For many people, the idea of smoking kratom powder seems counterintuitive. After all, it’s an herbal supplement that is designed to be ingested as tea or put in capsules, not burned and inhaled. The main problem with smoking kratom is that you are burning it, which destroys the key compounds that make it work.
Smoking kratom also exposes others to second-hand smoke, which can be unhealthy for those around you. Moreover, it may lead to respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung disorders.
It’s also important to note that kratom is unregulated in the US, which means that you don’t know where your product came from or if it’s been laced with other drugs. It’s also not recognized as a substance use disorder and won’t show up on drug tests, so it may be difficult to get insurance coverage for detox or rehabilitation programs if you become addicted to kratom.
Fortunately, there are safer alternatives to smoking kratom. You can take it in capsules or as a tea, both of which are much more effective and healthy than inhaling the powder directly. It’s also important to stick with low doses when trying out kratom for the first time. Many users are surprised to find that very little mitragynine is needed to produce the desired effects, which include increased energy, less pain perception and improved sleep. In addition, a calming alkaloid called paynantheine can promote focus and attention.