Kava Effects on Mood, Stress & Drug-Like Effects

Kava kava, or Piper methysticum, is a shrub with roots that are dried and used in beverages and supplements. Kava has been used for centuries in the South Pacific and Europe for its ability to promote relaxation and alleviate pain.

Kava Kava is still in use as a beverage during official ceremonies in Fiji. The extract is also used for recreational purposes by some, due to effects that have been compared to drinking alcohol.

Kava has also been studied for anxiety and insomnia relief. Other studies have looked at its use for drug withdrawal symptoms, stress and hot flashes in menopausal women, and its effects on cognitive function.

Although the sedative and anxiolytic effects of Kava may offer certain benefits, its use has been associated with dangerous effects in some. Kava has been banned in some countries, while other countries have issued warnings about its use. The potential negative effects of Kava are especially problematic in those with underlying health issues that affect the liver, such as hepatitis.

Kava

Herbal Supplement

Anxiety

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
• Improves feeling of wellbeing
• Shown to improve sleep & insomnia

Dosage:

Between 100 - 300 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Common Uses for Kava

According to the Natural Medicines Database, Kava is used by some to manage symptoms of anxiety and stress. Other uses for which kava has been studied include attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, migraines, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

In traditional medicine, Kava has also been used to manage or treat the symptoms of several other conditions, including urinary tract infections, venereal diseases, vaginal prolapse and menstrual soreness.

Kava can also be used as a topical treatment for wounds, abscesses and toothaches. Other topical uses for kava include otitis and canker sores, as well as more serious diseases, such as leprosy.

Despite its widespread traditional use as a natural medicine, there is limited research into its medicinal effects. The FDA has not approved Kava as a drug for the treatment of any specific health conditions.

Kava Effects and Benefits

The majority of research on Kava has focused on its psychotropic, analgesic and anxiolytic effects. According to one research review, this supplement may also have “anti-stress… local anaesthetic, anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties.” [5]

Kava contains chemicals called kavalactones, which have been shown to promote relaxation, support healthy sleep and relieve pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. [1] They can also help reduce the occurrence of convulsions.

Kavalactones work by upregulating GABA-A receptors in the brain. GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human nervous system. These receptors are involved in controlling our level of arousal, anxiety, attention and more.

The characteristic effects of alcohol are produced because of GABA-A receptors. Alcohol acts as a GABA agonist, essentially mimicking the effects of this neurotransmitter.

The mental effects of Kava are often compared to alcohol, even though these two chemicals work in slightly different ways. Consuming kava pills or beverages can produce the same tranquil, content state of mind as alcohol. However, some users say that at low doses it does not impair cognitive function in the same way.

Kava also has hypnotic and mood enhancing effects. In some studies, it has been shown to increase feelings of well-being while reducing tension and restlessness. It has also been shown to reduce feelings of aggression.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, Kava is rated as Possibly Effective for reducing anxiety. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology showed that kava might be effective at providing short-term relief from generalized anxiety disorder. [2]

It may also have benefits for insomnia, reducing stress and relieving anxiety that occurs during menopause, but more studies are needed to more accurately assess its effectiveness.

Kava effects might help prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who take benzodiazepines, but more research studies are needed to determine efficacy. There is not evidence available to support claims that kava can help manage depression, epilepsy, ADHD, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions.

More studies are needed to examine the effects of kava for medicinal uses, but there is limited ongoing research into this herb. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that funded studies on kava have been suspended due to the Food and Drug Administration’s warning on the potential dangers of kava use. [3]

How to Take Kava Supplements

Kava is available as a dietary supplement in different forms, including oral capsules and tablets. Kava extract is also available as a liquid that can be added to water, juice, teas or other beverages.

Those who are planning on taking kava supplements should talk to their doctor about safe dosages for them based on factors such as their age and the presence of underlying health conditions.

In clinical studies, 300 mg of a standardized Kava extract has been used daily for short periods of time. This dose has been well tolerated in healthy adults and has been reported as effective.

Kava should not be given to children without a doctor’s guidance due to the risks of liver damage. It should also not be used by women who are pregnant or lactating.

Kava can be purchased from online retailers, including Amazon, and in specialty stores that sell supplements. It is legal to buy in the United States as a dietary supplement, but is banned in many other countries.

Based on user reviews posted online, a large number of consumers have reported that kava supplements are effective at producing calming effects and reducing anxiety and stress. A small number of consumers have stated that kava supplements are not effective.

Negative Effects of Kava

Kava has been associated with serious adverse effects on the liver. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, liver damage linked to kava use has been reported in more than 30 cases in Europe. [4]

However, it is important to note that experts are uncertain if kava is responsible for damage to the liver or if the combination of kava and other medications leads to liver damage.

Some researchers from Australia have found that certain highly processed extracts from peeled kava roots do not carry the same risk of adverse effects. More research is needed to clarify causality and definitively asses the risk.

Those who want to take kava for anxiety or for other health reasons should only do so under the guidance of their doctor. In addition to potential liver damage, kava can also cause a number of side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, nausea, skin reactions and tremors.

High doses of kava for prolonged periods of time have resulted in a condition known as kava dermopathy, which is diagnosed with the occurrence of lesions on the skin. It is generally reversed upon quitting Kava use or by lowering the daily dosage.

Kava is only considered safe to use under medical supervision in small to moderate amounts on a short-term basis of up to 4 weeks. Using large doses of these supplements on a long-term basis can cause side effects, such as hair loss, partial hearing loss, appetite loss and dry, flaky skin with a yellowish appearance.

Those who take kava should not drive a car or operate machinery after taking it. Kava effects have been described by some as similar to alcohol, making it unsafe to use when performing these tasks.

Kava can interact with other drugs. Those who take anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety medications, alcohol, medications that work on the liver, diuretics or phenothiazine medications should ask their doctor about the safety of using kava.

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