If you’ve been consuming kratom for a long time, you’ve likely heard of popular kratom strains like Red Bali, Green Maeng Da, and White Borneo. These classic strains get a lot of attention, but there’s growing hype around some less-common strains, such as the trainwreck kratom strain, or “train wreck kratom.”
We researched all of the major trainwreck kratom brands so you can choose one more easily. Be cautious, because while some of the products can be great, trainwreck quality and formulation varies considerably from brand to brand.
Interested in buying train wreck kratom? We’ll explain what it is, what formulations you can buy, how trainwreck compares to other kratom strains, which brands to trust, and which brands to avoid.
We researched all of the major trainwreck kratom brands so you can choose one more easily. Be cautious, because while some of the products can be great, trainwreck quality and formulation varies considerably from brand to brand.
What Is the Trainwreck Kratom Strain?
A lot of companies and media sites claim that the train wreck strain is a blend of other classic strains. However, the answer to “what is train wreck kratom?” differs for each brand that sells it.
Like other kratom strains, train wreck kratom products vary immensely from brand to brand and batch to batch. Here is the range of descriptions of trainwreck kratom you’ll find on vendors’ websites:
- “Full-Spectrum” Powder Mixture Made Using Classic Strains: Many companies state their trainwreck powder is a blend of kratom strains from each vein color—that’s likely why most trainwreck products have rainbow labels. Some companies, like Happy Hippo, delineate exactly which strains they use. A few also provide lab test results for the final product. While this is certainly better than having no product description whatsoever, we’ll explain later why these details aren’t necessarily trustworthy.
- Proprietary Blend of Classic Strains: Some companies say their trainwreck powder is a blend of red, white, and green kratom strains. However, they don’t give specifics about how they blend it and don’t provide lab test results. Some examples are Emerson Naturals and Happy Go Leafy.
- Mystery Strain (No Product Description): Some trainwreck products you can buy online don’t have any product description, let alone lab test results. This includes Nova’s Trainwreck Powder, Klarity Kratom trainwreck capsules and powder, Krave Kratom trainwreck products, and Earth Kratom trainwreck products. Despite the lack of information, people still rate some of these products highly. Hopefully, more info about composition and strength is printed on the product packaging.
- Extract-Enhanced Trainwreck Powder or Trainwreck Extract Shots: At least one kratom company, Krave, offers extract-enhanced trainwreck kratom, as well as trainwreck kratom extract capsules and shots. Krave may make these trainwreck products stronger than average kratom powder. However, Krave doesn’t use product descriptions or share lab test results, so the strength and formula is unknown.
Related: How much stronger are kratom extracts compared to powder and tea, really?
Is Trainwreck Kratom Trustworthy?
Trainwreck kratom isn’t necessarily more dangerous, more euphoric, or more intense than products with classic names like Green Malay or White Maeng Da. Like any type of kratom, a trainwreck strain’s effects, quality, and safety depend on the individual brand.
A lot of brands simply use strain names as a marketing tactic to keep customers interested. This holds true for both common and unusual strain names.
The Trainwreck Strain Is Often a Marketing Tool, Not an Indication of Origin or Strength
While some brands are transparent about how they label their kratom products, many fabricate elaborate stories about strain origins.
In fact, most kratom isn’t associated with a strain name when it’s first exported. Rather, big importers and their buyers choose these strain names after the bulk shipments of kratom arrive in the US. How does this issue apply to trainwreck kratom? Well, let’s lay out a quick example.
A brand may claim they make their Super Green kratom by picking the largest leaves from kratom trees, when in fact they make it by just mixing generic green vein kratom with a bit of generic white vein kratom in a specific ratio. Next, they may claim they get their White Thai kratom from kratom trees in Thailand, when in fact they make it by blending generic white vein kratom with a little bit of green vein kratom—all of which originates in Indonesia. They create similar stories for all their other strains.
Related: Why one kratom brand is getting rid of strain names.
So if that brand then claims that their trainwreck kratom is a blend of Super Green, White Thai, and Red Maeng Da… Well, they’re probably just mixing together strainless batches of green, white, and red kratom powder.
That doesn’t sound very interesting or unique. So they create an attention-worthy tale about how trainwreck is a complex full-spectrum blend, then add bright rainbow labels and make claims about unrivaled effects.
Train Wreck Kratom Effects
What are these effects? Like any batch of kratom, they can range from energizing to mood-supporting to relaxing. It’s challenging to get any more specific than that, though.
Because each batch of kratom has a different concentration of active compounds and the formula for making trainwreck differs between companies, the effects of trainwreck kratom are not universal. Plus, effects vary based on serving size and other contextual factors as well.
Some kratom vendors clearly state that their trainwreck batches have at least 1.5% mitragynine, or another such standard. Other vendors don’t lab test their kratom and thus don’t provide any information on alkaloid levels.
Want to get an idea of what the effects of trainwreck kratom might be before trying a particular brand? Check out customers’ trainwreck reviews on vendor websites and forums like Reddit or Quora. Make sure the reviews are recent, since each batch can differ!
Cannabis-Inspired Origins of the Trainwreck Strain Name
Wondering where this mystifying strain originated? It’s unclear exactly which kratom vendor first created a trainwreck kratom product. Regardless, they almost certainly borrowed the name from the cannabis industry.
According to many accounts, the trainwreck marijuana strain was developed by two brothers in northern California in the 1970s. Some say that a trainwreck occurred near where they grew their marijuana. To make sure nobody involved in the wreck found it, they quickly harvested and sold the weed. Other sources suggest the name was created to metaphorically represent the weed strain’s effect—that it hits like a freight train. These origin stories may not have any truth to them, but whatever the backstory may be, the name stuck.
The use of catchy and sometimes-controversial names has been a staple of marijuana marketing for decades. You’ll commonly see offbeat cannabis strain names like Purple Monkey Balls, Durban Poison, or Alaskan Thunderfuck. In comparison to these popular cannabis strain names, Trainwreck seems tame.
Now, these sensationalized naming practices are becoming more common in the kratom world.
How Do Cannabis and Kratom Trainwreck Strains Differ?
Cannabis and kratom trainwreck product options are categorically different, but have a few things in common.
While the term ‘strain’ has different meanings in the kratom and cannabis industries, there is significant crossover in how each approaches the marketing of their respective strains.
Each cannabis strain name is supposed to refer to a specific lineage of the cannabis plant. While this remains true in some cases, researchers have found that cannabis sold with the same strain name is not always genetically linked. Additionally, even if you get weed from the same lineage, you won’t necessarily feel the same effects from each batch.
Kratom, on the other hand, has not yet been bred into specific strains. There are certainly morphological and genetic differences between kratom trees in different regions. However, these differences aren’t the basis for kratom strains.
While the term ‘strain’ has different meanings in the kratom and cannabis industries, there is significant crossover in how both industries approach the marketing of their respective strains.
Related: The science of why different strains of kratom aren’t consistent.
The cannabis industry often touts trainwreck weed products as the strongest strains. Some say the effects start with a big surge and provide an intense high. Similarly, some kratom vendors claim their trainwreck strains are their strongest products. Further, they claim the strain provides unique experience which is unattainable with classic strains.
As we mentioned earlier, these claims about effects aren’t necessarily true, and they definitely aren’t consistent between all companies that sell products with a train wreck label.
Trainwreck Kratom Product Types
Most kratom companies use the train wreck strain name for kratom powder or capsules. You can find a trainwreck kratom kilo from many vendors. Beyond powder, you’ll find a few other trainwreck options out there as well.
As we mentioned above, there is one company that sells extract-enhanced capsules and ‘exotic’ trainwreck extract capsules, along with a trainwreck extract shot. The strength and type of kratom extract (full-spectrum, single alkaloid, etc.) used in these products and similar ones isn’t always clear. So, be cautious when trying them to ensure you don’t consume too much.
Best Kratom & Trainwreck Brands
Unsurprisingly, a lot of trainwreck review articles are sponsored by the companies whose products are featured. While the advertised benefits and cost savings might be enticing, these commonly featured brands have serious drawbacks that customers should consider.
Here are some of the major factors we weigh when deciding which is the best trainwreck kratom brand to buy from:
- Brands that do comprehensive lab tests on their kratom (and publish the results for you to view)
- Brands that are honest about how they make kratom strains and what issues kratom can help with
- Brands that provide serving sizes and instructions for use
Worst Trainwreck Kratom Brands
We won’t name names (sorry to those who want specifics) but we will give you guidelines we think are important when deciding which kratom brands to avoid.
- Brands that don’t test their kratom for alkaloid content, heavy metals, or microbiological contaminants (if a kratom brand claims to do lab testing but doesn’t publish the results, reach out to them and you might be able to get batch-specific information)
- Kratom brands that make illegal therapeutic claims about their train wreck kratom’s effects
- Brands that don’t provide a trainwreck serving size or instructions for use.
Brands that fit the bill aren’t necessarily selling bad or dangerous trainwreck products. For example, a brand may have a QR code for lab testing or a serving size listed on the product packaging, even if you can’t find these features on their website.
If you’re buying trainwreck kratom online and can’t find the information you need to make an informed purchase, email or call the company see if they’ll provide it to you.
Ready to Ride the Trainwreck Train?
As is the case with classic strains, navigating the world of trainwreck kratom can be overwhelming. With its cannabis-inspired name and inconsistent production methods, trainwreck kratom seems to ride the rails between marketing genius and herbal enigma.
Looking for a less-complex kratom option? Here’s a shameless last-minute plug: strainless kratom tea bags are a more straightforward and science-driven option you can try.
Remember, no matter which strain or type of kratom you choose, keep your eyes open for reliable lab tests and steer clear of unsupported claims about trainwreck’s effects.
