What Are Seed Straws?

Just puff on a Seed Straw like it's a cigarette — no lighter required! No smoke means you can use them anywhere, and since they don't burn down, they always outlast your craving.

It's up to you! Since Seed Straws don't burn down, you can reuse them as long as you like. We recommend using one per day. You can turn it upside-down in the pack so you know which one it is. That said, some people prefer to switch to a new Seed Straw more frequently, or use the same one for a few days at a time. The only rule is, if you notice that the filter is moving or slipping, it's time for a new Seed Straw. Otherwise, do what works best for you!

So many reasons! Reason one: The friction of the seed (or seeds!) traveling through the straw creates drag, which mimics the sensation of drawing on a cigarette. Reason two: When you're done using your Seed Straws, the seeds gives you a hobby that can distract you, improve your mood, and serve as a physical reminder of your progress. Reason three: Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter in the world, but with every seed you plant, you're giving something back to the environment.

Seed Straws work through a combination of psychology, meditation, and distraction. Seed Straws mimic the ritual and sensation of smoking (reaching for the pack, holding a "cigarette" between your fingers, breathing through it) — but with no smoke. Nicotine withdrawal is just one element of quitting smoking, and its effects tend to subside within four weeks. By mirroring the sensorimotor features of cigarettes (which is a fancy way of saying they give you something to do with your hands and your mouth), Seed Straws can satisfy the psychological element of cravings. Seed Straws incorporate meditative breathing. A 2023 meta-analysis of 26 scientific studies found that breathwork is associated with decreased stress and improved mental health. Other studies have drawn promising suggestions that deep breathing can reduce withdrawal symptoms among people quitting smoking. Seed Straws offer affirmations on the straws and the package, in the comics, and on our website and social media channels. Positive reinforcement through providing affirmations, as well as by encouraging self-affirmation, is a nifty psychological trick that helps with healthy habit formation. Seed Straws have a healthy hobby built in: gardening. Turns out gardening is really, really good for you! Low-impact physical activity, like gardening, is associated with increased quit rates among middle-age and older adults. Even just looking at plants can reduce stress, anxiety, blood pressure, muscle tension, and physical pain.

Seed Straws are made with four simple ingredients, each of which is edible, food grade, and/or biodegradable. Our food-grade reed straws are naturally gluten free. We use naturally filtered beeswax or wild-harvested pine pitch, and unbleached paper filters. Our seeds are untreated with pesticides or fungicides. They're also edible (though they are not intended for human consumption). Seed Straws contain zero chemicals, which means they won't interfere with medications and can safely be used in conjunction with nicotine-replacement therapy. Seed Straws are hand-crafted in a sanitary environment. We use a hot knife to cut the straws to size, and carefully clean the charred edges to remove any particulate matter. We test each Seed Straw before we package them to ensure that the filters are held firmly in place. If you notice that the filter in your Seed Straw has begun to move or slip, it's time for a new Seed Straw! If your Seed Straws have arrived damaged, contact us and we'll make it right.

We here at Seed Straws are committed to the health of our users and the environment, and our goal is to create a sustainable product. We're not perfect (such are the realities of internet commerce, the economics of small business ownership, and the global supply chain!) but we're doing our best and will continually seek ways to improve. Seed Straws are made from biodegradable materials: a food-grade reed straw, unbleached paper filters, responsibly sourced beeswax and pine pitch, and organic, edible seeds. The entire Seed Straw can be composted, though the beeswax will take a few years to fully degrade. The box can be recycled. Chia can spread quickly. We advise our customers to pant them in containers indoors, or outdoors with 1' root barriers, just to be safe.

No part of Seed Straws is intended for human consumption. If you accidentally ingest a seed from your Seed Straw, don't panic! All of our seed varieties are edible, and we source organic seeds that have not been treated with pesticides or fungicides. But for safety and sanitary reasons, we can't recommend people eat the seeds from Seed Straws. That said, any seeds you harvest from plants grown with our seeds are safe for consumption.

Because they’re hand-made from real, natural materials. We use food-grade straws made from reeds, and the natural variation between plants means they're all slightly different sizes. A wider straw might require a little more adhesive (organic beeswax or sustainably gathered pine pitch) to ensure the filter stays in place. Finally, these ingredients are assembled by hand, not with a machine.