Red Maeng Da is one of the most popular red strains on the market, second only to Red Bali.
It’s used to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain while also providing a small mood boost. Unlike most red strains, it is not very sedative and can actually provide an energy boost if taken in small doses.
It can be consumed in its powdered form, prepared into a tea, or via capsules (for those who don’t enjoy kratom’s bitter flavor).
Red Vein Maeng Da gets a lot of attention because of its name, but is it really worth the hype? After comparing virtually every single kratom strain known to man, I’ll be happy to share my thoughts.
Due to its wide variety of effects, it is a potent kratom strain that has amassed high levels of popularity. It’s been used to treat medical conditions ranging from minor headaches to serious chronic back pain, to name a few.
In this review, I’ll be happy to share the following:
- What Red Maeng Da is
- Effects and what they’re good for
- How to take it
- How much to take (dosage)
- Red Maeng Da side effects & how to avoid them
- My thoughts on Red Bali vs Red Maeng Da
- Green & White Maeng Da vs Red Maeng Da
- What Reddit users think
- Where to buy Red Maeng Da
Looking for more red strains? Don’t miss these posts!
- Red Bali Kratom: The King of Red Strains
- Red Borneo: A Natural, Safe Alternative
- Best Kratom Strain For Motivation & Boosting Productivity
What is Red Maeng Da?
Red Maeng Da is, without a doubt, one of the most popular and potent red strains on the market.
It originates from the country of Thailand, where the natives have used kratom for hundreds if not thousands of years to treat a wide variety of physical and mental ailments.
Its medicinal benefits can be attributed to the alkaloids contained in its leaves, primarily Mitragynine and 7-Hydroximitragynine.
These two alkaloids bind to the same receptors in our brain as opioid drugs and, therefore, produce similar benefits but without the detrimental side effects.
More alkaloids per leaf equate to a more potent strain, which leads to my next point. Maeng Da was born out of Thailand farmers’ desire to create a very powerful strain.
Just in case you’re wondering, drug tests will not detect alkaloids. Only drug tests from law enforcement agencies, such as the 10-panel drug test, may detect them.
The farmers came together and fused a variety of strains resulting in the popular kratom we have all come to know and love called “pimp grade” or, in other words, Maeng Da. Not kidding, that’s literally what Maeng Da means in Thailand.
There are four colors in the Maeng Da variant, and each offers a unique set of effects that can be used to treat multiple symptoms.
In a nutshell, they are:
Red Maeng Da: Best for relaxing, sleeping, and relieving pain.
White Maeng Da: The most stimulant strain ever created, but not ideal for anxiety or pain.
Gold Maeng Da: a fusion of red and white, but leaning more towards the energizing white. Somewhat good for pain.
Green Maeng Da: Also it is a fusion of red and white and the most euphoric strain ever created. Great for pain and anxiety and decent for energy.
The color of the vein on the kratom leaf determines the color. In Red Maeng Da’s case, the plant is harvested once the veins turn red.
Red Maeng Da Effects & What They’re Good For
It is the second most popular red strain for a reason (trust me, I checked the number of Google searches, and Red Bali is #1).
Its effects are potent and effective and can be used to treat many different types of symptoms. Many people have used it to successfully replace their pharmaceutical drugs and/or addictions.
However, first, speak to a licensed physician if you plan on replacing your prescription drugs.
Below is a table that summarizes all of the effects.
| Relaxation | Pain Relief | Sedation | Mood Boost | Appetite Suppression | Energy | |
| Red Maeng Da | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Let me share with you Red Maeng Da’s amazing benefits in further detail.
Pain Relief
Red Maeng Da’s pain relief is top-notch. This effect is, in my opinion, why Red Maeng Da is the second most sought-after red strain in the market.
It can be used to treat everything from minor aches and pains to more severe migraines or physical trauma.
The pain relief has been known to last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.
I highly suggest using it if you’re looking to relieve pain and relax, such as in the evening after you get home from work.
Although it is not as sedative as Red Bali, it can still be counterproductive if you use it while at work.
Read More: 5 Best Kratom Strains For Pain 2022
Here’s a long list of conditions that can be treated with Red Maeng Da’s pain-relieving properties:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Back pain
- Physical Trauma
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Chemotherapy pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle Soreness
- Body Aches
- Osteoporosis
Relaxation
Red Maeng Da’s relaxation is both physical and mental. It can best be described as a relaxing break from your agonizing mental thoughts and a release of physical tension throughout your body. It really is amazing.
The relaxation can last roughly 3-5 hours and is extremely helpful for calming down on those extra stressful days.
I highly suggest it for people who want to wind down after a long day at work or are having a tough week and need a break.
It’s great for treating:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Opioid Addiction
- Physical Tension
Mood Boost
Although Red Maeng Da is nowhere near as euphoric as Green Maeng Da, it still boosts your mood. The mood boost is like a step above the relaxation effect.
Not only do you feel relaxed, but your entire outlook begins to literally FEEL more optimistic. The things that used to bother you only 30 minutes ago no longer have the same emotional control over you.
It’s this immediate change in your emotional state that can help you solve problems and acquire different perspectives in a given situation.
Read More: Best Kratom Strains For Anxiety: From Personal Experience
You can also use it to treat:
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Chronic or Temporary Stress
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Inability to Focus
- Opioid Addiction
- Mood Swings
- Lack of Motivation
Unfortunately, the strongest time period of the mood boost, which is what I refer to as the euphoria only lasts about 30 minutes, but the mood itself can last up to 2 hours.
However, if your goal is strong euphoria, I suggest you go with Green Maeng Da.
Red Maeng Da For Sleep
For some strange reason, large kratom doses can produce sedative effects, regardless of the strain’s color, and Red Maeng da is no exception.
Red Maeng Da’s sedative effects can help you stay asleep. However, its sedative effects won’t kick in for up to an hour or two after consumption.
The following is what I usually experience after taking a slightly larger-than-average dose of Red Maeng Da. (more on doses later).
Read More: Best 2 in 1 Kratom Strain For Pain & Sleep
I begin to feel pain relief (if I have pain) combined with stress and anxiety relief. The mood boost follows shortly thereafter, and about an hour after taking it I feel sleepy.
The initial drowsiness is the strongest, and it’ll last about an hour before slowly beginning to wear off.
However, if you fall asleep within that initial drowsiness phase, Red Maeng Da will help you stay asleep for as long as 5-7 hours. Not on a rare occasion, I have felt the effects in the morning when I’m trying to wake up.
Although most red strains are supposed to be sedative, Red Maeng Da falls somewhat short of the rest. Therefore, if your goal is to improve sleep, I highly recommend trying Red Bali instead.
Red Maeng da’s sedation can help with the following:
- Restlessness
- Lack of Sleep
- Sleep Paralysis
- Insomnia
Appetite Suppression
A very little-known upside of Red Maeng Da is its ability to suppress hunger. Why this isn’t talked about as much as the other effects I don’t know, but appetite suppression can be a very useful tool in a world where chocolates and donuts surround us.
I highly recommend Red Maeng Da for people whose goal it is to skip dinner and go to bed on an empty stomach. Your appetite will go away very quickly after consuming kratom, about 20 minutes afterward, and it can last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.
You can use appetite suppression to help with the following:
- Dieting
- Binge Eating Disorders (BED)
- Losing Weight
How to Take Red Maeng Da
Red Maeng Da can be taken in many different ways. However, we’re only going to go over the top 3 most popular methods of consumption. All three ways utilize Red Maeng Da powder to deliver the effects.
They are:
- toss and wash
- capsules
- kratom tea
How you take Red Maeng Da will dictate the amount of kratom you need and how quickly you’ll begin to feel the effects.
Read More: How to Take Kratom For Maximum Results
Nevertheless, all three ways of the potential to produce very potent and satisfying results.
Red Maeng Da Toss & Wash
The toss and wash is my favorite way of taking Red Maeng Da because it produces very potent and fast effects (about 5-10 minutes).
It’s also the most cost-effective strategy when investing in kratom, as you don’t need anything else besides water.
However, I don’t recommend this method of consuming kratom to just anyone.
Because the toss and wash consists of taking a spoonful of powder, swirling it in your mouth with water, and then swallowing, the taste can be extremely bitter and the texture harsh.
If you can get past all the unpleasantness.
Pros:
- Potent results
- Cheapest
- Fast acting effects
- Quick consumption
Cons:
- Bitter taste & harsh texture
- Can get messy
Red Maeng Da Capsules
Capsules are the perfect way of avoiding kratom powder’s taste and texture.
Each Kratom Krush capsule contains 0.7 grams of powder in a pharmaceutical-grade vegetable case to avoid triggering allergic reactions.
No silicone is used to make the capsules.
They’re super convenient and portable, but with those perks comes a cost: the price. Capsules are slightly more expensive than powder because of the extra manufacturing required for production.
The other downside is the amount of time it takes to feel the initial effects, which is about 30-45 minutes.
However, capsules have the potential to produce the same potent results as Red Maeng Da taken via the toss and wash, but in a more gradual manner.
Pros:
- No powder messes
- No harsh texture
- No bitter taste
- Potent effects
- Convenient
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Delayed effects
Red Maeng Da Kratom Tea
Kratom tea is a great way to take Red Maeng Da. The alkaloids in the liquid are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing you to feel the effects almost instantly (about 5-10 minutes).
The taste of the tea is earthy and bitter. Hence, if you don’t like bitter flavors I suggest you stick with capsules.
I recommend Red Maeng Da tea for those who enjoy drinking tea and don’t have very busy schedules, as it takes 25 minutes to prepare.
Remember that you will have to use twice the amount of powder when preparing tea to acquire the same effects obtained via the toss and wash. In other words, 3 grams of powder taken via the toss and wash will equate to about 6 grams prepared into a tea.
Also, you can add honey to improve the taste of your tea. I always suggest buckwheat honey as it’s the most complimentary honey flavor for herbal teas.
Pros:
- Fast acting
Cons:
- Requires more powder
- Bitter taste
- Lengthy preparation time
How Much Red Maeng Da Should You Take
Finding your dose is crucial to obtaining a satisfying experience with Red Maeng Da. Dosing too little will lead to weak effects, while dosing too much may lead to unwanted side effects.
Additionally, each method of consumption described in the previous section will require different dose sizes.
I wish I could provide a universal dose for you guys, but that would be misleading and possibly dangerous. 3 grams may be ideal for one person yet dangerous for someone else.
Instead, I’m going to provide a very low starting dose for you based on your weight and teach you how to safely increase your dosage until you obtain the amazing benefits you’ve been reading about.
First, let’s go over a few factors you should know about regarding dosing. The following factors will all have a significant impact with regard to the potency of Red Maeng Da’s effects:
Weight: Just like with alcohol, heavier people will likely require more Red Maeng Da.
Tolerance: Some people are naturally more tolerant than others. A good way to know where you stand in this spectrum of people is to ask yourself, “Am I tolerant to caffeine, or do I have to drink a lot of it to feel anything?”
Gender: Men usually need more of a substance to feel its effects than women, but there are exceptions to every rule.
Food: Having a lot of food in your system will weaken Red Maeng Da’s effects, which is why I recommend waiting at least 2 hours after your last meal before consuming kratom.
Read More: How Much Kratom Should You Take: An In-Depth Guide to Dosing
Regardless of how you choose to take it, don’t consume kratom twice on the same day, as this will produce an inaccurate dose.
Red Maeng Da Toss & Wash Dosage
Take 2 grams if you’re under 200 pounds and 3 grams if you’re heavier than 200 pounds.
If you enjoyed the effects, the starting dose is your ideal dose.
If you felt like the effects were weak or nonexistent, add 1 gram the FOLLOWING day to avoid triggering side effects.
Once you obtain your desired effects, stop increasing the dose.
However, if the increased dose doesn’t produce the results you are looking for, keep repeating the process of adding a gram a day.
Red Maeng Da Capsules Dosage
How many Red Maeng Da capsules you ultimately take will also depend on your weight. Take 3 capsules if you’re under 200 pounds or 4 if you’re heavier.
If you obtained your desired effects, this is now your personal dose.
If you didn’t experience the effects you were hoping for, add one capsule to your dose the FOLLOWING day.
Repeat this process of adding a capsule a day until you obtain the perfect benefits.
Red Maeng Da Tea Dosage
Remember, tea requires more powder than the toss and wash. Therefore, start with 4 grams if you’re under 200 pounds and 6 grams if you’re over 200 pounds.
If you enjoyed the effects, this is now your personal dose.
If you haven’t experienced Red Maeng Da’s amazing benefits, add a gram the FOLLOWING day, and repeat this process of adding one gram each day until you fully acquire the pain relief, anxiety relief, etc, you hoped for.
When Should You Increase Your Dose
You can increase the dosage by one gram when your original dose begins to produce weaker results.
It’s natural to grow a tolerance even if you only use it once daily. However, I did notice my tolerance skyrocketed when I was taking kratom twice on the same day, regardless of the strain.
Therefore, I always suggest taking only when you need it to keep your tolerance level low and taking a tolerance break as soon as you increase your dose to the point where you’ve nearly doubled it.
Ideally, the tolerance break should be at least a month-long, but even a couple of weeks will help reduce your tolerance level.
Red Maeng Da Side Effects & How to Avoid Them
The most common side effects are induced by taking a dose too large for the body to handle. Technically speaking it is an overdose, however, I refrain from using that word because it scares the heck out of people.
You may experience a nauseous headache, and if it’s really bad, vomit. I’ve experienced this headache many times in the past. It’s always gone away on its own in about 1 hour. If the headache persists after a few hours it may be a good idea to call poison control.
Read More: 3 Crucial Rules For Storing Kratom
So, what’s the best way to avoid triggering side effects? By following the step-by-step process I outlined in the previous section regarding dosage.
Hallucinations?
Blogs that claim Red Maeng Da (or kratom in general) can cause hallucinations are clearly written by people who’ve never used it. I’ve yet to find a single testimony of someone experiencing hallucinations.
The most psychoactive experiences I was able to find included people who claimed certain colors were becoming more vibrant, but that’s it, and it’s very rare.
Red Maeng Da vs Red Bali
First of all, allow me to say that both strains are the best red strains in the entire market. How you decide which is best will ultimately come down to the benefits you’re looking for.
Take a look at the table below to get a better understanding of both strains.
| Relaxation | Pain Relief | Sedation | Mood Boost | Appetite Suppression | |
| Red Maeng Da | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Red Bali | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
If sedation is at the top of your list, go with Red Bali. If you want something relaxing but also a bit mood-boosting, go with Red Maeng Da.
If you only care about pain relief, either or will do. Both strains can be taken via tea, the toss and wash, or capsules.
You can also mix them before consuming them, or you can rotate them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to avoid stagnant strain.
Green Maeng Da vs White Maeng Da vs Red Maeng Da
Remember, each color produces a unique set of effects. Hence, these strains may share the same name but produce significantly different results.
| Relaxation | Pain Relief | Sedation | Mood Boost | Appetite Suppression | Energy | |
| Red Maeng Da | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| White Maeng Da | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| Green Maeng Da | 8 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
If your goal is to relax or relieve pain, go with Red Maeng Da. If your sole purpose is energy, look no further than White Maeng Da, and if you want to boost your mood or suppress your appetite, Green Maeng Da is the solution you’re looking for.
You can also mix these strains at any ratio to produce combined effects.
What Do People On Reddit Think About Red Maeng Da?
As you probably already assumed, most people online love Red Maeng Da. Here are some testimonies with a link back to the forum praising its amazing benefits.
Ihav4gotn asks for people’s opinions regarding Red Maeng Da. The people in the comments respond by claiming it’s a good strain and somewhat energetic for a red strain.
Another curious Redditor, plenty of fishes, asks people to share their experiences with Red Maeng Da. Fortunately, the commenters had only good things to say.
Many of my readers have also shared with me how much they love Red Maeng Da, which is why I have so much confidence in the strain and suggest it to so many people.
