Kratom has been around for centuries, passed down among generations. Confronted with many strain choices, venturing into this world can be overwhelming. Furthermore, the strains have subtle differences, which can be confusing to first-time users.
Kratom leaves are extracted from Mitragyna speciosa tree species and are further classified into three strains due to the processing criteria. The green vein is dried with little to no sunlight; red is dried for long periods of direct sunlight, and white is a combination of both powder extracts.
Bali kratom and maeng da are the most popular in the market today. They are, therefore, the most recommended when it comes to exploring the world of Kratom.
In this article, you will see an analysis of what makes these two remarkable Kratom strains differently.
Differences between Bali Kratom and Maeng Da
Origin
Bali Kratom has deep origins in Borneo, Indonesia, in South East Asia, while Maeng Da is mainly from Malaysia and Thailand.
Appearance
Bali Kratom tree has broader leaves and a faster growth rate, unlike the Maeng Da. It is also the oldest strain in the market, while the Maeng Da, a hybrid plant, is relatively new.
This means that it has been grafted and shares the constituents of its parents. It was engineered to give rise to a very potent compound – giving it a competitive edge.
The grounded powder of Bali Kratom has a dark reddish tinge, while the Maeng Da has a slight purplish look with a surprisingly sweet aroma.
Biochemical differences
These two strains also differ in the amount and density of alkaloids. Bali Kratom has the highest concentration of alkaloids than any other plant, while Maeng Da has the best alkaloid collection. Bali Kratom has over 25 strains of alkaloids, with the most prominent ones being Indoles Mitragynine, speciogynine, paynanthine, oxindoles, Mitraphylline, and speciofoline.
Maeng Da, on the other hand, has high concentrations of Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, speciogynine, speciociliatine, and paynanthine. Mitragynine is the most active compound of this plant and is used to relieve chronic pain. It acts through the kappa subtype of opioid receptors.
Different Uses of Bali Kratom and Maeng Da
The Bali Kratom strain is mainly used for the elevation of your mental well-being. It provides an ideal balance between stimulation and sedation. This makes it the most energetic of all the other strains and is, therefore, suitable for productivity and focus.
Maeng Da is the most potent, and it has relaxing and analgesic properties. People first used it on the Indonesian shores to relieve pain. The strain also boasts a caffeine alkaloid which boosts energy levels and, due to the relaxing and stimulating properties, does not have the jitter effects as would be if you used coffee.
Other uses for the Bali Kratom are pain relief, control over withdrawal symptoms, depression, anxiety, relaxation, and sedation. Maeng Da is also used as a potent stimulant, helps with pain, helps regulate sleep patterns, increases focus and alertness, boosts energy levels, and regulates metabolism.
Maeng da, unlike opioids in the management of chronic pain, does not have any adverse effects such as respiratory depression. This is because this alternative does not elicit a depressive compound known as Beta-arrestin.
Dosage differences between Bali Kratom and Maeng da
Both of these products are available in powder form and can be packaged into capsules or tinctures. Upon ingestion, the onset of action of Bali Kratom is 20 – 30 minutes and lasts for 3-4 hours, while the effects of Maeng Da kick start in less than 10 minutes and lasts for about 8 hours. You can now see why Maeng is so popular.
Some standard doses of the two include; For Maeng, 2 grams have been found to work best on an empty stomach, with 7-10 grams being considered very high doses. Suitable for analgesic and relaxing effects.
For Red Bali, 2-4 grams of the powder are enough to elicit the desired effects. 4-8 grams have also been recognized to be the standard dose.
This, however, is not regulated by the FDA and still needs more research. What works for another person may not necessarily work for you. It’s because of age, body weight, sex, genetic and underlying health problems. Please experiment by increasing your dosages gradually to know the perfect dose for you and stick to it.
Remember that Kratom should not be used concurrently with other drugs metabolized in the liver. It reduces clearance and prolongs the drugs’ effects for an unnecessary amount of time.
Both compounds’ side effects are mild but include a decrease in appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, and muscle pains. These are rare, but it is imperative to indulge within recommended doses not to come across them.
Conclusion
You have seen that both Maeng Da and Bali Kratom have some close origins. From their sources, appearance, biochemical constituents, and uses, these two compounds are quite different and, if not apparent to the novice, can lead to unwanted side effects.
Buy quality products from reputable sources and consult your physician to advise on what is appropriate for you.
