How Much Mitragynine in Kratom?

Do you use kratom as a morning pick-me-up? How about relaxing after a long day? Do you ever wonder how it produces those fantastic effects?

Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant, officially named Mitragyna speciosa — it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the alkaloid mitragynine is responsible for kratom’s state-altering effects.

Mitragynine is a natural compound found in abundance in kratom, and while it’s insoluble in water, mixing it with specific foods, drinks, and spices can potentiate its effects.

So, how much mitragynine is in your favorite kratom strain? Let’s find out; the differences might surprise you!

Related: Grams of Kratom Per Teaspoon

How Much Mitragynine Do Different Kratom Strains Contain? 

An average dried kratom leaf contains between 0.5-1.5% mitragynine; however, this percentage varies based on strain, growing conditions, and more. So, let’s dive in and explore the three most common kratom veins:

Red Vein Kratom

We categorize kratom into three different vein colors: red, white, and green. These colors refer to the kratom plant’s stem and leaf vein colors, all of which have different compositions and mitragynine concentrations.

Red kratom is widely available and grows abundantly in Southeast Asia. Many beginners start with red vein kratom because it’s on the lower end of mitragynine content, containing 0.9-1.3%, typically resulting in a relaxing feeling and peace of mind.

White Vein Kratom

Kratom enthusiasts looking for a better energy source to compliment their morning coffee usually gravitate toward white vein kratom for its higher mitragynine content of 1.0-1.3%.

This kratom vein is known for its stimulating and energy-boosting effects.

Want to get the biggest boost from your kratom? Try our Focus Kratom Shot, packed with 60mg of mitragynine and 80mg of caffeine!

Green Vein Kratom

Finally, we have green vein kratom, which is a little different from the other two veins. While it has the highest mitragynine content — 1.2-1.5% — its effects are a middle ground between the red and white varieties.

Depending on the dose, green vein kratom can lead to a relaxing or energy-boosting state. Many report enhanced focus and motivation using low doses of green vein kratom, while others state they feel calm and relaxed when taking higher doses.

Because of these unique characteristics, green vein kratom is often mixed with red or white vein plants to create a specific effect. You can find mixtures to enhance or tone down the relaxing/stimulating effects of white and red kratom.

Related: How to Use Kratom for Sleep

What Affects Kratom’s Mitragynine Content?

Like any plant alkaloid, the mitragynine content in kratom comes from various biological pathways, all of which affect its concentration in the plant. These factors include:

Nitrogen

Almost every naturally occurring compound contains nitrogen; mitragynine is no exception. Usually, higher nitrogen concentration in the air or water results in kratom plants with higher levels of mitragynine.

However, nitrogen levels stop affecting the mitragynine at a certain point, meaning you can’t produce extremely potent kratom simply by adding more nitrogen into the mix.

Sunlight

Most plants end up with higher alkaloid concentrations when exposed to prolonged sunlight, including kratom. While there’s no “golden rule” for how much sunlight provides the highest mitragynine concentration in kratom, growers tend to lean toward 12 hours of sun and 12 hours of darkness.

Temperature and CO2

While every plant behaves differently, carbon dioxide and air/soil temperatures directly impact their alkaloid production. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an essential photosynthesis component, and a higher concentration likely leads to higher levels of mitragynine in kratom plants.

Soil Quality

The soil components and quality — pH levels, bacteria, etc. — can also affect mitragynine production. For example, some bacteria can enhance plant growth, strengthening the root system and producing more alkaloids.

In addition, higher salt levels in the soil can produce alkaloids; however, too much salt has the opposite effect, especially on young kratom plants.

Kratom Dosing vs. Mitragynine Dosing

Determining the perfect dose for you depends on the effects you want to get, your experience and tolerance, and the type of kratom you use.

However, there is a difference in dosing when it comes to traditional kratom products compared to extracts, gummies, etc. 

If we look at products like kratom leaves, capsules, and tea, the typical dose is 2-12 grams. For example:

• A microdose of two grams or less is ideal for beginners.
• A low dose of between two and six grams is an excellent step up to feel stronger effects.
• A higher dose of six to eight grams is where intermediate kratom users typically sit.
• A heavy dose of over eight grams is for experienced users looking for extremely potent effects.

Again, it all depends on the individual — two grams might be too much for a beginner, while others may not feel much effect at all from the same dose.

Then, we have mitragynine dosing, which changes the numbers. The primary difference is that extract products are made with an isolated form of mitragynine, making them much more potent.

You’ll want a much lower dose when dealing with pure mitragynine. For example:

• 12mg or less is equivalent to a microdose of kratom leaves.
• 25mg of mitragynine is equivalent to a low dose of traditional kratom products.
• 50mg servings are about the same as an 8g serving of dried kratom.
• 50mg+ is for experienced users, similar to servings of over 8g of products like kratom tea.

All in all, if you’re new to kratom, start with microdosing and work your way up; avoid heavier doses until you’re more experienced with mitragynine and kratom.

Not sure which kratom product to choose? Start with our variety pack of kratom and kava shots!

Know Your Mitragynine Levels & What They Mean

Mitragynine is the alkaloid responsible for the effects you experience when using kratom products. And because every strain has different mitragynine concentrations, they offer varying effects.

Knowing how much mitragynine is in the kratom you consume and understanding how it works is crucial to determining the right dosage for you — too little, and you won’t feel much; too much, and you can have some negative side effects.

Whether you’re an experienced kratom enthusiast or you want to begin your journey into the world of kratom, you can use this information to help find the strain that’s perfect for you.