Borneo Kratom vs. Maeng Da: Comparing Their Effects and Differences

Two strains consistently get mentioned in conversations about kratom: Borneo and Maeng Da. While both strains are beloved by their respective fans, they bring slightly differing alkaloid profiles and potential effects to the table.

Depending on your goals, understanding these strains, their potential effects and how they differ is paramount in choosing which one may be better suited to you.

What is Borneo Kratom?

True to its name, Borneo kratom is cultivated on the island of Borneo. The region is well-known for kratom growth, thanks to its rich tropical climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil. These environmental factors give rise to a kratom strain with a balanced alkaloid profile, thus attributing balanced effects across Borneo varieties.

There are different leaf-vein color types of Borneo kratom, and each vein can slightly vary in alkaloid concentration and potential effects. Below are the 3 veins of Borneo kratom and what they are best known for in terms of potential effects:

Note: The general effects of kratom generally border around energy boosts, mood enhancement, focus, relaxation, and soothing effects. While these effects might be dose-dependent, each color variety is best known for their own unique potential effects.

• White Vein Borneo: This is the most potentially energizing Borneo color variety and it is best known for its uplifting effects, potentially giving you the energy, motivation, and focus you desire. It is called white vein Borneo because the leaves are harvested when they are still young. At this stage, the veins of the leaves are slightly white, hence the white in its name..
• Green Vein Borneo: For this color variety, you can expect a potentially balanced mix of mild energy and relaxation. If you don’t desire to be super active and at the same time don’t want to be too lazy, then Green Borneo may be a great strain. The leaves are harvested when they are at mid-maturity in their cycle.
• Red Vein Borneo: At this stage, the leaves of the Borneo strain have red veins and are more mature than the white and green varieties. Red Borneo has the most calming and soothing effects among the three veins, and is potentially suited for unwinding and promoting a relaxing state.

What is Maeng Da Kratom?

Maeng Da is a Thai phrase that translates to “pimp grade” in English. The strain was born by crossbreeding two different strains through a process known as grafting. Which strains were used in this process, however, are not documented in Thai literature – so this remains a mystery.

Maeng Da kratom is considered one of the most potent strains, and it is best for users who have experience with kratom already. It was first cultivated in Thailand, but it is now widely grown in Indonesia.

Just like Borneo kratom, Maeng Da has different vein colors: White, Green, and Red Maeng Da. Each is best known for their potential effects; white for enhanced energy and focus, red for mild relaxation and mental clarity, and green may provide a mix of both white and red-vein effects.

Comparing Their Alkaloid Profiles

Alkaloids are the major components that give kratom strains their potential effects. The genetic makeup of a strain influences its alkaloid profile and there are over 45 potential alkaloids found in kratom.

Additionally, environmental factors like soil conditions, amount of rainfall and humidity can alter alkaloid concentrations. How the strain is harvested and processed can also play a crucial role in alkaloid composition as is seen between red, green and white varieties. .

Now, talking about alkaloids, there are dozens of alkaloids in kratom and many of them contribute to the potential effects you may experience. These alkaloids can be grouped into primary and secondary alkaloids.

The primary alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. They are the most studied and contribute the most to kratoms’ potential effects. Secondary alkaloids may also have their minor contributions, but not as many studies have been carried out on them. Some of the other secondary alkaloids in kratom include speciociliatine, corynantheidine, and paynantheine.

Primary and Secondary Alkaloids in Borneo and Maeng Da Kratom

Mitragynine is largely responsible for kratom’s potential mood boosting, energizing, motivational, and well-being enhancing qualities. 7-hydroxymitragynine is largely responsible for kratom’s potential mood-boosting, relaxing and sedating effects.

While the secondary alkaloids may also contribute, their concentration is likely less impactful. You can see from the table above that Maeng Da kratom generally has higher concentration of mitragynine.

It is important to note however, that batch quality, tree maturity and quality of processing can play a role in alkaloid concentration, no matter the strain. So quality matters, and more so than the specific strain or color variety.

Comparing Borneo and Maeng Da Kratom in Terms of Vein Types

Having looked at the alkaloid profiles and potential effects of both strains, now is the time to take a deeper look by comparing their vein colors.

White Vein Borneo Vs. White Vein Maeng Da Kratom

White Borneo generally has a moderate mitragynine concentration, while White Maeng Da generally has a higher level of mitragynine.

Therefore, you should expect moderate energizing and uplifting effects from White Borneo. For White Maeng Da, it may produce stronger energetic and motivational effects.  Hence, the white variety of Borneo is potentially best suited for motivation and a mild energy boost. While, White Maeng Da may be best used for tasks that demand increased energy, motivation and, and mental alertness.

Green Vein Borneo vs. Green Vein Maeng Da Kratom

The amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in Green Borneo is generally more moderate. Hence, Green Borneo may offer a balance of energy and calmness. This makes it potentially suitable for moderate energy, mental clarity and when midday focus is required.

For Green Maeng Da, it generally has a higher level of mitragynine and mild to moderate levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Hence, its effects may include strong motivation with a refreshing boost, making it a potentially great option for anyone looking for increased productivity and energy.

Red Vein Borneo Vs. Red Vein Maeng Da Kratom

Generally, red veins are known for their relaxing and soothing effects, and 7-hydroxymitragynine is believed mainly responsible for these effects. The potential effects of Red Borneo include moderate relaxation, making it possibly suitable for unwinding after a long day or for evening relaxation.

For Red Maeng Da, even though it has a notable concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine, the presence of mitragynine generally makes it less “sleepy” strain, with higher levels of mental clarity along with the potential soothing qualities.

Summary

• Go for White Maeng Da if you want something that is potentially more energizing. However, if you want a gentler energetic alternative, go for White Borneo.
• The effects from Green Maeng Da are potentially more intense, while that of Green Borneo are generally smoother and more well-rounded.
• Red Borneo may be good for evening unwinding, while Red Maeng Da may help you relax while keeping your mental alertness intact.

Dosage Guidelines for Borneo and Maeng Da Kratom

Since the effects of kratom can depend on dosage, you need to know the right dose to take and practices to avoid. Dosage can be personal; so this is just a rough guide for your reference.

If you are taking Borneo kratom, a low dose of it (1-3 grams) may produce mild energy and focus; moderate dosage (3-4.5 grams) may offer balanced effects of energy and relaxation; and a high dosage (4.5 – 6 grams) may intensify the qualities.

For those taking Maeng Da, it is recommended to have experience with other strains due to its potential to be slightly more potent. With a low dose of 1-3 grams, you may experience a noticeable increase in energy and motivation. At moderate dosage of 3-4.5 grams, Maeng Da may enhance focus and endurance and produce a more balanced effect. As with Borneo, you may get more pronounced effects in the 4.5-6 gram range.

A Word of Caution

Whether you decide to use Borneo kratom or Maeng Da for your specific needs, there are general rules to bear in mind.

Do not exceed 6 grams per dosage when using kratom. Avoid using kratom for 3 days consecutively, and avoid using it if you are on medications or have a health condition unless you have spoken with your doctor about it.

For those new to kratom, don’t be too impatient and increase your dose. Start with 1-2 grams and gradually adjust until you get your desired effects. Kratom has a ceiling effect and finding the lowest effective dose is a best practice.

Secondly, kratom has diuretic effects, which means it causes you to excrete water more frequently. For this reason, you must always stay hydrated before and after use to reduce the chance of experiencing dehydration. Dehydration can lead to compounded side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, constipation and dizziness.

Lastly, be mindful of the place where you purchase your kratom, as there are sub-par products littered on the market. Look for reliable vendors who carry out third-party testing of their kratom products and are transparent in sharing information with you.

Choosing the Right Strain Based on Your Personal Needs

Borneo and Maeng Da kratom are two well-known strains with great potential benefits. So choosing which one is better for you depends on what you want exactly. If you want a potential balance of mild energy and relaxation, the alkaloid profile of Borneo makes it possibly suitable for that.

On the other hand, if what you want is a strong potential boost of energy, focus, and motivation, Maeng Da might be a great choice. As with any strain though, factor in the color variety as this plays a large role in the potential effects and effect’s you may experience, even though they are from the same strain group.

Whichever you choose, follow all of the best recommended practices. Also understand that kratom can work differently in people, which may call for experimentation to find what works best for you. We hope this guide will help you make informed decisions between these two strains.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.