With the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes becoming more commonplace in many states there has been a renewed interest in the benefits of smoking herbs. Many wondering about smoking kratom. Can you make a kratom joint or load a pipe with kratom?
Table of Contents
Learn About Smoking Kratom
Smoking kratom is not without risk.
Theoretically, smoking kratom is possible. However, it is not necessarily advisable. The potent alkaloids in the plant’s fibers could cause long term side effects or potential damage to the lungs. The central nervous system also might be impacted. The delicate capillaries within the lungs would be at the mercy of the inhaled kratom smoke which could cause damage. Ideally, you should abstain from smoking kratom and stick to the conventional ways that people have used kratom throughout history such as:
- Powders
- Capsules
- Teas
- Raw leaves
Why Smoking Kratom Could Render Strong Results?
Have you ever looked at an x-ray of your lungs? They look kind of like upside-down trees. The trunk forms your windpipe and the branches are the many bronchi fanning out. The bronchi leading to the air sacs which could be considered the fruit of the tree on each branch. Within the multitude of air sacs are countless capillaries (blood vessels) that work to transport oxygen to the heart, brain, and vital organs. Your respiratory system is an amazing part of your body.
People smoke cannabis because the cannabinoid-rich smoke quickly reaches the capillaries in the lungs and is picked up with the oxygen particles where it is rapidly transported to the brain and central nervous system to create a psychoactive response.
Users usually start to feel the effects of weed within minutes up to 30 minutes after inhaling the smoke which is must faster than if you ingest marijuana which can take up to four hours before you feel any mental changes. Many believe that smoking kratom works in much the same way as smoking a joint. However, research is limited and smoking kratom might not work in the same way. Alkaloids and cannabinoids are vastly different chemicals.
The Alkaloids of Kratom
Kratom contains very potent alkaloids.
The main alkaloid found in kratom is Mitragynine. It varies by strain but tends to make up about 65 percent of the plant’s alkaloid compounds. It is credited with producing the powerful effects of kratom on users. However, Mitragynine is not the only alkaloid. Depending on the kratom strain, there can be up to 25 other alkaloids present in the herb that vary substantially in ratios and are largely dependent on where the kratom as grown and the time the leaves of the time of the year when the leaves were harvested.
Combined, the various alkaloids have benefits and drawbacks that are unique to each chemical. Most users are familiar with what to expect from the different kratom strains depending on the alkaloids, but the expectations can change dramatically when smoking kratom. In fact, some minor alkaloids could become far more potent and overpowering then they are if you orally ingest the herb.
Heating Kratom
The cannabinoids found in cannabis must be heated to undergo decarboxylation which activates them. Although alkaloids are different then cannabinoids, heating them also might alter them. More studies need to be performed. However, many theorize that it could make them more potent or render many completely useless. Other problems are the byproducts that re-created by heating kratom such as carbon monoxide and soot which the smoker will also inhale when they are smoking kratom. All those things can potentially have harmful side effects that cannot be overlooked.
Smoking Kratom in Southeast Asia
Kratom obtained by harvesting the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. A tropical tree, it grows throughout much of Southeast Asia and is a member of the coffee family. In its native homeland, kratom leaves are either chewed or brewed into a robust and bitter tea. Smoking kratom is exceedingly rare. However, when it is smoked, they use dried leaves from the tree.
In the United States, it is hard to obtain dried, unprocessed kratom leaves because kratom trees do not grow naturally. Some users have been known to smoke kratom powder. When smoking kratom, the user will take the kratom powder and sprinkle it on top of either marijuana or tobacco before lighting it up.
Potential Dangers of Smoking Kratom
Currently, there is just not a lot of research available about smoking kratom. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does state that smoke inhalation does have the potential to damage the lungs, “Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs (alveoli) found in your lungs.” (1)
The inhalation of smoke often leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms can include:
- Cough
- Tightness in the chest
- Weakened immune system
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to perform physical activities
Smokers have been found to be 12 to 13 times more likely to develop and die from COPD than non-smokers. (2) It stands to reason that smoking kratom may have similar effects as tobacco on the lungs. Over time, damage or scar tissue could develop in the air sacs of the lungs.
Dosage and Smoking Kratom
Unlike with capsules and powders, it is difficult to calculate dosage when smoking kratom.
One of the main problems with smoking kratom is that there is no way to correctly calculate the dosage that you will receive the potent alkaloids. In fact, you could ingest too much of the alkaloids, so dosing becomes very tricky.
As with all substances, in moderation everything is okay but if you take an excessive amount then you could suffer from physical problems. The side effects of kratom are very dependent on the dose that you take. This is quite common with stimulants and opiates too which is why it is important to make sure you take the correct dosage of kratom, so you do not experience any unpleasant side effects.
Possible side effects of too much kratom include:
- Facial flushing
- Constipation
- Tremors
- Pupillary ocular constriction
- Nausea
- Itching
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Drowsiness
- Loss of motor coordination
Potential Waste of Kratom
Using kratom powder sprinkled on cannabis or tobacco is often considered a waste of the herb. Ingesting the kratom in traditional ways tends to be a better option for most people and will ultimately save you money because you will use far less power than burning it.
Best Ways to Ingest Kratom
Capsules are a popular way to ingest kratom.
There are so many unknowns surrounding smoking kratom. Clearly, we can learn from history too. Kratom has been used for centuries in parts of Southeast Asia and it was rarely smoked so there must be some reason why the naturopathic doctors in the region avoided suggesting that kratom users smoke the herb. With other ingestion methods that are considered ‘safer’ maybe you should abstain from smoking kratom until more research is carried out to examine the safety of the method.
The best ways to ingest kratom include:
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is a great way to ingest the herb. You can opt to use the ‘toss and wash’ method which includes putting a mouthful of kratom in your mouth and then drinking water to wash down the powder. This is a quick and effective way to ingest kratom but some people object to the herb’s bitter taste. In such a situation, you can always sprinkle kratom powder in your morning coffee or add it to a delicious smoothie to mask the alkaloids unpleasant flavor.
Kratom Capsules
Kratom is available in capsule form which is very quick and convenient. You can effortlessly swallow a capsule with your other supplements. One of the best things about kratom capsules is that they are an effective way to know exactly how much kratom you are ingesting. Each capsule has a pre-measured amount of kratom, so you don’t have to worry about taking too much of the herb or too little. Also, you can carry kratom capsules in your purse or pocket just like you do other supplemental pills and medications.
Kratom Tea
Many people mistakenly believe that they must have dried kratom leaves to brew tea s they do in Southeast Asia. Without a doubt, it is nice to have dried leaves to make the tea, but you can also use kratom powder mixed with conventional tea leaves to create a tasty beverage.
Enjoy kratom tea either iced or hot. Add sugar or honey to the brew to mask its bitterness and enjoy it in a traditional way. Kratom tea is one of the pleasurable ways to ingest kratom and it is very similar to the way that the locals of Southeast Asia have used the herb for centuries which makes it an ideal option for many and is far better than smoking kratom.
At My Kratom Club, we carry a wide array of kratom strains. Please contact us today to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your website!
It is good to know about both the positive side as well as the negative side of Kratom. I did not know it before. This is something completely new to me. It did gave me good idea of the product.
I found your website very engaging. It is good to know both the harmfulness to the lungs and the benefit it can give if used if ingested responsibly.
All the best!
I’m not sure, from this article, why someone would ingest Kratom in the first place. I will say, that with problems with inhalers (i.e. Juul products) last year, one should definitely think twice before inhaling something without know the lasting effects of it on their lings, primarily, but also on the body or brain. Any damage could be permanent.
Hi Marsha,
We strongly agree when it comes to smoking kratom.
Our customer feedback strongly suggests there are many benefits of kratom if taken in the proper dosage.
Hope you take a look at our many other articles on the benefits of kratom HERE.
This is a very honest opinion on the dangers of smoking Kratom. I bet you smokers will ignore all the warnings and want to try smoking it. I wouldn’t. Lets just stick to the safe methods of ingesting Kratom. As you mentioned the safe methods are taking it in powder foam, capsules, in tea or raw leaves if you can get them. Better to be safe than sorry. Thanks
I am not a fan of smocking anything, even if it is for medical purposes. I will rather take it as a tea, pills, or have it massage to my skin. Because any smoke is unhealthy for our bodies. It will go and cause damage to our respiratory system.
So, I will strongly advise people to stick to the Kratom pills, powder, or leaves for your infusion.
Thanks
Kratom has become a very popular substance of late, I take it in powdery form only though, I never knew people smoked it, I was only aware of taking it by means of a tea bag, this article was really an eye opener, smoking anything has never been good because of the lungs and it is associated with many illnesses. There are numerous other healthy ways to take Kratom asides smoking
Thank you for the enlightening article. I have read much about Kratom from your site and other places, but just never thought smoking it is an option. I agree that smoking it will compromise the benefits one can enjoy if they brew the tea or atleast take it in capsules . The stated side effects are horrific. Keep raising this awareness.
It is very thoughtful of you to share this topic with the general public as most people are not mindful of what they smoke (or ingest). Some people just do it cause others are doing it; the so called flowing with the vibe. I am not a smoker, but this article is handy to me as I gained some knowledge which I can use to educate others about smoking Kratom, and smoking in general.
Thank you so much for sharing an awesome article on kratom and Smoking. I have already learned about the many properties of kratom and it can be taken in different ways like capsule, powder, or tea. But today I learned that kratom can be taken by smoking. Smoking is harmful to the body and is not healthy. So using kratom through this smoking can cause various problems. So in my opinion, you should not take kratom by smoking. It will have a more good side than a bad side which will cause serious harm to the body.
There are very many reasons why people engage in smoking. However many people engage in the act, smoking does have its own disadvantages and demerits. From the article, we’ve seen how the effects of weed emerges after smoking or ingesting, however, smoking krat is an entirely different ball game. In my own opinion, I think a whole of research should be carried out so we’d fully understand the implications of taking kratom
Hi, thanks for the detailed explanation which are all the benefits of Kratom. Smoking Kratom definitely is a no no. I know about Kratom tea. Kratom tea is being used to treat anxiety and chronic pain, and it is increasingly popular. What I like the most is that you can also use kratom powder mixed with conventional tea leaves to create a tasty beverage. Thanks for the info.
I haven’t have a thought about smoking Kratom. That is too extreme of using this herbal product. Why do that when you can simply take it as tea, tablet or have it in powdered form? Normally, inhaled smoke isn’t that good for our health. It has its own risk it comes with. Some may smoke it but I won’t advise anyone to do that as they may be some potential damages to our lungs. And you’re right, we might not even know the right amount of dosage to inhale when smoking.
I dislike smoking, so bringing Kratom into it is not it atall. Though according to the article, it can be smoked but the side effects may be devastating and damaging to the organ. Why destroying my vital organs because of something that has other way of consumption. I love this piece. Thank you for this article,it’s informative
I think the fact that kratom can be ingested different ways attributes to the versatility of the herb however I have have questions about the smoking method and think it is nice that you brought up the dangers of smoking the plant in your article so as to prevent unknowing people from making the mistake
I have no idea that you can smoke Kratom. I know you can chew it or drink it or take the powder from. This is just an informative post. I guess you can smoke any herbs. Personally, smoking is bad for you in my opinion. However some people prefer smoking rather than edibles. I think I am just going to stick with my capsules.
This would be the third article i would read on the natural supplement kratom.I really see no reason why people should smoke kratom knowing fully the damage it would cause.Taking kratom tea,powder or capsule is still better compared to one damaging his lungs to smoking and inhaling it.It should probably be banned from being smoked
I .never a fan of smoking anything and kratom is not going to be the first that I will endorse. Funny enough, the marijuana is said to be called vaping and not smoking and I still think it is wrong because once smile enters the body, it has its dire consequences. I understand why you don’t accept to endorse it yourself. Nice post!
I would say I really enjoyed reading this article “smoking kratom” , with the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes has made many people wondering about smoking kratom , which is actually possible although it’s not really advisable and this is because the potent alkaloids in the plant fibers could cause a serious side effect or potential damage to the lungs. I’m really glad I came across this article, it’s highly informative and helpful, thank you for sharing.
My opinion is that kratom should not smoke kratom. Kratom can give you positive results for your health in a correct dosage. So, why waste it by smoking and bringing in so many other physical problems? I don’t approve those that take short cuts on their health. This was a intersting post to read. Thanks!
Thank you for this great information. I am not a smoker, but I did learn a lot about Kratom and this was the first of me ever hearing about it.
I do believe that knowledge it power and the more knowledge people have, the better they will be able to make informed decisions.
I really do like how you listed the benefits as well as possible side effects if too much is consumed and not many people would go that route, so thank you.
Hey, i just want to say, great article, you’ve done a really good job and im pretty sure the other people that run into your site will feel the same way, Keep up the amazing job! I personally don’t smoke but it was interesting to read about Kratom. i never knew how complex plant leaves can be.