Low-5 Safety Upgrade – Better Vape Pen Standards Announced

Low-5 practitioners are getting a safety boost. This piece details newly announced labelling standards for 5-MeO-DMT vape pens to reduce risks and uncertainty.

The Importance of Labeling for 5-MeO-DMT Vape Pens

Confusion around vape pen labels isn’t just inconvenient—it can be dangerous. That’s why clearer, standardized dosage labeling for 5-MeO-DMT devices matters for clinicians, guides, and the public alike.  

The Problem with Ratio-Based Labeling

In 2023, The Pattern Project  identified a significant issue with the leading dosage labeling system used for these devices. At that time, many labels on 5-MeO-DMT vape pens used a ratio-based system, which refers to how the ingredients in the pen were measured. For example, a "1:4 pen" (sometimes referred to as a "#4 pen") contains a solution of one gram of 5-MeO-DMT mixed with four milliliters of base solution. As detailed below, this labeling can easily be misinterpreted.

The Origins of the Ratio-Based Labeling System

This ratio-based labeling system is widely used internationally, largely due to the efforts and influence of its originators—all are members of OneLight, a community exploring the potential of 5-MeO-DMT, fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience.

A New Approach to Labeling: The OneLight Working Group

In response to concerns raised by The Pattern Project, OneLight formed a working group to reassess the ratio labeling system for 5-MeO-DMT vape pens. The working group included:

• Dr. Livingston – created the first 5-MeO-DMT vape pens.

• Majus – was the first to introduce 5-MeO-DMT vape pens to the public, and also invented the leading 5-MeO-DMT dosage protocol: the handshake, hug, and full embrace.

• Grace Within – the first to publish how to make Jaguar vape pens.

The following is an extract from the OneLight working group’s recommendations. Please note that they refer to 5-MeO-DMT as "Jaguar," and they use the term "Light Wand" to describe a 5-MeO-DMT vape pen.

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Establishing a Labeling Standard for the Jaguar Vape Pen

Since the publication of Jaguar (5-MeO-DMT) Vape Pens: How They Are Made by Grace Within, in Feb, 2021, the Jaguar [5-MeO-DMT] vape pen, or Light Wand, has been widely adopted by facilitators utilizing and promoting its unique application protocols, as well as Jaguar enthusiasts eager to explore this new technology. Inevitably, a proliferation of differing vape pens rapidly appeared on the market, each with conflicting label conventions and ingredients. Unfortunately, this lack of uniformity in labeling has led to confusion about dosing, as well as the potential for harm.

Concerned by this development, we, the original creators and promoters of the Jaguar vape pen technology, realized that it was time to revise our original labeling system and promote a standard that would help to alleviate this problematic situation.

Our Problem Name

The original labeling method we chose for the Jaguar vape pen utilized a numerical ratio, such as 1:4 or 1:12, which indicated a mixing ratio of grams of 5-MeO-DMT to millilitres of liquid carrier. While this method seemed straightforward, it had several problems. Among them were:

• Lack of Clarity: The ratios did not clearly indicate what units of measurement were being used or the specific quantities involved, making it difficult for users to understand what they were consuming.

• Ambiguity in Dose Concentration: The larger number in the ratio indicated a weaker concentration. So a 1:12 pen was more diluted than a 1:4 pen, meaning it was less potent. This was counterintuitive to many users, who logically expected larger numbers to indicate stronger doses.

• Missing Information: There was no indication of the total amount [in milligrams] of 5-MeO-DMT present in each cartridge, leaving users to guess its total content.

• Continuous Explanation Required: The nuances of this system necessitated ongoing clarification for new and existing users, which was not practical for widespread understanding and adoption.

Our Search for a Better Name

In our quest for a more user-friendly and informative labeling protocol we knew it needed to be universally understandable, accurately reflect the potency of various concentrations, and be easily adopted across a wide range of production methods. After considering several options, we settled on the Percentage of Jaguar in Solution.

Thus, a cartridge now labeled as “20%" simply means that 20% of the total solution weight is 5-MeO-DMT and 80% is vape liquid carrier.

The percentage name makes it clear that a larger number represents a more potent dose and establishes labeling uniformity for the variety of Jaguar vape pens on the market.

Here’s a comparison table between the new and the old names as well as the amount of Jaguar contained in a cartridge.

This new labeling system provides:

• Clarity and Simplicity: The percentage-based label is straightforward, making it easy for new users to easily grasp the potency of their vape pen at a glance.

• Representation of Content: The percentage system more easily correlates the actual amount of 5-MeO-DMT in the cartridge.

• Standardization: This easy method for vape pen creators to adopt will provide a consistent understanding of product potency throughout the industry.

If you are an end-user of the Jaguar Light Wand, this is likely all the information you’ll need to know. We’re confident that once you’ve made the mental shift, you’ll appreciate the new clarity and simplicity in safely utilizing your Jaguar vape pens.

About the Authors*:

Dr. Livingston @drlivingston - Creator of the Jaguar 5-MeO-DMT vape pen.
Majus @onelight - Introduced the Jaguar Light Wand into the public domain.
Grace Within @gracewithin - Authored instructions for making Jaguar vape pens.
Monomyth @monomyth - Chemist and Psychedelic Enthusiast

The authors may be reached via the secure communications platform Wire.

* Discoveries are never a solitary achievement. Consciousness manifests through many individuals at once. We honor the many unknown pioneers who made this possible.

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Safer Labels, Continuing Concerns

The newly established standard from the OneLight working group marks a significant step forward in harm reduction related to 5-MeO-DMT vape pens. However, our ongoing research with psychedelic therapists and guides continues to highlight the importance of caution, as individual variability in human physiology, human psychology, the use of plant-based carrier solutions, and several other variables can all impact dosing, posing a safety risk to individuals with limited knowledge of safe practices.

The Future of Vape Pen Labelling

Only once the variables are better understood and device and manufacturing processes are refined to ensure consistent delivery, could 5-MeO-DMT vape pen doses be labeled with standardized measurements similar to those used for bronchodilators (e.g., Ventolin), where each "puff" reliably delivers a specific dose.