Chronic pain is a disability affecting over 20% of adults in the United States. Pain restricts you from living the life you love and can lead to a reduction in your overall health, physically and mentally. The high cost of health care and the sweeping prevalence of chronic pain has led many people straight into the hands of an opioid epidemic.

Opiates, like codeine and morphine, are prescribed for pain management. But when the pain is chronic, it can also mean the use of opiates is too. Long-term opiate usage leads to dependency as your body becomes unable to function without the drug.

Herbal medicines, like kratom, are making headway as viable pain management alternatives to dangerous, addictive opioids. If you’re looking to use this botanical, we’re here with a comprehensive guide that details the best kratom for pain, how it works, and the most reputable vendors to purchase from.

Best Kratom Strains For Pain Relief

Kratom is a plant native to countries in Southeast Asia, where it’s been used as medicine for centuries. It gained popularity among laborers seeking to relieve their pain after long days of work.

As word of kratom’s pain-relieving properties spread, the plant made its way across the world. There are now over 16 million users of the plant in the United States today.

The vein color categorizes strains on the leaf, which changes depending on the plant’s maturity:

• Red vein kratom are known for their ability to relax the body and mind. These veins are great muscle relaxers, and certain red veins are sedating and can help insomnia.

• White vein kratom are considered a stimulant with mood-enhancing properties. These help with focus and cheerfulness.

• Green vein kratom are often referred to as a blend between red veins and white veins. It’s where those new to kratom tend to start. These enhance concentration, ease anxiety, and alleviate general pain.

As you read our list of the best kratom strains for pain relief below, keep in mind that red veins tend to be the best.

Maeng Da Kratom

Maeng Da kratom is one of the most potent strains available. Maeng Da is a single strain created from a blending of standard strains through a farming technique known as grafting.

Grafting joins two plants together, creating a single plant that has traits from the parent plants. Its growing conditions are carefully monitored to ensure users get a robust yet stable outcome.

This strain is equipped with a high alkaloid content, between 1.5 to 1.7 times higher than other strains. The abundance of these alkaloids is what makes Maeng Da so coveted among consumers.

Maeng Da comes in three different veins — red, green, and white. If you’re new to the kratom community, it’s best to start with the green vein. It’s potent but less so than the red and white veins, so you’ll be able to monitor how your body responds to such a strong vein.

However, if you want maximum pain relief, go with red.

Benefits of Maeng Da Kratom

• Can ease anxiety and stress caused by flare-ups
• Potent pain reliever
• Uplifts energy and boosts mood

Maeng Da kratom proves to be a viable option for people who’re suffering from uncontrollable or unpredictable pain from illnesses ranging from fibromyalgia to cancer.

Red Bali Kratom

Red Bali hails from Indonesia, namely the island of Bali. It was one of the first strains introduced in the United States and remains one of the most popular. It’s renowned for its relaxing, analgesic effects.

With Red Bali, you’ll receive 3 to 6 hours of pain relief, plus a slight boost in your overall mood. The alkaloids in this strain make it one of the best kratom variants for pain relief. Due to its sedative nature, Red Bali is recommended for evening usage. Users will experience a comfortable night’s rest free of chronic aches.

Benefits of Red Bali Kratom

• Relief from nighttime chronic pain flare-ups
• Potent, long-lasting painkiller
• Full body relaxant

Red Bali is the best kratom for pain that flares up at the end of the day or overnight. Its sedative effect will guide you through a comfortable, pain-free sleep.

Red Borneo Kratom

Red Borneo is undoubtedly among the best kratom for pain relief. It’s favored for being an excellent painkiller and anxiety-reliever. Those who suffer from joint pain or muscular disease find Red Borneo supremely useful. And thanks to its ability to relax your body and mind, it’s effective in combating migraines or stress-related tension.

Red Borneo is less sedative than other red veined strains, so users can still reap its benefits during the day. It’s recommended to take it first thing in the morning.

Benefits of Red Borneo Kratom

• Relief against joint and muscular pain
• Stress reliever
• Can be used during the day

This is an excellent strain for joint pain, like gout or osteoarthritis, especially if you experience daytime flares up. With Red Borneo, you’ll still be able to enjoy easygoing social situations without worrying about debilitating aches.

How Does Kratom Work For Pain?

Our pain receptors are an expansive network spread through our entire body. These pain receptors (nociceptors) notice the external stimuli and send a message to our brains, translating the message and responding appropriately.

Chronic pain is divided into two different categories:

• Inflammatory Pain: Pain that stems from muscles, bones, skin, internal organs, or other physical parts of our body. Examples are a sprained ankle or osteoarthritis.
• Neuropathic Pain: Pain caused by injury or disease of nerve tissue. It can manifest in a stinging, sharp, or burning sensation and is typically sensitive to touch or movement.

How can a plant like a kratom help either of these issues? The short answer is alkaloids.

To provide some in-depth insight, alkaloids known as 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine bind to the kappa, mu, and delta-opioid receptors in our bodies. This invites a release of endorphins that provide swift and significant relief against pain. And while these alkaloids bind with our opioid receptors, it results in a much different interaction than opioids like morphine.

Morphine and codeine have gnarly side effects (like difficulty breathing) that result from an additional chemical reaction. Kratom skips this reaction, therefore bypassing the extreme side effects narcotic painkillers have.

The plant helps with pain relief for the following conditions:

• Neuropathy
• Migraines
• Pulled muscles
• Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Autoimmune disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Malignancies
• Multiple Sclerosis
• And more

Kratom comes in many forms and can be consumed in a variety of ways.

The versatile nature of this plant extends to how it can be taken. Whether you prefer the tactile approach of brewing herbal tea or the convenience of taking a capsule, you’re covered. Some popular ways of taking it for pain management are:

• Chewing kratom leaves (heads up — the leaves have a bitter taste)
• Brewing tea (from leaves or powder)
• Drinking liquid kratom
• Mixing kratom powder into a drink (water, juice, a smoothie, coffee, anything you’d like)
• Taking a kratom capsule (you can purchase premade ones or make them yourself using the powder)

No matter your preference of consumption, you’ll still receive fast-acting pain relief.

As with all medications, be sure to monitor your dosage.

Dosage varies from person to person, and factors like age, height, and weight should be considered when figuring out what’s best for you. But the general rule of thumb is to start low and gradually increase until you find what works.

Starting with too high a dosage results in an increased tolerance, which may render the plant less effective than desired. High tolerance can lead to irresponsible dosing, which may result in an overdose. To avoid these instances, it’s essential to measure out and record what you’re taking accurately.

First-time users should start between 2 and 3 grams. Give yourself an hour to see how your body responds. If you find it working, there’s no need to take more. If you don’t see your desired results, then take an additional gram. Do not increase your dosage more than a gram at a time. To accurately monitor your results, write down how your body responds to the specific dosages you take.

Scientific Studies on Kratom

Studies are still being done to solidify kratom as a certified analgesic, but heaps of evidence point to this plant being useful for pain management.

A scientific study done by the ACS Scientific Journal in 2019 already confirms mitragynine (the alkaloid present in kratom) is on par with narcotic painkillers but with far fewer side effects.

As with any herbal medicine, there has been some pushback from those unfamiliar with its history and rich benefits. But testimonials from kratom consumers around the world sing the praises of this mighty botanical. And there’s a reason kratom has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia — it works.

Where to Buy the Best Kratom for Pain

Buying kratom can be challenging. With so many different online vendors on the market, it can be hard to determine the best place to purchase legitimate products from reliable distributors.

We wanted to lend a helping hand. So we searched far and wide for the best vendors based on product quality, shipping, reputation, and price.

Save yourself hours of research and read on for three awesome places where you can buy kratom.

Kona Kratom

If you’re looking for an impressive selection at reasonable prices, Kona Kratom has you covered. The number of strains they offer is insane. In fact, it’s kind of shocking.

Their story is inspiring. Kona Kratom built their business by partnering with acclaimed farmers throughout Asia to bring consumers only the best products. Their techniques combine tried-and-true traditional harvesting practices with state-of-the-art technology. Oh, and everything is lab-tested for your benefit.

They’re a proud member of the American Kratom Association (AKA), meaning they’re at the top of the vendor class.

Key Takeaways:

• Free shipping within the United States
• Same-day shipping, M-F, for orders made before 4:00 pm PST
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• No hassle returns
• Strong relationships with Asian farmers
• Member of American Kratom Association

Star Kratom

Need your kratom quickly? Then Star Kratom is the vendor for you.

They’re a forward-thinking brand in every way. Their operations are near a major shipping hub, meaning they conduct multiple order drops each day, with the goal being to get customer’s orders out on the next flight.

The result? Star Kratom is consistently arriving 2-3 days quicker than any other vendor.

Their customer service is also top-notch because they’re so confident in what they’re selling. Don’t like what you’ve ordered? Not a problem because you can make use of their straightforward money-back guarantee.

They’ve only been on the market since early 2020. Regardless, they’ve still made a name for themselves despite a poor economy and the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

• Super fast delivery
• Boutique-style, family-run business
• Excellent selection
• Third-party tested on all products
• 100% Money-back guarantee
• Member of American Kratom Association

VIP Kratom

VIP Kratom is a vendor that offers only the finest kratom on the market.

Sure, their prices may be a bit higher. And sure, you may be able to find other vendors that offer some of their products at similar quality standards. But VIP Kratom stands out because all its products are A-grade. All of them.

Even though their product list is smaller than other vendors we’ve mentioned, it’s a testament to their company motto — if they can’t find the best, they won’t sell it. Because their quality is so top-shelf, they deserve recognition from buyers who are after the finest possible options on the market.

Key Takeaways:

• Great customer service
• Premium products
• Free U.S. shipping on orders $49.99 and over
• A 30-day satisfaction guarantee for their customers
• Member of American Kratom Association

Conclusion — Using Kratom for Pain

As more people seek alternative medicine, they are finding how groundbreaking this plant is. It is an excellent pain reliever, stimulating mood enhancer, and general anxiety-reducer. The minimal side effects and the low chance of addiction solidify it as a viable solution to opiate addiction and chronic pain management.

All in all, it’s hard to go wrong with kratom. With this guide and our well-rounded vendor list, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect option for your pain management.