Author: Damian Gorbunov

While kratom use leads to countless positive and beneficial effects, improper use or intake of products that have questionable quality can lead to experiencing kratom side effects.

Constipation is a common complaint among kratom users. It’s also possible to experience some nausea if you take a dose that is too large for your body’s needs.

But how about a fever? Can kratom cause fever? Or is it something else?

To understand if kratom and fever are related, we should first understand what kratom is and how it works.

What’s Kratom, and How Does It Work?

The Southeast Asian herb kratom or Mitragyna speciosa has its wealth of beneficial properties. These include strong and effective pain relief, relaxation, stress and anxiety relief, euphoria, increased energy, improved mood, and more.

These effects are due to the alkaloids in kratom. While current studies have identified a minimum of 25 alkaloids and 40 total beneficial compounds, most of these chemical compounds are in trace amounts. However, two active alkaloids are considerably more abundant and are responsible for most of the effects.

The alkaloids in kratom engage with the opioid receptors in the brain. This helps to produce increased levels of dopamine and manage pain. Yet, it happens in a way that does not engage proteins that form addictive behaviors.

As a result, kratom is, in a way, similar to decaf coffee. You can get the taste of coffee without it keeping you up at night.

Kratom provides the effects that you can expect from pain-killers like opioids, but without making you addicted. In fact, studies indicate that Mitragyna speciosa is about as addictive as its close cousin coffee, which considerably less addictive that the media paints it.

Kratom Side Effects

When it comes to using kratom, it’s important to take the right dose for your body. This, though, can vary on multiple factors such as age, weight, body-fat percentage, and more.

If you take a bit too much, especially if it’s white or green vein kratom, you may end up experiencing kratom side effects. Some of the most common ones include:

• constipation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• dry mouth,
• headache,
• stomach pain,
• reduced appetite, and
• drowsiness.

But how about a fever?

What Is a Fever?

A fever is a state when body temperature is higher than a person’s normal body temperature. While normal temperature can vary from one person to another, it is usually considered that a person has a fever if their body temperature rises above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.

Fever in itself is not a disease. Instead, it is a sign of the body fighting an infection or an illness. Infections are usually the main cause of fevers.

This happens when there are viruses and bacteria present in your system. Since they can survive without issues at normal body temperature, your body’s immune system activates fever to raise your body temperature, making it much harder for viruses and bacteria to survive.

Other causes of fever may be vaccines, cancer, certain medication like antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, and blood pressure medication, autoimmune diseases, or heat diseases.

Fevers that reach up to 105 degrees F or 40.55 degrees C don’t usually pose a threat to one’s life. They simply make one exhausted and weak.

Nonetheless, fevers that surpass 108 degrees F or 42.22 degrees C can possibly result in convulsions or death. Fever, in itself, does not cause death. But prolonged exposure to it can damage internal organs such as the brain and cause organ failure, which can lead to death.

This is why it is crucial to seek medical attention if your fevers keep rising.

With these details in mind, can kratom cause fever?

Can Kratom Cause Fever?

No, pure kratom cannot cause fever. However, there is a risk of getting exposed to something that may cause fever if you take kratom that is contaminated, adulterated, or improperly handled.

So, if kratom does not cause fever, why do some people feel feverish and sweaty after taking kratom?

That’s because Mitragyna speciosa interacts with opioid receptors in the brain in a very similar way to opioids. This can release mast cells, a type of cells that can trigger the same mechanism that causes regulation, heating up the body in the process.

As a result, your body will try to thermoregulate, resulting in sweats or hot flashes.

This I not the same as fever and is usually short-lived. The main reason for it is an excessive dose that your body is not ready for. While less commonly, this can also happen if you have been repeatedly taking extremely high doses, developed kratom tolerance, and abruptly stopped taking kratom, which may have resulted in withdrawal.

How to Not Feel Feverish and Sweaty after Taking Kratom

In order to not experience these side effects, you should take a dose that is adequate for your body and not exceed it. Here are a few extra tips you can follow to avoid feeling feverish after taking kratom:

1. Start with a Very Small Dose

This is especially true if you are rather new to kratom or are trying a new vendor. Since not all kratom has the same potency, you may not know how strong or not your powder is. Therefore, it’s always best to start off with a threshold kratom dose and gradually up it until you feel the desired effects.

If you have noticed that you have been repeatedly increasing your doses, however, it may be a good time to take a break from kratom to lower your tolerance and minimize withdrawal symptoms. If you aren’t ready to quit cold turkey, consider tapering off instead.

2. Measure Your Dose Using a Sensitive Digital Scale

Even a slight deviation from your normal dose can lead to experiencing side effects. If you dose kratom using a spoon, you don’t always know how many grams you take. With a sensitive digital scale, you can measure your dose precisely down to milligrams.

3. Keep a Kratom Diary

This is basically a log where you input your dosages, times of intake, and how you feel. While it may seem as something redundant, it can help you keep track of when you may be developing kratom tolerance as well as what may be causing your side effects.

4. Have Some Food in Your Stomach

While some kratom users take their dose on an empty stomach, others find it to be too much. You will learn what works best for you with some experimenting, it may be best to start off by taking kratom with or after some food. It will help your body break down the powder slower, making the onset of the effects smoother.

5. Hydrate Yourself

Drinking plenty of water will help your body replenish its water reserves if you sweat. In addition to that, it can help you prevent kratom constipation.

6. Buy High-Quality Kratom from Trusted Vendors

To avoid possible contamination and adverse effects, only select vendors whom you can trust. This will reduce the risks of kratom being improperly tested, contaminated, or laced with dangerous substances. If possible, look for vendors in states with a Kratom Consumer Protection Act in place.

Seek Medical Attention If Needed

If, however, you notice that your feverish sensation is not passing and your body temperature keeps rising, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. There is always a risk of kratom being contaminated with pathogens like Salmonella.

Have you ever experienced feverish sensations, hot flashes, or sweats after kratom? What caused it? How did you come with it?

With numerous kratom stores and products available, buyers are always looking to get the best value for their money. Selecting kratom that is fresh, potent, and consistent is one of the first steps to take.

However, sometimes, it is important for buyers to have their products last for as long as possible. This ensures that you don’t need to take a new dose for a longer period of time, keeping kratom tolerance low.

Additionally, those who need kratom throughout the day and may not feel comfortable preparing their next dose at work or don’t like taking kratom capsules can benefit from the longest-lasting kratom strains.

Regardless of what reason you have, we’ve prepared a list of the longest-lasting kratom strains and their most prominent effects to help you make an informed choice.

What Determines How Long-Lasting Kratom Strains Are?

Kratom is a herbal product that has its beneficial qualities and effects due to its alkaloids. Most of the effects are due to the primary and most abundant alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

However, there is a wealth of other alkaloids and chemicals that contribute to the full spectrum of the beneficial effects of kratom.

Depending on the kratom type, the combination of alkaloids and effects varies. These then determine the half-life and duration of kratom effects.

In general, white vein strains have lower qualities of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine and tend to last for a shorter duration of time.

Meanwhile, red vein strains are the opposite. They have higher levels of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine and also tent to last longer. However, greens are balanced and fall somewhere in between.

Yet, things aren’t as simple with kratom. Some strains can vary from other strains in their vein type and deliver different effects and duration. People’s experiences can also differ due to various factors.

Moreover, what one vendor offers can be completely different from what another offers in terms of quality, potency, and duration. So, we advise that you choose and stick with vendors who offer products that are consistent in quality. This way, you have the most chances to know what exactly to expect from each specific product.

Top 5 Longest-Lasting Kratom Strains

1.  Green Malay Kratom

Green Malay strain sports a fusion of pain-relieving and relaxing effects typical to reds and euphoric and mood-boosting properties you can expect from whites. Unlike reds, however, it doesn’t provide sedation, but instead relaxes and eases stress and anxiety, helping its user attain calm and steady focus.

In addition to those, Green Malay has long potency that allows its user to experience the effects for a longer period of time. It can last for an average of 5-8 hours.

Due to these reasons, high-quality Green Malay is a beneficial strain to take during the morning. Due to its long-lasting effects, it can help one get through an entire workday without requiring another dose.

2. Red Bali Kratom

A top-seller and user favorite, Red Bali is loved so much for a solid reason. It provides potent pain-relieving, relaxing, sedating, and euphoric effects.

Due to its strong soothing properties, Red Bali is best for the evening or nighttime. It can be extremely beneficial to take before going to bed. That’s because it can effectively ease pain, release stress and anxiety, ease tension, and improve the mood.

If you consistently have trouble sleeping through the night due to pain, stress, or conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome, you can also take Red Bali to improve the quality of your sleep.

Red Bali effects are long-lasting. You can rely on 5-7 hours of steady effects, yet a high-quality product can last up to 10 hours. This can allow you to experience a full night’s rest without needing to get up and get another dose.

3. Green Maeng Da

Another user favorite, Green Maeng Da was manufactured to be resilient, potent, and long-lasting. Through the process of grafting, farmers were able to achieve that Maeng Da retains the strongest properties of Indo and Thai kratom.

Similarly to Green Malay, Green Maeng Da offers a balanced mix of Pain-relieving and relaxing properties of the reds with the energizing and euphoric properties of the whites, making it an excellent daytime strain.

Green Maeng Da can last for as long as 8 full hours. However, you need to make sure that you buy a high-quality product for that to be true.

 4. Indo Kratom Strains

Red and Green Indo kratom, varieties native to Indonesia, are also among the longest-lasting kratom strains.

Similarly to other reds, Red Indo provides pain-relieving, sedating, and euphoric qualities, whereas Green Indo can ease pain, relax, as well as energize its users.

While the length of duration can vary from vendor to vendor, Indo strains tend to last for up to 8-10 hours.

5. White Borneo Kratom

Whites, on average, are the shortest lasting strains. Yet, if whites are your go-to variety, then White Borneo should be in your kratom inventory.

This highly energizing white can last for 3-5 hours, helping you ease through the first half of the day or an afternoon slump.

Final Words

Once again, keep in mind what not all kratom is exactly the same. Potency and duration vary by vendor, batch, season, and other factors, including the individual body of each user. To make sure that you are consistently getting the most of your kratom, always buy it from a well-established and trusted vendor.

Have you tried these strains? Would you agree with our selection? What are the longest-lasting kratom strains in your opinion?

Mental health is a growing concern among people in the western world. An increasing number of people are affected by conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and others.

Mental health conditions not only affect the way people feel, but also permeate in other areas of their life, such as relationships and work.

While some milder instances may go undetected, more severe cases of mental health conditions can even result in work disability. In fact, mental health conditions like stress anxiety and depression are some of the top reasons for work disability.

A common way of addressing mental health conditions is by prescribing medication. Even though this can result in positive short term results, long term implications are not well studied.

For instance, many psychiatrist don’t know when exactly they should stop prescribing antidepressants. Come down from them can also be problematic, not to mention the many negative side effects that prescription medications have.

Due to these issues, many people seek alternative and herbal medications and supplements to improve their overall wellbeing.

Kratom has been effective in improving depression symptoms, as well as alleviating stress and anxiety. So, you may be wondering if kratom can also be effective for PTSD. Let’s review the specifics and find out.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, for short, is a form of mental disorder. It triggers when a person goes through or witnesses a traumatic experience.

In many instances, it takes people an adjustment period following a traumatic experience. However, if, after a prolonged period of time, their symptoms worsen rather than improve and persist for weeks, months, or even years, seriously affecting different areas of their life, than it’s highly likely that they are suffering from PTSD.

Causes and Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD can result after experiencing or witnessing an intense traumatic event, such as a severe accident, natural disaster, terrorist act, war, combat, rape, sexual or violent assault. People who repeatedly experience traumatic experiences, abuse, live in war zones, or receive poor support are at a higher risk of developing this disorder.

PTSD can affect anyone regardless of their gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, or culture. However, data shows that women are twice more likely to develop PTSD than men. According to estimates, approximately 3.5 percent or one in each 11 Americans are diagnosed with the condition once in their lifetime.

People who suffer from PTSD often experience extreme fear and panic. These are similar to what they felt throughout the traumatic event. There are four main symptoms that a person with PTSD frequently experiences. These are:

• Reliving the traumatic experience: the person has unwanted and often recurring memories, flashbacks, or nightmares with vivid imagery. They may also have intense reactions, either emotional or physical, which include panic, heart palpitations, sweating, and more.
• Being extremely alert or wound up: the person has sleeping issues or outbursts of anger, feels irritable, or has a hard time concentrating. They can also startle easily and constantly be on the lookout for any signs of danger.
• Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event: the person may deliberately avoid any places, activities, people, thoughts, experiences, or feelings that may potentially bring back painful memories of the traumatic event.
• Feeling emotionally numb or very negative: the person may feel detached from their friends and family, feel emotionally numb, guilty, or inherently bad, and lose interest in daily tasks and activities which once used to bring pleasure.

Common PTSD Treatment Methods

In most instances, people with PTSD are recommended talking therapy. Common therapies include therapy cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or group therapy.

Nonetheless, sometimes medication is also used, usually in combination with talking therapy. Antidepressants are the most common type of medication prescribed for people with PTSD.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is an evergreen tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.  Throughout centuries, people have used it for a variety of reasons. That is because the leaves of kratom trees are abundant in alkaloids.

Since the alkaloid content differs depending on the type of the plant, kratom has different health benefits. These benefits include powerful pain relief, increased energy, relief from stress and anxiety, improved symptoms of depression, better sleep, a more positive mood, increased focus and productivity, and much more.

Many have also found relief from prescription medication and opioid addiction. For certain conditions and strong, resistant chronic pain, kratom can be more effective than regular pain medication.

Due you to these versatile benefits, millions of American people turn to kratom in order to improve their quality of life.

Can Kratom for PTSD Be Helpful?

At the moment, there are only limited official studies on kratom. However, various surveys and user reports have indicated positive experiences when taking kratom for PTSD.

The numerous benefits of kratom can address the symptoms of PTSD, making it easier to cope with and improving the quality of life.

How and What Types of Kratom for PTSD Can Be Beneficial?

1. Less Depressed Mood

Certain strains of kratom can be beneficial for improving the symptoms of depression that a person with PTSD may be experiencing. Green vein kratom such as Green Maeng Da, Green Malay, Green Hon Kratom, and other strains can be helpful in improving depression symptoms.

Since white vein kratom can make one more agitated, particularly in larger doses, people who’d like to take kratom for PTSD should better avoid white strains, especially if their symptoms are severe,

2. Increased Energy

Depression is often accompanied by low energy. Green vein kratom, as well as yellow kratom, can be excellent in helping a person with PTSD to feel more energetic and able to take on tasks that usually may seem hard or impossible.

3. Reduced Anxiety

Green, yellow, and red kratom strains help in reducing anxiety. They, however, act in a different way. Green and yellow kratom is energizing too. So, these types of kratom for PTSD may be more helpful during the day. In the meantime, red vein kratom is relaxing and sedating. Therefore, it is more suitable for the evening or at night.

4. Reduced Pain

If the person with PTSD also experiences pain and is taking opioid medication, kratom can be extremely helpful for them. Kratom is a strong pain reliever and one of its alkaloids, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is even more potent than morphine. Yet, kratom doesn’t have a fraction of the side effects than opioids have.

Red vein kratom strains are the strongest and can be good strains of kratom for PTSD for the later part of the day. During the day, green vein kratom and yellow kratom can be more beneficial. They aren’t as strong as red vein kratom. However, they are not sedating but energizing instead.

5. Improved Focus

Green vein kratom strains help one improve their focus and concentration. Together with reduced anxiety, green vein and yellow kratom can help a person of PTSD have better control of their thoughts.

6. Better Control of Negative Thoughts

Moderate kratom strains can be extremely helpful in stilling negative chatter and even make social situations easier. Therefore, green vein kratom for PTSD can be beneficial.

Have you tried taking kratom for PTSD? How has the experience been for you? Which strains of kratom do you find to be the most effective for PTSD?

Headaches are a common condition that can trouble anyone. They can range in intensity from mildly bothering to completely debilitating. While in many cases, headaches come and go, a great number of people suffer from intense headaches that don’t do away and are accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms such as nausea.

These intense chronic headaches are known as migraines. If you have come across sources suggesting the use of kratom for migraines and may be wondering how effective it is. Let’s explore the details and find out.

What Are Migraines?

Migraine headaches or migraines are a recurring form of headaches that range from moderate to severe in intensity. The pain is usually throbbing or pulsing and tends to occur on one side of the face. It is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.

Symptoms of Migraines

Migraines proceed in four different stages. Therefore, symptoms during each state may vary. Prodrome stage is the first one, and it may start a few days before the migraine headaches. The symptoms of this stage may include:

• Depression,
• Fatigue or decreased energy,
• Hyperactivity,
• Irritability,
• Mood swings,
• Frequent yawning,
• Constipation,
• Increasing thirst and bathroom breaks,
• Food cravings,
• Stiffness in the neck.

The next stage is aura. And it sets in after the prodrome stage. During the aura stage, a person may experience difficulties with speech, movement, and sensations. Some symptoms include:

• Seeing bright shapes, light flashes, or shapes,
• Temporary vision loss,
• Tingling or prickling sensation or weakness in the feel, hands, or face, likely a single side.
• Problems with having clear speech,
• Hearing sound or noises,
• Jerking movements that are difficult to control.

Next, comes the migraine attack stage. It can last for up to 72 hours unless treated. During the attack stage, the symptoms are:

• Intense and debilitating throbbing or pulsing pain on either one or both sides of the head,
• Sensitivity to light and possibly to sound, smell, and touch,
• Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting,

The last is the post-drome stage. It lasts for approximately a day, and the person usually feels:

• Drained or washed out,
• Confused,
• Pain after sudden movements of the head,
• Food cravings or lack of appetite,
• Elated or happy.

Causes of Migraines

Health professionals do not know the exact cause of migraines, yet they believe that it is genetic. In addition to those, a variety of factors can trigger migraines. While these can be rather personal and vary from one person to another, common ones include:

• Anxiety,
• Stress,
• Changes in hormone levels for women,
• Bright, flashing lights, light sounds, or strong smells,
• Certain medication or medication overuse,
• Excess sleep or sleep deprivation,
• Skipping meals,
• Physical over-exhaustion,
• Caffeine withdrawal,
• Smoking,
• Certain foods such as chocolate, certain fruits and nuts, aged cheese, fermented products, yeast, processed or cured meats, alcohol, and MSG (monosodium glutamate).

Some individuals have a higher risk of migraines than others. These include women, people with a family history of migraines, as well as those with health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders.

Common Migraine Treatment Methods

A cure for migraines does not currently exist. However, there are different ways in which symptoms can be relieved. These are:

• Medication like pain relievers, triptan drugs, and ergotamine drugs,
• Remaining in a dark room,
• Using ice packs,
• Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, exercise, and biofeedback,
• Identifying and eliminating migraine triggers,
• Hormone therapy if hormonal changes cause migraines,
• Weight loss can be helpful for individuals with obesity.

Can You Use Kratom for Migraines?

Kratom users report experiencing effects similar to stress and anxiety-relieving medication with pain-relieving properties, which result in diminishing the symptoms of migraine attacks. Therefore, kratom can absolutely be effective for migraine pain and symptom relief.

Which Are the Best Types of Kratom for Migraines?

Many users take kratom as a preventative for migraines and experienced reduced episodes as a result. If conditions like stress and anxiety trigger migraines for you, you may try alleviating those with kratom.

Green vein kratom and yellow kratom can be effective for migraine prevention during the daytime. They can provide mild relaxation and focus, helping with everyday tasks.

For migraine attacks, however, red vein kratom strains like Red Bali and Red Maeng Da are some of the user favorites. Others recommend white vein kratom for migraines since it has similar properties to caffeine and can help with energy and pain relief.

Since user preferences differ, it is best that you try a variety of strains and vein types. So, if you take a strain that makes your migraine worse, it may be a good option to try a different strain or vein type next time.

Additionally, a great number of those suffering from migraines are also deficient in magnesium. Therefore, it can be a good idea to supplement kratom with magnesium to potentiate kratom effects and prevent kratom constipation.

Precautions When Taking Kratom for Migraines

When taking kratom for migraines, especially if you prefer White, Green, and Yellow strains, make sure you take a precise kratom dose that you carefully measure with a digital scale. An excess dose can cause a kratom headache and make migraine symptoms worse.

Have you taken kratom for migraines? Which strains and vein types do you favor and why? Have any kratom strains made your migraine worse? Let us know which ones were they.

Yellow vein kratom may be something that you’ve noticed browsing through kratom sites. It’s a relatively new and rare addition that is slowly conquering the market. Generally, kratom classifies into three main types: red-vein, green-vein, and white-vein.

So, where does yellow vein kratom fit in? Let’s find out.

What Is Yellow Vein Kratom?

There’s a bit of debate and speculation about how this strain originates. Kratom farmers and harvesters aren’t keen on sharing all their secrets on how they produce it. And understandably so. If you knew the secret to making a life-changing herbal supplement that can help with a myriad of health conditions, would you easily expose it? Likely not.

Some suggest that yellow vein kratom comes from leaves picked at later stages of their life. According to them, that’s the reason behind the yellow hue.

Others claim that yellow strains are actually blends of the main kratom strains. These can also be blends that have been fermented. And, in some cases, that’s actually true.

Nonetheless, the most widespread opinion about the origins of yellow vein kratom is that it’s due to a different drying process. This means that any of the main three types of kratom can eventually become yellow vein.

This happens by drying red vein leaves for much longer than usual. Or drying green or white vein strains outdoors in the sun rather than indoors. Dried leaves may also be fermented afterward.

That eventually alters the color of the kratom leaves as well as alkaloid properties.

Let’s take a look at how that affects the effects and benefits that users receive.

Effects and Benefits of Yellow Vein Kratom

Most users report feeling similar effects to that of green kratom strains. They also tend to last longer. The most common effects include:

• Pain relief
• Stimulation
• Heightened concentration
• Euphoria
• Better mood
• Anxiety relief
• More positive thoughts
• Stress relief

Because of its effects, yellow vein kratom is best to take in the morning. It’ll give you an energy boost and make you more alert, yet not provide as sharp of a spike as white vein.

Because of this, yellow strains can be a suitable strain to start with the stimulant strains. Especially if you’ve never tried white strains before. It can also be a great way to ease into white strains if you’re looking for strong energizing and stimulating effects.

Yellow strains are also great to use at the beginning of the day because they’ll help you set a more positive mood for the rest of the day. This can be helpful for those suffering from stress and anxiety. Those suffering from depression may benefit from this variety as well.

Since kratom is a plant, its effects, and benefits, as well as their intensity, may vary from person to person. Factors such as your body chemistry, the age of kratom, when, where, and how it was harvested and processed can all affect the results.

Types of Yellow Vein Kratom and Their Effects

Since yellow vein is a newer addition to the kratom family, vendors usually have a more limited choice of the different types available. However, these are the most frequently encountered varieties:

Yellow Bali Kratom: It comes from Green or White Bali leaves. It provides sedating effects similar but less intense as those of Red Bali. And, it is also stimulating, but won’t give you as much boost as the White Bali. According to users, mood-boosting is its strongest quality.

Yellow Borneo Kratom: Depending on the vendor, it originates from the Red, White, or Green Borneo. Effects are similar to those of Green Borneo. It’s predominantly stimulating and euphoric, yet also possesses pain-relieving properties. Yellow Borneo users also report feeling more positive and motivated.

Yellow Sumatra Kratom: It’s one of the rarest of the yellow strains. That’s due to the scarcity of the Sumatra kratom trees available. Yellow Sumatra primarily provides euphoric and energizing effects. It boosts the mood and overall well-being as well as increases energy and lowers stress levels. Users also report feeling fewer mood swings.

Yellow Indo Kratom: This strain provides strong euphoric and mild stimulating effects. It also mildly relieves pain, though this varies by person. It is one of the most long-lasting strains and users also say that it has a particularly good aroma.

Yellow Malay Kratom: It offers mild pain-relieving effects that users describe as subtle and homeopathic. Yellow Malay is also stimulating and energizing. But, in steadier and less intense bursts than white or green vein. You’ll likely be more creative and productive. Yet, you’ll have an easier time once the effects start wearing off.

Yellow Vietnam Kratom: This strain is the new kid on the kratom block and the most recent addition. It originates from Vietnam, mainly from the forests around the Mekong Delta. The area where the kratom trees grow has high humidity levels and nutrient-dense soil. Due to that, leaves that Yellow Vietnam strain comes from are believed to have 20-25% higher alkaloid content than other kratom plants. Its effects are similar to those of Red Vietnam and Maeng Da, but more stimulating and euphoric. Yellow vein provides physical relaxation and relieves anxiety. Users also say that they feel more motivated and think clearer. It’s also one of if not the most long-lasting kratom strain available.

Yellow vein strains are rather new, yet highly popular and demanded. Make sure you purchase through a trusted and reputable vendor. That will ensure that you buy a quality product and don’t end up with low quality or fake yellow strain.

If you are unsure of which strain to start with and whether yellow vein is for you, order and try samples first. You’ll not only be able to see whether it’s the right strain for you, but also find out which of its varieties suits your needs best. You’ll be able to personally evaluate how it makes you feel without the compromise of buying a bigger bulk that you may never use up.

Have you ever give yellow strains a shot? How did it make you feel? Which one would you like to try and why?

We’d like to hear your opinions on and experiences with yellow vein kratom.

Coffee is extremely popular; it’s actually one of the world’s most popular drinks. For many, it has become a staple of their everyday life. As a matter of fact, in the USA, people drink more coffee than any other type of drink. Even bottled water and soda.

Chances are that you are one of the numerous American coffee lovers. And you also love kratom. So, what can you do about it? Can you combine your two favorite drinks and mix kratom and caffeine?

Let’s take a closer look at both first.

The Similarities between Kratom and Coffee

Origins                                                

Both kratom and coffee come from the Rubiaceae (coffee) family, basically, making them cousins. That is largely the reason why kratom and caffeine can have similar effects.

Bitter Taste

Both are frequently described as bitter. Therefore, people usually prefer mixing them with something else, such as milk and sweetener with coffee or lemon and sweetener with kratom.

Effects on the Body

Coffee has positive effects on the body. And there are multiple studies to back that up. Moderate intake of coffee has the potential to lower the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and heart disease, as well as Type 2 Diabetes and liver cirrhosis.

Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer from depression or commit suicide, as well as have an easier time to recover from workouts. They also have stronger DNA, live longer, and are even easier to work with.

These are excellent reasons to add coffee to your everyday diet. But how about kratom?

While studies on kratom are not nearly as extensive, it too has a wealth of health benefits. Existing research proves kratom more effective against opium addiction than medicinal drugs. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, enhances immunity, and helps manage pain.

Both Are Claimed to Be Addictive

Both are frequently labeled as addictive. Kratom is even claimed to be by some an addictive drug. However, studies show that kratom is no more addictive than coffee.

While coffee is often labeled addictive, it’s more habitual than anything else. People often socialize while drinking coffee which is pleasurable and may encourage them to have another cup.

Coffee also contains substances that enhance the flavor of anything else that it is consumed with which often are sugar, milk, and pastry. So, if you’re eating a chocolate muffin along with a cup of coffee, it’ll taste better.

This makes the whole coffee drinking experience even more pleasurable. And who doesn’t like pleasurable things?

Do, however, keep in mind that both kratom and caffeine can result in an alkaloid buildup in the system. It can happen if you consume them regularly and not leave enough time between intakes to let the alkaloids leave the system. This may cause tolerance. Yet, tolerance and addiction are not one and the same.

Side Effects

It’s possible to experience side effects when taking both kratom and caffeine. With coffee, these can be insomnia, agitation, nervousness, as well as nausea, vomiting, and faster or irregular heartbeat.

Whereas kratom can cause an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, and disrupt your sleep cycles. When it comes to kratom, the nature of the side effects will also depend on individual strains.

The Differences between Kratom and Coffee

Varieties and Different Effects

There are over 100 different species of coffee, Arabica and Robusta being the two most popular ones. However, they all have the same effect – stimulant.

It’s slightly different with kratom. There are three main vein types that are natural – red, green, and white. But kratom also comes in a variety of strains. Each vein type is responsible for different effects, and even the effects of each strain in the same vein category can be different.

There are also other trees in the Mitragyna family that are similar to kratom, yet do not produce the same effects.

Potency

The strength of kratom effects by far surpasses those of coffee. When it comes to their length, then they are similar on average. The effects of caffeine usually last 4-6 hours while those of kratom – 5-6 hours. However, there are strains such as Red Sumatra kratom that can last up to 10 hours.

Legality and Availability

While coffee is legal and widely available anywhere in the world, kratom is not. It’s banned in multiple countries such as New Zealand and Australia and listed as a controlled substance in others, such as Russia and Sweden.

In the United States, with the exception of certain states and countries, kratom is legal. You can view our kratom legality map here.

However, kratom legality in the US comes with restrictions. It can only be sold if it’s not labeled as a dietary supplement. What does that mean? That you can legally sell it for making products such as soap and body butter, but not as a dietary supplement.

Yet, it’s worth pointing out that coffee has gone through similar scrutiny in the past. It was banned for periods of time in certain locations such as Italy and Mecca. So, possibly (and hopefully), kratom will be properly regulated and freely available in the future. Same as coffee is today.

Dosage

While you shouldn’t take too much coffee, it’s easier to measure the right dose of caffeine. In places like coffee shops, coffee doses are standard.

On the other hand, kratom is a lot more sensitive in that regard. Not every dose will suit everyone, nor will it affect everyone in the same way. You need to carefully measure your dose using a sensitive scale or you risk experiencing kratom side effects.

Can You Mix Kratom and Caffeine?

There is no definite answer to whether you can mix kratom and caffeine or not. You can, and many people swear by it. But it will ultimately depend on you, your needs, and how your body responds to it.

How to Take Kratom and Coffee?

The method that works best or you will too depend on your lifestyle and preferences. There are a few ways of combining kratom and caffeine.

Mixing Kratom and Coffee

Some users prefer mixing them both together into one drink. To do so, brew coffee and make kratom tea. Then, strain the kratom tea and mix it into your coffee. If the taste is too much for you, try adding a sweetener to the mix. Many users suggest stevia.

Keep in mind though that you should not be using your regular kratom dose for that. Especially if you take the fast strains, e.g., white vein kratom. It may make you jittery and the whole experience may be unpleasant.

Lower your usual dose by approximately half. If that does not deliver the desired results, try gradually upping it.

Taking Kratom and Caffeine Separately

Another popular way is taking them both separately. Users take kratom tea or toss and wash and about 30 minutes later drink coffee. Though less common, some prefer taking coffee before kratom. Experiment and see what feels best for you.

Alternating Kratom and Caffeine

If you take white or green vein kratom for stimulating effects, you can use coffee as a substitute for kratom. For instance, you can take kratom on one day and coffee on another, or skip a day of kratom a few times a week and take coffee instead.

Coffee may not provide the same effect as kratom, but it will help you to keep your tolerance down. You’ll be able to give your body some time to reset and expel kratom alkaloids out of your system.

Which Strains of Kratom to Take with Coffee?

Taking Coffee and Fast Strains

White vein kratom and green strains are stimulating. And so is coffee. Taking both together may result in too much stimulation. You may feel your heart rate go up or become irregular. You may feel jittery, restless, or nauseous.

To avoid that, lower your usual kratom dose. I advise starting with half of what you usually take. You can always adjust the dose later if you feel that that’s not enough.

Taking Coffee and Slow Strains

Slow strains, such as most red vein ones, are usually taken in larger doses. They have relaxing and painkilling effects. However, larger doses can be sedative and put you to sleep. If you need strong pain relief in the morning, you may be feeling sleepy during the working hours.

How can you keep your productivity up? By taking coffee. Some users like to use slow kratom strains with coffee because they get the potency of the slow strains yet stay alert because of the coffee.

Are you taking kratom and caffeine? Which method do you prefer? Is your method not included? Feel free to share it with us.

While kratom has numerous beneficial effects, some people have noticed that kratom effects are different during periods or influence their sex drive. So, they start wondering whether kratom affects their hormones.

Studies on Kratom and Hormones

The popularity of kratom is rapidly rising. Nonetheless, various institutions are not in favor of kratom. As a result, at this time, there are only limited studies on kratom and its alkaloids.

There is a lot that we do not yet know about this Southeast Asian herb yet. However, this may soon change. NIDA (The National Institute on Drug Abuse) awarded the US College of Pharmacy with two grants worth $6.9 million.

For a total of 7 years, the US College of Pharmacy will study the effects of individual kratom alkaloids on the human brain as well as their effects when working together. This will provide us with reliable information that will show the capabilities of the herb on a much larger scale.

Why the US College of Pharmacy, and Will the Results Be Reliable?

It’s not a secret that the FDA wants kratom banned, though its motivations are not absolutely clear. A few years ago, the FDA produced its own algorithm stating that kratom is an opioid.

This biased finding met with backlash. The American Kratom Association requested the FDA to provide a thorough 8-Factor Analysis to demonstrate how the herb and its alkaloids are dangerous effects. Yet, it had not occurred. However, since 2016, when the DEA made an announcement to ban kratom, both the FDA and NIDA have changed their narrative. They no longer refer to kratom as an opioid but rather a drug with opioid-like properties.

When it comes to the NIDA grants, the research is lead by Christopher McCurdy. In the early 2000s, he pioneered research on kratom and has been one of the leading experts on kratom ever since.

He has a profound interest in kratom and has also indicated that he prefers to remain impartial and follow the science. Because of that, he has never tried kratom himself.

So, it’s safe to assume that the results of his work will provide reliable results.

Yet, there is still much time left until we are going to learn about the results of these studies.  So, let’s take a look at the existing studies on kratom and hormones as well as on user experience and recommendations.

Does Kratom Affect Hormones

Keep in mind that kratom is not yet thoroughly studied. As a result, many people tend to attribute unexplained outcomes to kratom. However, that does not necessarily mean that kratom is the cause. Our hormonal systems are complex, and medications, supplements, and other substances that you may be taking can have an effect on your hormones rather than kratom.

Kratom and Testosterone

Low testosterone can not only affect males. In females, low testosterone can result and reduced libido and low sex drive.

You may have come across people or sources indicating the connection between kratom and low hormone testosterone levels. Yet, that isn’t actually proof that kratom actually lowers testosterone levels.

What does affect testosterone is opioids. Studies prove that long-term opioid use is linked to low hormone testosterone levels. Opioids negatively affect the release of chemicals that trigger the production of testosterone.

Yet, kratom is not an opioid, and it interacts with the opioid receptors in our brain differently than opioids do.

Moreover, a study in Malaysia lead by Darshan Singh, another person who studies kratom and has appeared in the documentary A Leaf of Faith, investigated the effects of regular consumption of kratom tea on hormone testosterone levels.

The study followed 19 kratom tea drinkers over a period of over two years. Kratom use had no effects on their testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSL), or luteinizing hormone (LH).

Keep in mind though that if one is taking kratom to curb their opioid use, they may have low testosterone levels resulting from prolonged opioid use.

Other factors can lower testosterone, too, such as:

• Intake of soy products – soy contains phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that resemble estrogen,
• High dairy intake – dairy contains cow hormones and cows may have been fed soy products which can result in dairy containing hormones such as estrogen,
• Smoking,
• Excessive weight and obesity,
• Alcohol,
• Mint,
• Licorice root,
• Diabetes,
• Marijuana use,
• Medication such as prescription opioids,
• The onset of menopause,
• Aging, and
• Sedentary lifestyle.

Therefore, it is important to examine your health and condition as a whole before attributing low testosterone hormone levels to kratom.

Kratom and Estrogen

No studies currently isolate the effect of kratom on the hormone estrogen. Nonetheless, estrogen production is connected to FSH and LH mentioned in the section above. According to current studies, kratom does not affect either one of them.

Since nothing currently indicates a link between kratom and hormones, it’s important to approach hormonal issues holistically.

As with testosterone, there are various factors that can affect estrogen levels, such as:

• Aging,
• Hormonal issues such as PCOS and ovarian cysts,
• Excessive exercise,
• Low progesterone levels,
• Extreme dieting,
• Eating disorders, and
• Pituitary gland disorders.

Since hormonal disorders are usually complex, it’s important to test their levels to see what needs to be balanced.

Have you experienced any issues with your hormones? Do you think kratom is affecting your hormones? Are there other issues that you experience?

While you may have an easy time answering how long the effects of coffee last, it’s not as easy to say it when it comes to kratom. Even though both come from the same plant family.

The reason for that is the numerous kratom alkaloids and their different half-lives and effects on the body. Because of that kratom half-life and duration can drastically differ between different strains.

There are also other factors such as your age that may influence how long kratom lasts.

To understand kratom half-life and duration, let’s first look at how kratom works.

How Does Kratom Work?

There are over 40 different active components in kratom, and many yet need to be studied and even identified. However, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are two of the most prominent kratom alkaloids that are responsible for most of the kratom’s effects.

Mitragynine is the most prominent of the alkaloids in kratom. It’s responsible for kratom’s stimulating and pain killing effects. That’s why it’s more abundant in the green vein and white vein strains. Taken in smaller doses mitragynine is stimulating, while in larger doses it’s more relaxing.

7-hydroxymitragynine is primarily sedating and analgesic. Therefore, it’s most abundant in red vein stains. It’s pain-relieving effects are stronger than those of mitragynine and even morphine.

Kratom alkaloids bind with the opioid receptors in the brain. This is one of the reasons for the arguments against kratom. Yet, kratom does not work in the same way as opioids and does not cause respiratory depression that can result in death.

What Is Kratom Half-Life?

Half-life is a term used to describe the length of time that the effects of any substance diminish by half. That is when one can feel the strongest effects of that substance.

Kratom-half life depends on the half-life of each of its alkaloids. And since their concentration varies in different types of kratom, the half-life of different strains will vary as well.

It’s been determined that the half-life of mitragynine is 3.85 +/- 1 hour. This signifies that it takes approximately 4-5 hours for the effects of mitragynine to wear off by half.

In the meantime, the half-life of 7-hydroxymitragynine is 2.5 +/- 0.7 hours. This means that the effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine diminish by half in about 2.5-3 hours. This is one of the main reasons why kratom users prefer to take 7-hydroxymitragynine-rich strains in smaller doses several times a day.

The Duration of Different Kratom Veins and Strains

It takes about 10-15 minutes on average for kratom to take effects. It may be longer for some strains or if you take kratom capsules. The effects will also kick in sooner if you take kratom on an empty stomach. After a meal, it may take up to an hour.

However, be careful about taking kratom on an empty stomach. Your body may not take it as well, especially if you are new to kratom.

The peak of the effects is generally reached 1.5 or 2.5 hours after taking kratom.

Typically, some green vein strains can last the longest (up to 8 hours). The duration of red vein strains is about 6 hours. Meanwhile, white vein strains last for the shortest period of time – around 4 hours.

But, don’t strictly rely on these numbers. Keep in mind that the effects will vary from strain to strain as well as based on the specifics of your body.

Kratom Duration: How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?

While kratom half-life and effects will last for approximately 4-8 hours, this does not mean that kratom will have left your system this quickly. Kratom alkaloids still remain in your body even when you no longer feel their effects.

On average it takes about 24 hours for your body to flush out most of the kratom alkaloids. Yet, according to different studies in can take up to 5 or 6 days for your body to completely eliminate.

Kratom can still show on different tests even days after taking it. For instance, blood tests can detect it for 3-4 days while urine tests – for up to 7 days.

This is why kratom tolerance can develop after regular kratom use. To avoid it, we advise taking days off, alternating kratom strains, or taking longer breaks. Doing so can help make sure that the body does not create alkaloid buildup and you do not need to up your dose to feel the same effects.

If you notice that the same dose no longer works for you, it may be a good idea to make some changes in how you take kratom.

Factors that Influence How Long Kratom Effects Last

Kratom alkaloid half-life is not the only factor that affects kratom duration and half-life. There are other factors that also can influence it.

Genetics

Not each body is made the same way. You may have enzymes and other genetic factors that may make you capable of processing kratom faster.

Age

Older people generally have a slower elimination system. That happens due to a slower kidney function and other age-related changes in the body.

Because of that, older people will need longer for alkaloids to leave their system. That happens not only with kratom but any other substance, such as herbal supplements and medication.

Body Composition

We’ve observed that people will lower body fat percentage, for instance, athletes may be more sensitive to kratom. They may need a smaller dose and may start feeling kratom effects sooner.

Another factor to consider is that mitragynine is fat-soluble. This means that it can be absorbed by your body fat and stay in your system longer. If you have less body fat, kratom cannot be stored in your fat and your body will be able to flush it sooner.

Diet

You already know that kratom effects set in sooner if you take it on an empty stomach. The type of food that you eat and how much water you drink can affect kratom half-life and duration as well.

If you take kratom with a fatty meal, the fat in your food can help absorb kratom faster. Thus you’ll experience the effects sooner as well.

Your water intake will determine how long kratom alkaloids stay in your body. The more water you drink, the sooner you’ll be able to flush out kratom through your urine.

Can You Extend Kratom Duration and Half-Life?

There are different kratom potentiators that can make kratom effects stronger and longer. Some of these include citrus fruits and turmeric. Also, make sure that you store kratom properly so that it retains its potency.

Which kratom strain are you taking? How long is it’s duration and half-life?