If you’re looking for an energy boost, you’re likely already drinking coffee as it is the most popular source of energy around the world. In Thailand alone, coffee consumption is growing at a rate of 15% a year. The coffee industry is ruled by huge multinational corporations which sometimes end up causing more harm than good in the world.

More recently, people all over the world are turning away from coffee as their main energizing substance and toward other natural products like kratom and cannabis. However, using kratom for energy is often preferred over smoking or vaping cannabis. Let’s take a look at four myths and facts about using this coffee-relative for that much-needed energy boost.

Kratom’s Stimulating Properties Work the Same Way as Coffee: False
While Mitragyna speciosa is a member of the coffee (Rubiaceae) family, its stimulating effects are due to the presence of mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine rather than coffee’s main active chemical: caffeine. Another difference between using coffee and kratom for energy is that a high dose of kratom won’t make you run around in circles or give you the jitters as coffee does — it’s more likely to relax you!

Using Kratom for Energy is a New Trend: False

It’s true that many of kratom users around the world take the herb to help with pain relief. However, replacing your morning cup of coffee with kratom is definitely not a new idea. Since at least the mid-1800s, laborers in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia chewed on kratom leaves to increase their energy, stamina, and endurance for coping with long days at work, and students in Malaysia frequently sipped on kratom tea to help them concentrate at school.

Modern users in the West take some kratom for energy to boost their motivation in general and help them be more productive. The leaf is also a known nootropic substance, so it can help with focus and mental clarity while boosting your energy levels and sense of wellbeing.

The journey of traditional herb kratom – from banned narcotic to legal cash crop

Kratom is only Stimulating at Low Doses: True

Anyone who is familiar with the origins of kratom use and the pharmacology of kratom will know that the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa are stimulating at low doses and sedating at high doses. This is a good thing if you are wanting to use kratom for energy — not only will you build up less tolerance to the plant, you’ll also use less powder and save money.

The recommended starting dose if you’re looking to kratom for an energy boost is 1–2 grams, with 2–4 grams being a more standard stimulating dose for experienced kratom users.

Some Strains of Kratom Are More Energizing: True

The different strains of kratom — while all offer some level of stimulation — offer distinct qualities that will appeal to different users. For example, some are better for pain relief and others are more euphoric.

by Laura Henry