Types of Kratom and Their Effects

Kratom comes in a variety of different strains, each of which can have different effects. In this article we explore the different types of Kratom, their associated benefits, and learn more about which type of Kratom has the effects that are right for you!
Featured image depicting an array of Happy Hippo Brand kratom powder, in glass jars. Labels include: White Horned Rhino, White Bali, Red Bali, and Red Maeng Da kratom powder. Among the glass jars is a single 4oz packet of Green Maeng Da kratom powder.
January 14, 2022
3 Comments
6 min read

If you’re reading this article, that means you’ve heard of Kratom and you’re curious to learn more about it. And we’re happy to help! 

If you don’t know who we are… Happy Hippo Herbals is a small, family owned business who’s extremely passionate about Kratom. We’ve spent years studying and advocating for Kratom because we believe natural botanicals are essential to humanity. 

Before we dive in, we’d like to formally say that although Kratom is federally legal in the United States, the substance is not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). We would like you to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of Kratom, they should only serve as a piece of information - not medical advice. 

Kratom is not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions.

 

Where Do the Different Types of Kratom Come From?

Kratom comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa plant - an evergreen tree that grows freely in Southeast Asia. The leaves of the Kratom tree are very special. They’ve been used for generations by the indigenous people in the area. The plant contains over 40 different alkaloids, but the two most outstanding are Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. 

These alkaloids produce a variety of effects for the user. The effects are dependent on the exact combination of the active alkaloids in a given strain. Plants grown in different regions produce different alkaloid profiles due to the nutrients in the soil, conditions in which it’s grown, and other important factors. These variables result in various types of Kratom that offer differing effects. And there are quite a few different types. They are categorized by color, origin, and speed.

Within this article, we are going to talk about the different types of Kratom and how they can benefit you. We hope this information will help you develop a deeper understanding of Kratom. However, if you’re looking for more advice, feel free to contact us directly at: help@happyhippo.com

Let’s begin! 


What Do the Different Vein Colors Mean?

Imagine yourself standing in front of a magnificent Kratom tree. The tree is mature and well cared for. It stands about 40 feet tall and it’s covered in beautiful green leaves. If you were to examine the leaves closely, you’ll notice prominent veins that delicately web across the span of the leaf. 

These veins change color as they age. The colors indicate the concentration of alkaloids during its various stages of growth, which in turn helps farmers determine when it’s optimal harvest time. The four vein colors are: White, Red, Green and Yellow. 

The effects the user experiences from Kratom are subjective from person to person, but each vein color is associated with unique benefits. The benefits are similar, but different alkaloid profiles offer varying results. 

 

Photographic image broken into 3 distinctive panels, each of which display a batch of kratom leaves. In the first panel are white vein kratom leaves, in the second panel are red vein kratom leaves, and in the 3rd panel are green vein kratom leaves. The image is intended to show the difference between the various vein colors found in kratom leaves.

White Vein Kratom

The youngest leaves reside on the bottom branches of the Kratom tree and have white colored veins. White Vein strains tend to have the highest concentration of Mitragynine and the lowest concentration of 7-Hydroxymitragynine. The high levels of Mitragynine create stimulating effects. White Vein Kratom strains are best known for their energizing/motivational benefits. 


Popular White Vein Kratom Strains:

  • White Maeng Da

  • White Borneo

  • White Thai

  • White Bali
  •  

    Green Vein Kratom

    Green Vein leaves are middle-aged and they reside in the center branches. These leaves are slightly older, so the alkaloids are slightly more potent and mature. Some of the Mitragynine has broken down and been converted into a slightly higher concentration of 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Green Vein Kratom strains are associated with balanced effects. The balance lies between energy and relaxation. These strains are great for beginners because they aren’t too extreme.


    Popular Green Vein Kratom Strains:

  • Green Maeng Da

  • Green Malay

  • Green Bali

  • Green Borneo
  •  

    Red Vein Kratom

    The oldest and most mature Kratom leaves have beautiful, deep red colored veins. They reside all the way at the top of the tree. These strains have a moderate amount of Mitragynine and elevated levels of 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Since the concentration of alkaloids is much higher, the effects provide heavy relaxation and soothing properties. Red Vein Kratom strains work great for individuals who want relief from physical discomfort.


    Popular Red Vein Kratom Strains:

  • Red Maeng Da

  • Red Bali

  • Red Borneo

  • Red Horn


  • Yellow Vein Kratom

    Yellow Kratom strains are the only strain who’s vein color doesn’t come from age. Instead, the yellow hue of the veins comes from a special drying process that takes place after the leaves have been harvested. They are rare and provide a distinct resonation! These strains typically have enhanced mood balancing properties, but overall the effects are pretty balanced - similar to Green Vein Kratom strains. 


    Popular Yellow Vein Kratom Strains:

  • Yellow Maeng Da

  • Yellow Vietnam

  • Yellow Borneo

  • Yellow Bali
  •  

    What are Kratom Speeds?

    As mentioned above, there are several ways you can differentiate Kratom strains to find what works for you. 

    Strains are most commonly organized by color or origin. Some vendors will say that Red strains are for relaxation and White strains are for motivation. However, Happy Hippo believes that it’s not so “black and white” and that you can go even deeper when classifying strains. That is why we are a big advocate for Kratom Speeds (Fast, Moderate, or Slow)! 

    Speeds help Kratom Newbies better understand what effects a certain strain will provide without being too focused on the vein color or origin. 

    Fun Fact: Happy Hippo developed this method of classification and we’re one of the only Kratom vendors that associate speed with Kratom effects. 

    Fast Speed Kratom

  • Fast = Energy 
  • Fast Speed Kratom supports a productive lifestyle by sparking energy, motivation, and mental effinciency (focus). Some Fast strains are much more physically energizing while others provide better mental stimulation. 

    For example, White Maeng Da (Rockstar Hippo) gives ample physical energy and it’s a great strain to take before the gym. On the other hand, Green Sunda (Jolly Green Hippo) is all about mental energy. It greases your brain gears and brings focus/concentration. However, both strains provide an excellent mood boost that leaves you feeling refreshed and animated! 

    All in all, if you’re looking for a boost in mental/physical energy - Fast strains will certainly be your cup of tea! 

    Moderate Speed Kratom

  • Moderate = Balance
  • Moderate Speed Kratom provides ultimate tranquility! Moderate strains are the harmony between Fast and Slow strains. Their resonation is very stable and gives a good balance of energy and relaxation.

    Kratom effects can vary from person to person. For some individuals, Fast strains may be too intense and can cause over-stimulation. It’s that yucky, fidgety feeling - similar to when when you’ve drinken way too much coffee. We refer to this unpleasant feeling as the “Jitterbugs”. Retrospectively, Slow strains can also be too calming and make you feel like a lazy couch potato. 

    This is precisely why Moderate strains come in handy! If Fast strains are too fast and Slow strains too slow, it’s worth a try to see what Moderate strains can do for your needs.

    Slow Speed Kratom

    • Slow = Relaxation 

    Slow Speed Kratom supports a happy and relaxed mentality while also giving warm relief from physical discomforts. Some Slow strains may even help encourage restful sleep which can be a real life-saver on those nights were you’re tossing and turning in bed for hours.

    We recommend Slow strains for individuals who experience frequent discomfort and uncomfy feelings on a daily basis. Or, for anyone who wants to experience longer, more restful sleep.

    Why Do Different Types of Kratom Have Different Effects?

    As we’ve discussed, the effects of Kratom come from the active alkaloids within the plant. The effects you experience are dependent on the alkaloid profile of the strain. The alkaloid profile can be affected by the region in which it is grown, and the vein color (age) of the plant. 

    • The region from which the strain originates permeate the plant with different nutrients causing them to have dramatically different alkaloid profiles.

    • The age and vein color of the leaf helps us know how mature the alkaloids are and how long they’ve been developing. These potencies have a radical effect on the alkaloid profile.

    Can You Mix Different Kratom Strains?

    Short answer - Yes! Absolutely! 

    Here at Happy Hippo, we LOVE to mix different Kratom strains together. Mixing strains is so much fun because all of the combinations provide slightly different effects. Most people like to experiment with mixing different blends until they find their favorite.

    There’s no rhyme or reason to mixing strains - you can mix anything and try the result. However, be cautious. When mixing, it can become easy to accidentally take too much. Make sure you keep an eye on your serving size. 


    What is Bentuangie Kratom?

    Like Yellow Vein Kratom strains, “Bentuangie” is a type of Kratom that is created after the leaves are harvested. Farmers wet the leaves and place them into large plastic containers. The leaves are then left alone and allowed to ferment.  

    The fermentation process enhances certain alkaloids, making the resonation extremely distinct and much more potent. It also the Kratom to have an unusually dark color and a very unique flavor. Bentuangie Kratom strains are rare and harder to find in the United States. 


    Where to Buy the Most Popular Types of Kratom 

    If you’re looking for a dependable Kratom vendor that has a huge selection of Kratom, look no further than Happy Hippo Herbals. We carry over 30+ high-quality Kratom strains. We also offer Kratom Capsules and Kratom Extracts! We specialize in Kratom, but we also carry a few different types of herbal botanicals; such as Akuamma Extract Capsules, Fijian and Vanuatu Kava, and Kanna.

    In a world of uncertainty, it’s incredibly important to purchase your botanicals from somewhere that you can truly trust. Happy Hippo Herbals is a certified vendor by the American Kratom Association.  This means that we provide safe, quality products that are produced in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) certified facility. 

    If you need some advice regarding Kratom or other botanicals, feel free to reach out. We have an amazing customer service team who are super passionate Kratom. Our advice stems from 10+ years of experience. We love Kratom, so, we KNOW Kratom. As well, we have an amazing educational blog that covers a menagerie of topics from “How To Optimize the Effects of Kratom” to “Managing Your Kratom Tolerance - How to Keep it Normal or LOW!”. You can even pay with Mobile Check.

     

    You've tried Kratom. Now try Happy Hippo Kratom. (It's WAY better)

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    Article Comments

    3 Comments
    Blythe

    This is such valuable information! When I first started taking kratom, I never knew any of this and if I had, it would’ve been tremendously useful. Everyone should read this before they begin! Thank you so much for this article!

    Jodi N.

    Very informative, I love how this broken down, so we all can learn more about kratom!

    Laura Elsea

    I have been taking kratom for the past 4 years. I have tried different manufacturers and Happy Hippo is ABSOLUTELY the best one. Product quality & customer support is hands down for better then any other!