Vaping Kratom: Is It Safe Or Dangerous? [Revealed]

Kratom has been around for centuries, but it is only in recent years that it became popular in the west. Enthusiasts are making up for the lost time by looking for more ways to enjoy it, the latest of which is vaping kratom.

In the old days, people simply chewed the leaves to enhance their mood or relieve pain. Now, kratom comes in many forms, including the capsule, tablet, tea, and tincture. 

These products can be used in a number of ways, from the popular Toss and Wash to simply swallowing the pill. 

Kratom also started gaining traction among vapers, but the idea of vaporizing the herb has been contentious, to say the least. 

Can I vape kratom? Is it safe? These are just some of the many questions surrounding the subject. Read on to find all the answers.          

Why Vape Kratom?

Vaping is a very popular activity, especially in the United States. Many people believe that it is a healthier alternative to smoking traditional tobacco.  

Most vapers load leafy herbs in their pens or tanks, including CBD and THC. This practice is especially common in places where medical marijuana is popular.  

It was only a matter of time before they tried using kratom, which contains beneficial substances known as alkaloids.  

Specifically, kratom leaves contain high doses of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, alkaloid compounds that can bind to the body’s mu-opioid receptors.

Once you use kratom vape CBD, the alkaloids enter your bloodstream and are pumped to your brain, where they induce the relaxing or energizing effects. 

Enthusiasts believe that vaping kratom is potentially beneficial in the same manner that regular vaping can help reduce nicotine dependence. 

Instead of nicotine binding to the opioid receptors, the alkaloid does. This could help break the habit of smoking.     

Another possible advantage of using kratom vape juice or leaves is that the side effects of vaping kratom can be felt more quickly compared to taking the capsule or drinking the tea.  

Normally, kratom will have to be digested by the gastrointestinal system before it enters the bloodstream. This could take some time, especially if it is in capsule form, where the shell must be digested first. 

Vaping kratom bypasses this part of the process. The vapor goes straight to the lungs, and the alkaloids can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. 

While it would take around 10 to 15 minutes to see the effects of kratom ingested orally, the side effects of vaping kratom can be seen in as quick as 10 seconds. 

However, it is essential to note that all of these theories are dependent on the condition that the alkaloid compounds survive the elevated temperatures involved in vaping. 

Also, most of the evidence pointing to the benefits of kratom, in general, is anecdotal. While there are some studies that support it, more research is needed to eliminate all doubts.  

Smoking Versus Vaping Kratom

Smoking kratom is another popular method of using the herb. Aside from chewing the leaves outright, natives of Southeast Asian countries used to dry and smoke them. The locals report experiencing many benefits from this practice, but it has limitations. 

Alkaloids are sensitive to extreme temperatures, which means that the process of burning the leaves could break down some of the active substances they contain. Without the alkaloids, the purpose of smoking kratom is defeated. 

In addition, smoking inherently carries some health risks, whether it involves kratom or not. Some possible side effects include lung disease, heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

Smoking also increases the risk for tuberculosis, some eye disorders, immune system disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis.

On the other hand, kratom vape CBD does not involve any combustion, which means that it should be safer than smoking the herb. What’s more, the risk of breaking down the alkaloid compounds due to elevated temperatures is reduced.   

Still, vaping kratom requires temperatures of 175 °C to 200 °C, which can still limit its effectiveness. Moreover, it is very hard to find a vaping device that is specifically designed for kratom. Instead, people normally use herbal vaporizers or add kratom to the vape juice.    

In light of all these facts, it might be confusing for you to see several smoke shops that offer kratom products. This is an unfortunate result of kratom’s relative novelty in the market. 

The industry still lacks regulations to standardize the quality of the products and the practices involved. This is one of the many reasons you should only purchase from reputable suppliers specializing in kratom.  

Can You Smoke or Vape Kratom?

The quick answer is yes. You can smoke or vape kratom. In fact, it has been practiced by some enthusiasts for some time now. 

However, this does not mean that smoking or vaping kratom is a good idea. Both methods involve the use of high temperatures, which could damage the alkaloid compounds. 

Based on a 2020 study, 7-hydroxymitragynine begins to lose its potency at a temperature of 40 °C, while mitragynine starts to degrade at 60 to 80 °C.   

The same study shows that exposure to temperatures of 80 °C and pH of two to 10 for a period of three hours destroys the 7-hydroxymitragynine. Mitragynine is a bit more resilient, breaking down after six hours under the same conditions.  

The next question is, shouldn’t the alkaloids in kratom tea be damaged too? After all, water reaches the temperature of 100 °C when boiled.

Fortunately, there is no need to worry if you like kratom tea. It would take several hours for the active substances to lose significant potency. This means that your alkaloids are safe while you brew your kratom tea, which only takes minutes.  

Is It Safe To Vape Kratom?

There are currently two ways to vape kratom: using herbal vaporizers and using liquid vaporizers or e-cigarettes. 

Vaporizers work by heating the herb. The process generates steam, which is then inhaled by the user. The fact that it produces steam instead of smoke makes vaping less harmful than smoking.   

Some people prefer liquid vaporizers, which use kratom-infused vape juice. This liquid can be made using kratom extract.   

Studies on kratom are limited, so there is no way to say for sure how safe vaping kratom is. 

The fact that the herb is federally legal is a good sign that it has no harmful effects. Also, it is hard to ignore countless testimonies from enthusiasts who swear by kratom products.

Still, while kratom is legal at the federal level, some states are taking steps to ban it. Moreover, vaping has inherent risks with or without kratom. 

For now, it might be best to stick to more reliable methods of taking the herb until more information is obtained about vaping kratom.    

Consuming Kratom, the Right Way!

Vaping kratom is not advisable, but there are other ways to enjoy the benefits of the herb. Below are some of the most popular ways to get your dose of alkaloids. 

Taking the Capsules 

The easiest way to use kratom is by taking capsules. All you need to do is swallow it. You don’t have to worry about preparing anything. 

It is also easier to control the dosage as the amount of active ingredients in each capsule is carefully measured.  

However, it would take some time before you can feel its effects. Your body needs to digest the shell first before it can access the powder, after which it has to be absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to the brain. 

Making Kratom Tea

Another method that is wildly popular among enthusiasts is drinking kratom tea. You can make it either by using leaves or by mixing kratom powder in regular tea. 

What makes this option very effective is that tea, by itself, has calming effects. It complements the inherent characteristics of kratom very well. The resulting kratom tea makes for an extremely enjoyable experience.

Toss and Wash Method

If you have been taking kratom for some time, you probably heard of the Toss and Wash. This method is as simple as it sounds. It involves “tossing” a certain amount of kratom powder into your mouth then “washing” it down with water or any other drink. 

It allows your body to absorb the active substances quickly as there are no capsules to go through. 

However, kratom leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, so this method is not advisable if you are a new kratom user. Also, it takes skill or at least some practice not to gag on the powdered product. 

Where To Purchase Kratom

Kratom offers many health benefits, but how safe and effective it can depend on its quality. The key is to buy only from reputable suppliers to make sure that you get authentic kratom products. 

Most of these brands can be found online. You can easily verify if they sell premium-quality products, test each batch for purity, or use ethically sourced materials. 

You can also look at online reviews from third-party websites or forums for kratom enthusiasts to get a better idea of which vendors to trust.     

Closing Thoughts

Vaping is very popular for various reasons, and it is easy to see why kratom enthusiasts would want to try it. However, it is not the most efficient way for the body to access alkaloids and their benefits. 

The best option is to go with the tried and tested methods like taking capsules, drinking tea, or the Toss and Wash. 

More importantly, buy only from reputable vendors like Kratom Krush to make sure that the products you get are authentic.