Although there are many ways to use kratom, it is believed that the best way to take it is by ingesting it. But, despite this common knowledge, there are individuals who try to consume it in other fashions to try getting more out of it. And, many times, these experiments end up being not only ineffective but can also have unpleasant effects or even serious consequences. So, if you are curious to know what the most ineffective kratom consumption methods are, keep reading below and find out.
How Does Kratom Work?
Mitragyna Speciosa contains alkaloids and other components that act directly or indirectly in our system to produce kratom’s singular effects. The two main alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are believed to act upon our opioid receptors. This way, kratom alkaloids will mirror the effects of natural and synthetic opioids, i.e.: pain relief and relaxation. But, contrary to what many people think, kratom is not an opioid, since it lacks some of the opioids’ main characteristics, including dangerous side effects like respiratory depression.
To be able to produce any effects, the alkaloids must be absorbed into the system. The most effective way to achieve this is through the digestive system. For this reason, the best way to use kratom is by ingesting it.
Ineffective Kratom Consumption Methods
If you have been using kratom for a while, and you think that it is not working for you, you should ask yourself if you are using it the right way. There are many reasons why kratom might not be working, including:
- you are not using the right dose
- you may have developed tolerance
- the strain that you are using is not right for you
- using low-quality kratom
- you are using the wrong consumption method
So, are there right or wrong kratom consumption methods? The answer to this question is “yes, of course!”. As we already said, kratom’s compounds are absorbed more effectively through the digestive system. So, ingesting kratom is the best way to get the best out of it. For this reason, trying any other methods won’t probably work and some of them might be even dangerous.
So, let’s see below some of the most ineffective kratom consumption methods.
Smoking Kratom
Surprisingly, there’s no general consensus regarding this consumption method. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence suggests that smoking kratom is not at all a good way to use the plant. Typically, kratom is sold in powder and loose-leaf form. Obviously, smoking kratom powder is not an easy task to perform, but you may wonder if smoking the leaves could work.
Although kratom leaves are easy to burn and can actually be smoked, it is not recommended to do so. There are various reasons why you shouldn’t smoke kratom:
- Smoking kratom is ineffective. It is believed that combustion can negatively affect kratom’s alkaloids. In fact, combustion can decrease the alkaloids’ effects or even destroy them completely.
- It is expensive. If the above hasn’t convinced you, maybe the monetary cost will. Although some individuals believe that you can get some effects out of smoked kratom, you will typically need 10 times more product than what you’d need if you ingest it. And, let’s face it, kratom is not a cheap product. So, why using more to get less?
- It’s an unhealthy consumption method. Smoking is an unhealthy habit. No matter if you smoke kratom, plain tobacco or any other substances, this habit can have serious effects on your health, including lung cancer.
Finally, users who have tried smoking kratom report unpleasant side effects, such as headaches and dizziness.
Inhaling Kratom
As you know, kratom is typically sold in powder form. But, can this fine powder be inhaled? Although inhaling kratom is physically possible, this would be one of the most dangerous and ineffective kratom consumption methods.
On the other hand, this technique can provoke many side effects and, some of them may pose a serious risk to your health. Some of the dangers of inhaling kratom are:
- nasal irritation
- nosebleeds
- throat irritation
- pain
- inflammation of the nasal and throat cavities
- lung infection
- blood clots in your lungs
Moreover, kratom’s alkaloids are better absorbed in the bloodstream through your digestive system. So, inhaling kratom won’t be a good idea if you want to feel its effects.
Injecting Kratom
Some people may wonder if injecting kratom might have stronger effects than ingesting it. If you are thinking of doing it, we recommend you don’t try. First of all, kratom powder is too thick to be able to go through a needle easily. Secondly, it makes no sense to put plant material through your veins, does it? And, finally, injecting kratom or any other substances can end up in serious consequences, including:
- skin infections
- scarring
- endocarditis (heart inflammation)
- overdose risk
- HIV
Additionally, no matter if you are new to kratom or an experienced kratom user, you might not have heard from many people injecting kratom. So, if people are not doing it, there must be a good reason, right?
How to Use Kratom the Right Way?
Now that you know the most ineffective kratom consumption methods, you may wonder what the best ways to take it are. The answer to this question is clear: kratom’s best way of consumption is by ingesting it.
There are many ways that you can try to ingest kratom, and all of them should be equally effective. So, choosing one over the others should be simply a matter of preference. Let’s see the most popular:
- Eating the powder and swallowing it with water (toss n’ wash)
- Drinking kratom tea
- Taking kratom capsules
Additionally, you can add kratom to sweet foods, yogurt, milk, oblate disks or even use it in recipes.
