10 Best Kratom for Depression: Lift Mood Using Kratom

Medically reviewed by — Research analysis by Alex Eriksson

Kratom is known to have mood-elevating effects and can be used as a substitute for depression drugs. However, the herb comes in various kinds, which in turn makes people wonder about the best kratom for depression.

Truth be told, looking for good kratom products is challenging—especially if you’re after something suited for managing the mood disorder. Well, to help you out, we’ve listed down the most popular choices for that purpose.



Best Kratom for Depression Comparison Table


Reviews of the Best Kratom for Depression


The Thai White Vein’s suggested use is in the morning. It may boost energy, enhance mood, and relieve pain—three effects that would be appreciated by people with mood disorders.

Note that Thai White Vein may actually come from kratom farms in Indonesia. It’s usually marketed as 100% organic and completely free of additives or fillers.

Thai White Vein Kratom Powder

Things We Liked

  • Boosts energy and enhances mood
  • Effects may last for around 5 to 8 hours
  • Suitable for people who need to stay productive

Things We Didn't Like

  • May cause insomnia
  • May worsen anxiety
  • Limited pain relief
Kraken Kratom's Maeng Da Thai Kratom Powder (White Vein)

If you feel tired and stressed every day, you may want to try White Vein Maeng Da. This special strain has more active alkaloids and flavonoids than most other kratom varieties.

It’s considered one of the most potent kratom strains. And so in most cases, it’ll only be necessary to take a small dose to feel its energizing and mood-lifting effect.

Things We Liked

  • Effects tend to last for up to 8 hours
  • Helps improve energy and focus
  • Improves sociability
  • check
    Boosts energy yet calms the nerves
  • check
    Effects may be felt in 10 minutes after use

Things We Didn't Like

  • High doses can make you feel anxious
  • More expensive than common kratom strains

Vietnam White Vein may help you fight off fatigue. It can give you an energy boost to start your day, which should be especially helpful given that lethargy is a common symptom of depression.

This is a great strain to use if you engage in a lot of physical and mental work. But unlike other strains, its effects can wear off more quickly and it’s rather weak as an analgesic.

Vietnam White Vein Kratom Powder

Things We Liked

  • Can make you feel focused and energized
  • May help relieve social anxiety
  • More stimulating compared to other white strains

Things We Didn't Like

  • Provides limited euphoria, sedation, and pain relief
  • Bitter taste and unappealing aroma
  • Effects can wear off easily
Kraken Kratom's Bali Kratom Powder (OG-PC)

Though Bali kratom varieties are considered relatively weak, White Vein Bali is the most potent of the Bali strains. It’s popular as being a consistent strain, particularly in the benefits that it provides.

White Vein Bali may help in improving focus, energy, physical strength, and motivation. Despite this, however, the strain doesn’t really offer much when it comes to pain relief.

Things We Liked

  • Heightens focus and boosts energy
  • Improves cognitive function
  • Induces euphoria

Things We Didn't Like

  • May not be as potent as other strains
  • High doses can give you jitters
  • May cause insomnia
  • Barely any pain-relieving effects

The Hulu Kapuas White Vein is created using different kratom strains. Similar to the other varieties we’ve listed so far, this one calms the nerves and is often used as a mental and physical stress reliever.

Despite that, it works best as a coffee substitute with its energizing effect. Unlike its caffeine-containing counterpart, however, Hulu Kapuas White Vein provides lasting, gentle stimulation.

Hulu Kapuas White Vein Kratom Powder

Things We Liked

  • Stress- and anxiety-relieving properties
  • Effective energy booster
  • May help in relieving pain

Things We Didn't Like

  • Euphoric effects don’t last long
  • High doses can give you jitters
  • Not as relaxing as other varieties
  • Contains addictive properties
Malaysian White Vein Kratom Powder

This Malaysian kratom is a popular natural stimulant. It’s so potent that it may cause insomnia, irritation, and sweating—which is why it’s usually taken in small doses.

Of course, if you mainly want to feel euphoric or beat anxiety, this strain isn’t the best choice. For those whose depression mostly manifests as lethargy, however, this might be a suitable option.

Things We Liked

  • Provides a noticeable burst of energy
  • Effects can be felt in a few minutes
  • Lasting stimulation

Things We Didn't Like

  • Doesn’t always enhance mood
  • Doesn’t help with stress relief
  • Only suited for morning use

If you want to improve your mood while staying energetic, you can try the Riau White Vein Kratom. But, keep in mind that it’s among the least effective options for managing pain.

Being one of the most potent varieties when it comes to stimulation, Riau White Vein can cause insomnia. Still, if taken at very small doses, this strain should be an excellent pick-me-up.

Riau White Vein Kratom Powder

Things We Liked

  • Effectively uplifts mood
  • Gives lasting stimulation
  • Fights fatigue

Things We Didn't Like

  • Doesn’t relieve pain
  • May worsen anxiety
  • Can only be taken in the morning
Kraken Kratom's Super Green Malaysian Kratom Powder

For a quick energy fix before work, consider giving Green Vein Malay a try. Its energy-boosting, focus-enhancing effect can last for a whole day, thought it keeps you relaxed.

Furthermore, this Green Vein Malay kratom enhances mood and self-confidence. Many also appreciate the strain’s usefulness in resolving opioid addiction, particularly in reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Things We Liked

  • Boosts energy and focus
  • Calms and relaxes (but not too much)
  • Improves mood and sociability
  • check
    Good analgesic capacity (even for chronic pain)

Things We Didn't Like

  • Not as potent as specialized strains

Like the previous entry in this list, Ultra Enhanced Green offers a myriad of benefits, including increased energy and pain relief. It also helps in reducing anxiety and stress.

You’ll have to be more careful with this though, given that it’s more concentrated and potent. Taking more than a small dose may cause harmful effects, such as hyperactivity, nausea, itchiness, and sweating.

Kraken Kratom's Ultra Enhanced Indo Kratom Powder (UEI)

Things We Liked

  • High potency
  • May only need a small dosage
  • Relieves anxiety and stress
  • check
    Noticeable pain relief

Things We Didn't Like

  • Overuse may cause side effects
  • Pricier than common strains
  • Easy to overdose
Kraken Kratom's Red Vein Borneo Kratom Powder

Red Vein Borneo offers euphoria, pain relief, and stress reduction. Some claim that it improves digestive function, but information on that perk is rather limited.

Interestingly, this strain increases energy levels and libido as well. But like all kratom varieties, excessive use or high sensitivity can cause side effects such as vomiting and irritation.

Things We Liked

  • Eases muscular tension
  • Relieves stress and anxiety
  • Gives a sense of euphoria

Things We Didn't Like

  • Duration may vary among users
  • May have undesirable effects for sensitive people
  • Below average analgesic capacity

Is It Possible to Overdose on Kratom?

While studies on the ill effects of kratom are still limited (and even though the herb does not cause respiratory depression), it doesn’t mean that there’s no such thing as kratom overdose.

After all, the herb, in some ways, works like a drug—especially since it interacts with the body’s opioid receptors.

Some reports suggest that it’s possible to overdose with and become addicted to kratom. Here are some symptoms that you may experience with kratom abuse:

  • Seizures
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • High blood pressure
  • Agitation

If you wish to experience the positive effects of kratom, it’s important to control your dosage. Learn about the type of kratom you want to use and check for dosage recommendations.


How Can Kratom Relieve Depression?

Kratom contains alkaloids that can function as a natural anti-depressant, although it depends on the nature of the mood disorder and how it manifests.

Mitragynine, for example, is a type of alkaloid which induces euphoria and provides an energy boost. With this alkaloid, kratom blocks depressive symptoms by increasing the body’s serotonin levels.

While depression may come in the form of lethargy and sadness, it may also cause episodes of anxiety and restlessness. In this case, 7-hydroxymitragynine’s calming effects prove to be more valuable.

In most cases though, white and green veins are the preferred choice against depression. These strains are capable of improving mood and inducing euphoria without being too sedating.

By using pregnenolone cream or pregnenolone supplements, the levels of the compound in the body increases, and this brings about various benefits such as fatigue relief, and delay of the aging process.

As for origin, Thai (including Maeng Da kratom) and Malay are generally considered most effective by those trying to fight off the mood disorder.


How Much Kratom Should I Take?

To make the most out of kratom, you’ll have to find the right dosage for you. There are three factors that would affect your ideal kratom dosage—tolerance, strain, and form.

  • Tolerance
    Like with other opiate-like substances, you can build a tolerance to kratom. If it’s your first time, you may want to start at the lowest possible dose.
    It’s better to increase your dosage gradually than to risk experiencing an overdose just to shorten the time needed in finding the right amount.
    Once you’ve built a tolerance at a certain dose, you may slowly increase your dosage. Likewise, you could try switching between different strains.
  • Strain
    Kratom strains vary in both potency and effect. It’s best to do some research about the strain you’re planning to take, and try to find out the recommended dose based on your experience with the herb. 
  • Form
    You can get kratom in different forms like extracts, powders, edibles, and capsules—there’s even kratom tea. Some forms may be too potent, which can affect your ideal dosage.
    For example, kratom capsules have controlled (typically small) dosages. If your tolerance to is high, you may need to ingest more capsules.
    Kratom extracts, on the other hand, are generally stronger because they’re concentrated. You may only need a small amount if you choose this form of kratom.

Conclusion

After a careful review of ten different varieties, we’ve found that Maeng Da Thai Kratom Powder (White Vein) is best for depression. It’s essentially an all-in-one kratom, given its impressive assortment of benefits.

Thai White Vein comes close to White Vein Maeng Da in both effects and duration. But, it can cause insomnia which may worsen some depressive symptoms.

Other strains may be better than our pick in some ways. But, do keep in mind that these alternatives tend to come with undesirable effects that might make matters worse.

No matter what you end up getting though, be sure to use it properly. Even the best kratom for depression can become harmful if you abuse or misuse it.


author
Alex Eriksson (Research Analysis)

Alex Eriksson is the founder of Epic Kratom, a blog dedicated to all Kratom lovers that provide honest and research-backed advice on how people can treat their chronic health problems using Kratom.

Leave a Comment