Is it Safe to Smoke Kratom?
Can You Smoke Kratom?
With kratom’s continued rise in popularity, one of the most common questions we hear is ‘Can you Smoke Kratom?’
It makes sense. We smoke tobacco leaves, we smoke marijuana leaves, and kratom is, after all, a powder made from dried leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree. So why not smoke it?
In this guide, we’ll explore whether or not it’s safe to smoke kratom, and what you need to know before you even think of ‘lighting up’.
Kratom’s Historical Use: was it smoked?
Kratom originated as a powdered preparation made from the dried leaves of an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Touted for its energizing and euphoric effects, kratom has since been a favorite herb among holistic, natural, and alternative medicine practitioners and users alike. In fact, this was one of the main reasons we decided to create, The Kratom Connection.
Kratom’s most traditional form of use was in fact, by way of a brewed tea, or smoked. However, advancements in preparation as well as evidence from modern medicine has largely made smoking kratom a thing of the past.
Find out why below…
Everything You Need to Know About Smoking Kratom
Can you Smoke Kratom?
The short answer is ‘yes’. The longer answer is that ‘you probably shouldn’t.’ It may have been one of the earliest ways to use kratom, but that doesn’t mean its safe.
How is Kratom Smoked?
Those who opt to smoke kratom, despite the warnings and potential risks/side effects, do so by rolling up dried kratom leaves similar to how a joint would be rolled. That said, even if you wanted to partake, sourcing freshly dried kratom leaves in the United States is a difficult task.
Is Smoking Kratom Safe?
DISCLAIMER: The information in this guide is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we do our best to educate our readership, we are not doctors nor medical professionals. Always consult your primary care physician before beginning any new supplement regimen.
We know that people have smoked kratom for centuries, but that doesn’t mean it is without risk. Today, modern medicine’s stance on smoking anything combustible is that it carries with it significant risk to health and wellbeing.
It’s not the kratom that is unsafe, it’s the mode of consumption. Combustion results in the creation of toxic chemicals and hydrocarbons. Inhalation of these byproducts is known to cause irritation and damage to the lungs, as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Why do People Smoke Kratom?
Despite the obvious downsides, smoking is an oft-prefered modality of consuming a great many types of recreational and medicinal supplements or drugs. For example, many people still opt to smoke tobacco or cannabis instead of vape.
Smoking has one major advantage over drinking or eating kratom. It works faster and hits harder. Absorption through the lungs enables the active compounds in kratom to quickly enter the bloodstream where they are metabolized and used to elicit it’s desired effects.
But, this fast-hitting effect comes at a price…the duration of its effects tend to be shorter.
What Are The Potential Side Effects of Smoking Kratom?
Smoking kratom comes with considerable risk of side effects, both in the short term as well as the long-term.
Potential Side Effects Include:
- Coughing or wheezing
- Nose, mouth and throat irritation
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased risk of COPD and lung diseases
- Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Weakened immune system
- Dry mouth
- Hypertension (higher blood pressure)
- And more…
Closing Thoughts: is smoking Kratom worth it?
We can’t make this decision for you. But the evidence all points towards smoking kratom as a less advisable means of consumption. Especially when there are several highly effective, safer, and efficient means of enjoying kratom. Teas, drinks, and even edible deserts infused with kratom are all wonderful alternatives that elicit all of the desired effects without any of the risks associated with smoking.