# Green Maeng Da (Mitragyna speciosa)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/green-maeng-da
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-29
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Other
**Also Known As:** Mitragyna speciosa, Green MD, Kratom Green Maeng Da, Thai Green Maeng Da, Green Pimp Grade, Green Maeng Da Kratom, Ketum Hijau, Biak-biak, Thom, Kakuam

## Overview

Green Maeng Da is a high-alkaloid strain of Mitragyna speciosa whose primary bioactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors to produce dose-dependent stimulant and analgesic effects. At low doses it acts as an adrenergic stimulant, while higher doses produce opioid-like sedation and analgesia.

## Health Benefits

• Traditional pain relief - historically used in Southeast Asian medicine for centuries, though no clinical trials available • Energy enhancement - traditional use by laborers for boosting energy during work, evidence limited to historical reports • Opioid withdrawal support - traditionally used to manage withdrawal symptoms, no clinical evidence provided • Partial mu-opioid receptor agonism - mitragynine acts as partial agonist with G protein-biased signaling, only preclinical evidence • Higher alkaloid content - Green Maeng Da shows higher indole alkaloids like mitragynine compared to other variants, based on chemical analysis only

## Mechanism of Action

Mitragynine, the dominant alkaloid comprising up to 66% of total alkaloid content, acts as a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors (MOR) and an antagonist at delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, while also stimulating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors to produce norepinephrine-mediated energy effects. Its metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine, though present in smaller quantities, demonstrates up to 13-fold greater MOR binding affinity than morphine, accounting for potent analgesic and sedative effects at higher doses. Mitragynine also inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and modulates serotonergic pathways via 5-HT2A receptor activity, contributing to its complex, dose-dependent pharmacological profile.

## Clinical Summary

Human clinical trial data for Green Maeng Da specifically is nonexistent; most evidence derives from in vitro studies, animal models, and cross-sectional surveys of kratom users. A 2017 survey of 8,049 kratom users published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found 91% reported using it for pain relief, 67% for anxiety, and 41% for opioid withdrawal management, though self-reporting introduces substantial bias. Rodent studies demonstrate measurable antinociceptive effects at mitragynine doses of 20–80 mg/kg, and one small pilot human pharmacokinetic study (n=10) measured peak plasma mitragynine concentrations of roughly 100 ng/mL after a 2 g oral dose. The overall evidence base is considered preliminary and insufficient to support medical recommendations by regulatory bodies including the FDA and WHO.

## Nutritional Profile

Green Maeng Da kratom leaf is not consumed as a nutritional food source; its profile is dominated by alkaloids rather than macronutrients. Dried leaf powder macronutrient approximations per 5g serving (typical dose): carbohydrates ~3.0g (primarily cellulose and structural polysaccharides, largely indigestible), protein ~0.5g (incomplete amino acid profile, low bioavailability due to leaf matrix), fat ~0.1g (trace). Fiber: ~1.5-2.0g per 5g dose, predominantly insoluble plant fiber. Caloric contribution is negligible (~15-20 kcal per dose) and not nutritionally meaningful. Primary bioactive alkaloids (the functional compounds): Mitragynine is the dominant alkaloid at approximately 0.5-1.5% of dry leaf weight in Green Maeng Da strains (translating to ~25-75mg per 5g dose); 7-hydroxymitragynine at approximately 0.01-0.04% dry weight (~0.5-2mg per 5g dose, significantly more potent per mg than mitragynine); speciociliatine, speciogynine, and paynantheine present at 0.04-0.08% combined. Mitraphylline (oxindole alkaloid) present at trace levels <0.1mg per dose. Green vein varieties like Maeng Da tend toward mid-range mitragynine concentrations relative to red and white vein strains. Micronutrients are present in negligible amounts; no clinically meaningful vitamins or minerals are delivered at typical doses. Bioavailability: mitragynine is orally bioavailable with hepatic first-pass [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) producing 7-hydroxymitragynine as an active metabolite; alkaloid absorption is enhanced slightly with acidic beverages.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available as human trials are absent. Commercial products vary with unspecified alkaloid content (0.5-1.5% total in dried leaves), with mitragynine up to 66% of alkaloids in Thai varieties like Maeng Da. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Common adverse effects include nausea, constipation, dry mouth, tachycardia, and dose-dependent sedation; chronic high-dose use has been associated with kratom use disorder, physical dependence, and a withdrawal syndrome resembling opioid withdrawal. Serious hepatotoxicity, including cholestatic liver injury, has been documented in case reports, with liver enzyme elevations observed in regular users. Green Maeng Da carries significant drug interaction risk: it inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes, potentially elevating plasma levels of opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antiretrovirals; co-administration with CNS depressants or serotonergic drugs risks respiratory depression and [serotonin](/ingredients/condition/mood) syndrome respectively. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation due to documented neonatal abstinence syndrome in infants born to kratom-using mothers, and is not recommended for individuals with hepatic impairment or a history of substance use disorder.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses specifically for Green Maeng Da or Mitragyna speciosa cultivars were found in the research results. Available data focus exclusively on chemistry and preclinical work, with no PubMed PMIDs for human studies identified.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Kratom leaves have been used in Southeast Asian traditional medicine systems (Thai, Malaysian) for centuries to boost energy, relieve pain, and manage opioid withdrawal, chewed fresh or brewed as tea. Historical use dates back over 200 years in regions like Thailand, with Maeng Da variants prized for potency in labor-intensive work.

## Synergistic Combinations

No synergistic ingredients identified in research

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Green Maeng Da and other kratom strains?

Green Maeng Da is selectively bred or blended to contain a higher total alkaloid concentration than standard green vein strains, with mitragynine levels reported between 1.5–2% of dry leaf weight versus roughly 0.5–1% in many wild-harvested strains. This translates to more pronounced stimulant effects at low doses (1–3 g) and stronger analgesic effects at higher doses (5–8 g) compared to white or red vein varieties. Red vein strains are generally more sedating due to higher 7-hydroxymitragynine ratios, while white veins trend more stimulant; green Maeng Da occupies a middle ground with potency skewed higher across both profiles.

### How much Green Maeng Da should you take for energy?

Anecdotal and survey data suggest stimulant and energy-enhancing effects of Green Maeng Da occur predominantly at doses of 1–3 grams of dried leaf powder, where alpha-2 adrenergic and dopaminergic activity predominates over opioid receptor effects. Doses above 5 grams shift the pharmacological effect toward sedation and analgesia via increased MOR activation by mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. No clinically validated dosing guidelines exist, and individual response varies significantly based on body weight, tolerance, and product alkaloid variability, which a 2019 LC-MS analysis found can differ by over 50% between commercial kratom products labeled identically.

### Can Green Maeng Da kratom help with opioid withdrawal?

Green Maeng Da's mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine bind mu-opioid receptors and can attenuate opioid withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, muscle aches, and insomnia, which is consistent with the mechanism of partial opioid agonism. The 2017 survey (n=8,049) found 41% of users specifically cited opioid withdrawal management as a primary reason for use. However, kratom itself carries dependence and withdrawal potential—a 2019 case series documented withdrawal symptoms including muscle cramps, insomnia, and irritability in regular users—meaning substitution may transfer rather than resolve physical dependence, and it is not approved or recommended as a medically supervised withdrawal aid.

### Is Green Maeng Da kratom legal in the United States?

As of 2024, kratom including Green Maeng Da remains federally legal in the United States after the DEA withdrew a 2016 proposal to schedule mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as Schedule I substances, though it is not FDA-approved for any medical use. State-level legality varies significantly: kratom is banned in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and several cities and counties have enacted local bans. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) has been adopted in several states including Nevada, Utah, and Georgia, establishing age restrictions (typically 18+) and product labeling and testing requirements for commercial kratom sales.

### Does Green Maeng Da kratom show up on a drug test?

Standard 5-panel or 10-panel urine drug tests do not screen for mitragynine or kratom alkaloids, so Green Maeng Da will not trigger a positive result on routine employment or forensic drug panels. However, specialized kratom-specific immunoassay tests and confirmatory LC-MS/MS urine tests can detect mitragynine and its metabolite mitragynine pseudoindoxyl for approximately 5–9 days after last use in occasional users, and potentially longer in heavy or chronic users due to lipophilic tissue accumulation. Some military branches and specialty occupational panels have begun including kratom alkaloid screening, so users in safety-sensitive positions should review their specific testing protocols.

### What is the difference between Green Maeng Da powder, capsules, and extracts?

Green Maeng Da is available in powder, capsule, and concentrated extract forms, each with different absorption rates and convenience levels. Powder offers the most cost-effective option and allows for flexible dosing, while capsules provide pre-measured doses and easier consumption. Extracts are more concentrated but may have stronger effects and higher costs, though they bypass the traditional preparation method of mixing powder with liquid.

### Is Green Maeng Da kratom safe to use with common medications?

Green Maeng Da may interact with medications due to its partial mu-opioid receptor agonism and active alkaloid content, particularly opioid medications, sedatives, and CNS depressants. Individuals taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Green Maeng Da, as interactions could amplify effects or create unexpected reactions. No comprehensive clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted, making professional medical guidance essential for those on regular medication.

### Who should avoid Green Maeng Da kratom and why?

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid Green Maeng Da due to limited safety data and the transfer of alkaloids through breast milk. Individuals with liver disease, heart conditions, or a personal history of substance dependency should exercise caution or avoid use entirely, as the ingredient affects multiple physiological systems. People taking opioid medications, sedatives, or other CNS-affecting drugs should consult healthcare providers before use to prevent dangerous interactions.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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