Vaping is the process of inhaling a substance in its vaporized form. It’s the new cool for the cloud-chasing younger generation. But is it limited to traditional nicotine and weed products only, or does it extend to herbal supplements like kratom as well?
Kratom’s popularity for daily mental and physical wellness potential is not hidden. However, when it comes to consumption, kratom capsules, extracts, and powders remain the most commonly purchased products.
The tables are gradually turning as kratom vape pens and kratom vape cartridges are entering the market and gaining preference among users, even though apprehensions regarding their safety and legality remain. This blog by Happy Go Leafy tries to address some of these concerns and provide a final answer to the question: can you vape kratom, and if at all yes, how safely?
Understanding Vaping Kratom
Kratom vape is not your typical cigarette. Unlike smoking, it’s not released by burning kratom ingredients, instead just heating them to the point where they convert into vapors. As a result, the scope of harmful carbon-based gases being released is minimal.
But are they completely harmless? Well, that depends on how much you’re heating the device. Kratom vaping devices come in two forms: a portable dry herb and a liquid vaporizer. Both contain a cartridge for storing the ingredients, a heating component or atomizer for vaporizing them, a battery for power, and a mouthpiece for inhaling.
If the atomizer is heated too intensely, there’s a risk of burning the ingredients, which can deteriorate the quality of the vapes produced. As a result, you may not get the desired kratom benefits.
Moreover, if the mouthpiece and the cartridges are not sanitized regularly, the ingredients can easily get corrupted. So, vaping kratom is not everybody’s cup of tea. It requires highly controlled and regulated consumption to reflect the desired effects.
Is It Possible To Vape Kratom?
Vaping Kratom might seem like a quick way to feel its effects. However, it may not be the best method to get the full benefits of Kratom. Vaping devices need to heat up to 400-500°F to turn the liquid into vapor. But Kratom’s active compounds, like mitragynine, are sensitive to heat and are stable only between 39-176°F. When heated too much, Kratom may lose its effectiveness.
Is Vaping Kratom Legal?
Vaping Kratom is legal in the United States at the federal level. However, the states are free to regulate their usage locally. While most states have permitted kratom vaping within their boundaries, some that carry apprehensions have prohibited it completely. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A few states have also placed age restrictions on vaping kratom as they deem it fit for adults only. In these states, kratom can only be vaped by people older than 18 years or 21 years. The exact guidelines can be found in the respective KCPA Acts passed by their governments.
Is it Safe to Vape Kratoms?
Safety concerns regarding vaping kratom frequently pop out in the minds of users, as it is strikingly different from traditional kratom products such as powders, capsules, and extracts. In this context, a few things must always be remembered.
Since kratom vapes are inhaled and absorbed directly into the respiratory system, they may have profoundly overwhelming effects compared to the subtle and controlled potential of their alternatives.
Besides, verifying the quality of every serving becomes difficult, as it depends on several factors, including the nature of ingredients, heat-induced, and device maintenance.
Referring to the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper usage might be of some help here, but essentially, vaping Kratom may not always provide a consistent and reliable experience of kratom consumption.
Kratom Vaping Pros And Cons
Vaping kratom has gained popularity primarily owing to convenient consumption. But is it as effective and beneficial as other popular kratom products? The answer can only come from a balanced analysis of its pros and cons.
Kratom Vaping Pros
- Fast action
- Controlled servings
- Convenient and portable
Kratom Vaping Cons
- Vaping devices need high maintenance.
- Regular use can lead to dependency or addiction.
- Unpleasant taste or flavor
- Long-term effects are not certain and are still being researched
What Factors Should You Consider Before Vaping Kratom?
Vaping kratom is largely recommended for experienced users as there are a lot of usage terms to abide by. If you’re a beginner setting foot in this direction, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Staying Hydrated
Kratom vapes have a high temperature and generally leave the throat dry. This can lead to the body getting dehydrated quickly. To avoid the same, stay hydrated and drink lots of water during and after vaping.
Proper Storage
The vaping ingredients and device must be stored in a cool, dry place to avoid spoilage or leakage. If you store kratom dry herb or e-liquid in containers, note their shelf life and use airtight containers to prevent excess moisture from corrupting their quality.
Related Post: How to store kratom
Maintaining Your Vaporizer
To ensure your puffs are not corrupted, always clean and maintain your vaping device. You can refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to do so. This must not be neglected, as a worn-out vaping device can deteriorate the quality and flavors of vapes to a great extent.
Legal Status
Always check the legality of kratom vaping in your specific state of residence before buying into this practice. Kratom vaping is illegal in 6 US states, namely, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Others have permitted it for adults only.
Vape at the Right Temperature
Kratom vaping device must be heated to the right temperature, as mentioned in its packaging guidelines. Even a tiny notch above this temperature can burn the ingredients, leading to a discomforting experience altogether.
Better Ways to Experience the Full Effects of Kratom
Considering that vapes may not provide the wellness and energizing effects of kratom unless used controllably, here are several better ways of kratom consumption that offer consistent quality and effectiveness with the flexibility of enhancing kratom taste and flavor.
Kratom Capsules
Kratom capsules are a solid and textured form of kratom that can ideally be consumed by mixing with beverages or swallowing on itself. Their onset time ranges from 45 to 60 minutes, based on their potency and other user-based factors like tolerance and metabolism,
Kratom Extracts
Kratom extracts are concentrated kratom liquid shots that users can directly consume or mix with their favorite food and beverage items. Depending on their potency, they may provide relaxation and calming effects within minutes of consumption.
Kratom Powder
Powdered kratom is also available in solid form, similar to capsules. However, they are versatile enough to be mixed with any food and beverage item you like. Their effects kick in slowly after about an hour and may last 6 to 8 hours.
Kratom Tea
Another flavorful yet potent way to consume kratom is by drinking warm and gentle kratom tea made by brewing dried kratom leaves in hot water. It is an excellent kratom alternative to try during the harsh winter weather of the West.
Conclusion
Can you vape Kratom, and is it at all legal? Despite widespread apprehensions surrounding kratom vaping, these products are legal at the federal level. However, you must check the state-level regulations under the KCPA Act for detailed guidelines regarding the permitted age.
Vaping kratom is generally not considered ideal for beginners as the effects may be pretty overwhelming. Additionally, controlling every serving and verifying its quality can be challenging when compared to long-relied options like kratom powders and capsules.
Users should take a cautious approach, starting with minimal servings to assess how kratom products work for them.