Although there are many reasons why kratom users choose this impressive little plant, one of the most common ones is a desire for more productivity and motivation. In a recent study, all surveyed kratom users named energy and productivity as one of their reasons for using it.
But what’s the story with kratom for productivity? Does it work, and is it safe? Are there certain strains you should use for productivity? These are great questions! Let’s start by talking about the potential benefits of using kratom for productivity. We’ll also cover potential unwanted effects and what to do if you experience them, and we’ll wrap up with some information about which strains have the best reputation for productivity.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine by locals in areas like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Kratom contains alkaloids that can produce energizing effects as well as calming effects, depending on the serving size and strain.
History of kratom use for energy and productivity
In the countries where it grows as a native plant, kratom has been a productivity booster for generations. All over the world, people want to combat fatigue and have more energy, and that includes Southeast Asia where kratom is grown.
Once it was introduced to the US, kratom quickly became known by users as a substance that increases energy, focus, and motivation.
One of the most fascinating things about kratom is the fact that it is used for two seemingly paradoxical purposes: energy and relaxation. The fact that kratom can do both of these things, sometimes for the same user, is of great interest to researchers and anyone who wants to see a more thorough examination of the ways that kratom affects the brain and body.
Potential Productivity Benefits of Kratom Use
We call all benefits of kratom “potential” because there are very few large-scale studies into kratom and its various strains. All of the information we have is from small, limited studies and lots of anecdotal evidence.
One of the reasons why MIT45 stands with the American Kratom Association in requesting regulation of kratom from the FDA is that we want to see more testing and research into kratom. Not only will this help us to discover more uses, but it will also limit unethical manufacturers and vendors from selling untested kratom products and making unfounded claims about what kratom can do.
Understanding these limitations, these are the well-known potential benefits of using kratom for productivity, energy, and motivation:
- Increased energy
- Improved wakefulness
- Enhanced focus
- Better mood
Increased energy
Kratom users enjoy the desirable effects of increased energy from many different strains and varieties. One of the fastest ways to get kratom into your system is the “toss and wash” method, where you put a teaspoonful of kratom powder in your mouth and wash it down with a lot of water.
Because this method is accompanied by a pretty intense kratom flavor, which many people find distasteful on its own, you may want to choose a different method. Capsules and liquid kratom shots are considered additional ways to get increased energy from kratom quickly.
Improved wakefulness
It can be confusing when you hear reports of kratom being good for sleep and good for wakefulness.
The easiest explanation for this difference is that smaller serving sizes tend to be better for wakefulness, whereas larger serving sizes are usually better for relaxation and sleep. To enjoy a more energizing experience, most users report the benefits of those smaller serving sizes.
Enhanced focus
Increased productivity is about more than just staying awake and having more energy. Lots of people can tell you that being full of energy doesn’t equate to getting a lot done!
Kratom’s reported benefits include enhanced focus and mental clarity. Many users also report experiencing reduced stress levels after taking kratom, which can contribute to your ability to focus on a task at hand–instead of whatever is causing you stress at that time!
Better mood
There are strong links between mood and productivity, and kratom is known to have mood-enhancing properties. Your improved mood should lead to enhanced focus and concentration, and therefore a more productive period after taking kratom.
Does kratom have any unwanted effects?
For most kratom users, unwanted effects tend to be mild. However, if you experience significant effects while using kratom, you may choose to reduce your serving size, switch to a different strain, evaluate the authenticity of your vendor, or stop or reduce your use of kratom.
Some of the potential unwanted effects are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Aggression
- Breathing issues
- Hallucinations
- Contraindications with medications or other substances you may use
- Withdrawal symptoms
Please note that most of these effects are from extended use or abuse of kratom, as opposed to occasional and responsible kratom use.
Kratom Strains Associated with Productivity
Kratom strains are categorized based on the color of the leaf veins when the kratom leaves are harvested. Additionally, there are kratom options based on the varieties of the Mitragyna speciosa plant.
Here is what you need to know about each strain:
Red Vein Kratom
- Made from more mature kratom leaves with red-colored veins
- Often described as having a more relaxing, soothing effect
- Still acts as an energy booster when taken in responsible serving sizes
Green Vein Kratom
- Harvested in the middle of the plant’s life cycle when veins are green
- Considered a middle ground between red and white strains
- Often described as optimizing focus and mental clarity
White Vein Kratom
- Harvested from younger kratom trees with white-colored veins
- Considered the most energizing of the three main strains
- Popular for boosting energy before workouts
Choosing the best strain for energy and motivation
Although the color of the leaves at the time of harvest can provide users with a general sense of what the unwanted effects will be, there are two factors that play a bigger role: the alkaloid concentration and the serving size.
A stronger serving size is always going to maximize the effects of kratom, but please note that it doesn’t always mean more of the original effect. As mentioned earlier, larger serving sizes of kratom tend to be more effective for falling and staying asleep, whereas smaller serving sizes are better for wakefulness and productivity.
A kratom product with a higher concentration of alkaloids will also tend to provide a stronger effect. That’s why a smaller serving of a high-alkaloid product may give you more energy than a larger serving of a low-alkaloid product.
It’s always a good idea to track your kratom usage, including serving sizes, types, and alkaloid concentrations to monitor how you feel and what you experience while using kratom.
MIT45’s Red, Green, and White Vein Kratom Options
In our shop, you will find red, green, and white vein kratom options in a variety of serving sizes and product types, including:
- Capsules
- Gummies
- Liquid shots
- Loose-leaf teas
- Powdered kratom
Shop our online store to find the kratom product that is right for you.
Sources
- “6 Ways Kratom Powder can Increase Mental Focus.” Neurotracker.com. 21 Nov. 2021.
- Cinosi, Eduardo, et al. “Following “the Roots” of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): The Evolution of an Enhancer from a Traditional Use to Increase Work and Productivity in Southeast Asia to a Recreational Psychoactive Drug in Western Countries.” Biomed. 10 Nov. 2015.
- Flynn, Dan. “The Kratom industry wants the FDA to send down some regulation.” Food Safety News. 19 Sep. 2023.
- Mindletic. “Understanding the impact of mood on employee work performance and how to improve it.” Mindletic.com. N.d.
- Muller, Elizabeth, et. al. “Kratom use for depression/anxiety self-management: challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic – A case report.” Heliyon. May 2021.
- Smith, Kristen E., et al. “Examining the paradoxical effects of kratom: a narrative inquiry.” Frontiers in Pharmacology. 5 May 2023.
- Smith, Kristen E, et al. “Ecological Momentary Assessment of Self-Reported Kratom Use, Effects, and Motivations Among US Adults.” JAMA. 26 Jan. 2024.
- Team Discover. “What Does Kratom Feel Like: Understanding the Effects of Kratom Use.” SeattleMet.com 21 Dec. 2023.
- WebMD. “Kratom – Uses, Side Effects, and More.” WebMD.com N.d.
