What Is Maeng Da Kratom & Why You Should Be Cautious About Using It

If you’ve been aware of drug culture for any length of time, you probably already know that there are always new drugs, new forms of drugs, and new synthetic versions of natural drugs hitting the market. So, it shouldn’t surprise you too much to hear about a new drug like Kratom.

 

However, if you’ve heard people talking about Kratom, aren’t sure what the drug is, or aren’t sure what the different varieties are, it can be very confusing.

 

Don’t worry, though. This article is here to help with that confusion. We’ll talk about what Maeng Da Kratom is, what it does, its side effects, and more.

 

If you already know what Maeng Da Kratom is but want to understand more about the risks, signs of addiction, and effective treatment options, you’re in the right place. This is a comprehensive guide designed for people who don’t know much about Maeng Da Kratom, all the way to people looking for help with a Maeng Da Kratom addiction.

 

There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive in!

What Is Maeng Da Kratom?

 

Maeng Da Kratom is often referred to as the best or purest form of Kratom. Both ways of thinking about the drug are subjective. However, they don’t describe anything that makes Maeng Da Kratom different from other forms of the drug.

 

What it does describe, however, is how the drug is used and its potency.

 

Maeng Da is a Thai word, meaning “pimp”; essentially, Maeng Da Kratom means “pimp-strength” Kratom.

 

While we could speculate about the origin of the name, in this case, it’s more meant to mean that this version of Kratom is particularly strong.

 

Why is Maeng Da Kratom generally stronger than other types?

 

Because it’s specifically bred and maintained as a stronger drug version, Maeng Da Kratom plants are created by grafting together different types of Kratom onto a single plant. The different types have different colored veins, different alkaloid levels, and slightly different chemical properties, all of which mean that they have a slightly different effect on your body.

 

When combined with a product like Maeng Da Kratom, the added strength is likely because the different kinds of Kratom have slightly different effects on your body, increasing the potency and effectiveness of the drug.

 

If you’re still wondering what Kratom is, we don’t blame you!

 

Kratom is the name of a plant related to coffee, which has been used traditionally in Thailand and other parts of the world recreationally and medicinally. It’s thought to be a strong stimulant when taken in smaller doses but becomes more of a sedative when taken in larger doses.

 

As a result, it’s often described as having cocaine-like effects when taken in small doses and morphine-like effects in large doses.

 

Some people also recommend using Kratom to make opioid withdrawal easier. However, little information shows that it’s an effective option/not simply replacing one drug with another.

Side Effects Of Using Maeng Da Kratom

 

Even though Kratom is a refined form of a natural plant, there are still side effects from use. That’s important because some people think that natural means no side effects and no risks, which isn’t true.

 

Anything you put in your body has some risk of side effects and unexpected chemical reactions.

 

Whether using Kratom in pill form or as a tea, there is some risk of side effects and other problems from the drug.

 

Kratom isn’t typically smoked, though there are some reports of people using it that way, especially people with no prior drug experience. Because this is not typically how people use it, the side effects and symptoms of smoking Kratom may differ from the side effects of ingesting Kratom directly.

 

Side effects of Kratom use include:

 

• Agitation
• Aggressiveness
• Altered mood and mental state
• Constipation
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Sedation
• Frequent urination
• Itching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Numbing the tongue

 

More serious side effect includes:

 

• High blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Heart attack
• Hypothyroidism
• Encephalopathy
• Insomnia
• Liver damage
• Liver failure
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Kidney problems

 

In addition to the acute side effects of kratom use, there are also additional side effects that generally only occur with long-term Kratom use:

 

• Increased pigmentation in your cheeks
• Loss of appetite
• Tremors
• Weight loss (can be significant)
• Psychosis

 

Not everyone will have all of these side effects, and side effects are more likely at higher doses and more frequent usage. However, these side effects can occur at low doses and in as little as a single dose.

Withdrawal From Maeng Da Kratom & How To Know If An Addiction Is At Hand

 

Kratom users may experience withdrawal after as little as a single use, and withdrawal is more likely the longer they continuously use Kratom and the more often Maeng Da Kratom is used, regardless of whether you go through withdrawal between uses.

 

Withdrawal from Maeng Da Kratom comes with many of the same withdrawal symptoms as opioids.

 

Symptoms include:

• Muscle spasms
• Pain
• Muscle rigidity
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Dehydration
• Reduced Appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

 

Not everyone will have all the withdrawal symptoms at once, and you may not experience any. It is common for withdrawal symptoms to come in several phases and for each phase to have slightly different symptoms.

 

However, everyone will experience symptoms slightly differently and may not have the same phase progression.

 

Symptoms can range from mild to intense, depending on the person. You are more likely to have intense symptoms if you’ve been using Kratom for a long time or if you’ve started taking high doses of Maeng Da Kratom.

 

Withdrawal symptoms can last for several hours to several days and may have some lingering symptoms for weeks after you stop taking Kratom. Everyone’s timeline is a little different depending on how much of the drug they take and how they metabolize it.

What To Do If Addicted To Maeng Da Kratom

 

Many people think that Kratom is not addictive because they think that natural substances are not addictive. However, the truth is that many natural substances are addictive, and the chemicals in Kratom are thought to be addictive to users.

 

The belief that natural drugs are not addictive or are less likely to be addictive may make it harder to recognize that you or a loved one are addicted to Kratom.

 

The first step in dealing with an addiction is recognizing that you have an addiction. It’s normal for that process to take some time, and you may need help from friends and family members to understand that you have an addiction and that it’s negatively affecting your quality of life.

 

Loved ones, it’s important to be patient with someone in this phase of addiction to Kratom or any drug. Being too forceful or too accepting can make it harder for your loved ones to see what’s happening and decide they want to get better.

 

Once you’ve recognized that you are dealing with an addiction, the next step is deciding that you want to overcome that addiction. It’s a good idea to talk to your loved ones about their experience with you before and after you started using Kratom. From inside your head, it can be difficult to realize all of the things your addiction is costing you.

 

When you want to overcome your addiction, it’s important to decide how to stop taking Kratom, what levels of support you will need through treatment and recovery, and how you should prep for withdrawal from the drug.

 

It’s okay not to decide to quit a drug cold turkey right away. However, having a plan in place for dealing with your withdrawal symptoms and how to deal with cravings and the desire to resume your addiction at the beginning of recovery can increase your chances of succeeding and kicking the addiction.

 

It’s also alright if you decide that you need a little extra support throughout treatment and that you can’t do this alone. Plenty of people need extra support when overcoming addiction. Treatment centers, medically assisted withdrawal, and support groups post-treatment exist.

 

You aren’t alone and don’t have to do this alone.

 

Once you are ready to explore treatment options, you have two choices. You can do research on your own about the options, either by looking online or by talking to people who have been through treatment, or you can talk to your primary care provider for information about local resources.

 

Take some time to evaluate the different treatment options and what you think you will respond to and work best for you.

 

If you decide that a program through a professional treatment center is right for you, whether you’re looking for an outpatient or an in-patient program, Epiphany Treatment Center is here for you. Contact us to learn more about our programs, intake requirements, and what you can expect as a patient here.

Sources:

 

1. Bellevue Reporter. Maeng Da Kratom: Strongest Strain, Effects, & Dosage. Bellevue Reporter. Published July 23, 2021. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.bellevuereporter.com/marketplace/maeng-da-kratom-strongest-strain-effects-dosage/
2. Domash A. Maeng Da Kratom (Red, Green, White), Effects & Where to Buy. LA Weekly. Published May 5, 2021. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.laweekly.com/maeng-da-kratom/
3. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) drug profile | www.emcdda.europa.eu. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/kratom_en
4. 4. Cleveland Clinic. What is Kratom? Uses and Side Effects. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 30, 2021. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-kratom/