Does Kava actually do anything - Or is it fake and gay like salvia and kratom and chamomile

[Your Starter for 10]

I've started noticing (!) some Kava places pop up in my vicinity, and tried to google it, but there's no real info out there (just some faggot reddit forums and a bunch of AI generated articles), so I can't get a straight answer on even what it's supposed to do. Is it supposed to make you drunk or give you energy? I mean I highly doubt it does either of those, but I don't want to go into to some faggot hovel to find out.

Anyway, I figured if anyone knew and had a real answer, it'd be you nerds. Thanks in advance.

 

[OrionBalls]

It's a mild sedative that may also have euphoric properties. That gas station, head shop stuff probably won't do much, though. Why doesn't anyone use Erowid anymore? They used to be my first stop for drug information and experience descriptions.

 

[.iota.]

yes, but it's a traditional southeast asian ceremonial plant, so of course it's use has been misinterpreted in the west.

here, it's purported to induce a mellow, euphoric state or to help with sleep. but it's usually consumed as a powder, liquid, or tincture. the problem is that the whole plant is rarely available here, and using only the processed plant material removes most of the phytochemicals that potentiate its effect. it's also fat-soluble, not water-soluble, so consuming it as a tea or as an extract in a beverage is useless, except that prolonged consumption may cause photosensitivity similar to prolonged st. john's wort consumption.

traditionally, and disturbingly, it's consumed by an entire community, who will harvest the plant along with coconuts, chew the leaves (to break down the fibers) while consuming coconut (to help with solubility), then spit the macerated pulp and saliva/liquid into a communal drinking vessel, to which coconut milk/water may or may not be added, before the resulting mixture is passed person to person, usually as the community gathers around a fire at the beginning of ceremonies intended to strengthen the tribal bond. they don't consume it regularly, certainly not daily, and not having light skin, they don't have issues with photosensitivity either.

 

[JelloJerk]

You mean Fiji Kava? I've seen it advertised as an alcohol alternative, but with the prices I've been seeing, I'm sticking to liver failure.

 

[OrionBalls]

You mean Fiji Kava? I've seen it advertised as an alcohol alternative, but with the prices I've been seeing, I'm sticking to liver failure.

Kava can lead to liver issues in prolonged use, as well. All things in moderation, right? Kava also won't fuck you up the way alcohol does. It seems to be mostly a very gentle high from what I've read.

 

[OrangeJuliusEvola]

Yes, it does do something, though sourcing really matters. Most of the shit sold outside of actual Oceanian expat communities is of questionable safety, quality and strength. Even the quality stuff is very much an acquired taste. It tastes like a mud puddle mixed with Novocaine. Generally speaking, the high quality stuff will make your mouth somewhat numb as you drink it. Unlike most drugs, eating something while drinking it makes the feeling stronger and smoother. I like to chase mine with bananas or a pork dish.

You aren't going to trip balls or anything. You'll just feel really mentally and physically relaxed while still remaining clear headed. It's pretty good for muscle aches. If you have too much, you'll be hella groggy all the next day.

 

[Beautiful Border]

From what I've read about Kava, I'm not sure why anyone would choose it over alcohol? It sounds like it does the same thing, but not as good. As in, the whole appeal is "it's basically like booze but not actually booze". The whole thing reeks of hipsterism. "Oh, you're drinking beer like a common shmuck? I'm drinking Kava, not that you'd know what that is". It's like the drug equivalent of riding around on a unicycle or something.

 

[Caligura]

Yes, it does do something, though sourcing really matters. Most of the shit sold outside of actual Oceanian expat communities is of questionable safety, quality and strength. Even the quality stuff is very much an acquired taste. It tastes like a mud puddle mixed with Novocaine. Generally speaking, the high quality stuff will make your mouth somewhat numb as you drink it. Unlike most drugs, eating something while drinking it makes the feeling stronger and smoother. I like to chase mine with bananas or a pork dish.

You aren't going to trip balls or anything. You'll just feel really mentally and physically relaxed while still remaining clear headed. It's pretty good for muscle aches. If you have too much, you'll be hella groggy all the next day.

RETVRN.

 

[Dropsies]

It's like alcohol but worse and weaker generally. The only reason I'd choose this over alcohol is that you don't stumble around even if you get really drunk.

 

[Sebben Crudele II]

I had to comment because of the subtitle. What's wrong with chamomile? It's great tea if you're indigested.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

I would recommend it if you're interested in using it for anxiety. Getting wasted? Not so much. You'd be better off drinking alcohol if you just want to be intoxicated.

RETVRN.
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Bula vinaka!

 

[Dysnomia]

I hear it makes you pee a lot. That's all I know about it.

 

[XYZpdq Jr.]

probably ten years or so ago I got some pills of it from a buddy who didn't like them. I recall it was a decent little chill but nothing amazing. Couple of beers type thing.

iirc you're supposed to keep it far from your booze consumption.

 

[Prokhor Zakharov]

If you're looking for something that is a sedative, to help you get to sleep, or in really low doses, to help with anxiety, try Valerian Root instead.

Valerian is much more well characterized and doesn't carry the same liver risk. Just keep track of your mental wellbeing when you start taking it. Just like anything else that can help with sleep or anxiety and works through the GABA system, if you have the wrong neurochemistry, it can cause sudden depression/depressive symptoms, but it is unusual. If this happens, just stop taking it and you should feel back to normal within 25-48 hours. I have never heard of it having any kind of prolonged effects once stopped and if it doesn't happen after you first start taking it then it is very unlikely to ever happen.

I would also suggest trying to use it on a one day on/one day off, or 3-4 days on / 3-4 days off if you intend to use it chronically rather than acutely. The reason for this is just like everything else that influences the GABA system, tolerance will occur otherwise.

I had to comment because of the subtitle. What's wrong with chamomile? It's great tea if you're indigested.

Well, when it comes to anxiolytics and calmatives, chamomile is the weakest known agent in humans, right along with catnip (which does have a mild sedative action in people). As such, most people, unless they are very aware of their mental state, will fail to notice the effect it has, since it is so mild. But it is always my first suggestion for anyone with mild insomnia or has a tendency to wake in the night and not be able to get back to sleep.

 

[OrangeJuliusEvola]

Valerian is much more well characterized and doesn't carry the same liver risk.

Most of kava's hepatoxicity comes from unscrupulous suppliers using leaf and stem powder rather than solely root powder. Traditionally, only root is used in the making of kava. Granted, it's not without risk from overuse even traditionally, but the root contains far less hepatoxic compounds.

It's why I argue that people stay far away from Westernized kava bars and unvetted suppliers. There's zero quality control there.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

Most of kava's hepatoxicity comes from unscrupulous suppliers using leaf and stem powder rather than solely root powder. Traditionally, only root is used in the making of kava. Granted, it's not without risk from overuse even traditionally, but the root contains far less hepatoxic compounds.

It's why I argue that people stay far away from Westernized kava bars and unvetted suppliers. There's zero quality control there.

Most kava bars in the US are just kratom bars taking advantage of kava's more positive reputation. Only one I know of outside Hawaii that serves just kava is Bula Kava House.

As for buying kava, I just look at what's approved by Kava Forum and the kava subreddit. You're unlikely to get the liver killer stuff doing that. Never had an issue with it being too weak, but I'm quite a light weight when it comes to kava. Just one shell is enough to get me nice and chill.

 

[Disgruntled Pupper]

Have you ever looked at grass and thought "Man, I wish someone would liquify that and add some Oragel so I could drink it" ? Then you might enjoy Kava.

It does have an effect, or at least it did on me, although due to my weird body chemistry I didn't really experience anything positive from it. It didn't throw me into a outright frothing rage like CBD and sometimes weed does to me, but I just remember having no patience for other people and having no inhibitions in letting everyone know. The first time I just walked out of the Kava Bar because I was bored and the music sucked without telling anyone else in the group and wandered around by myself for a couple hours while ignoring them trying to call me. Another time I was talking with one of my coworkers but I got bored and just walked away mid-sentence. Later that night a male coworker that I hated tried to talk to me and I just flat out said "You're a fuck-boy and I don't like you and I don't care about what you have to say" and walked away. It was odd.

 

[.iota.]

If you're looking for something that is a sedative, to help you get to sleep, or in really low doses, to help with anxiety, try Valerian Root instead.

forewarning: valerian root stinks, like, fills a room with what-the-fuck-is-that stinks!
cats and other small furry animals love it, too, so store it properly or they will find it.
the best way to avoid the funk is to purchase it as a tincture.

Well, when it comes to anxiolytics and calmatives, chamomile is the weakest known agent in humans, right along with catnip (which does have a mild sedative action in people).

But it is always my first suggestion for anyone with mild insomnia or has a tendency to wake in the night and not be able to get back to sleep.

agreed, though generally speaking, with any type of herb use, it's suggested that a person start with the "lightest" part of a plant and the gentlest method of extraction. so for anxiety, sleep. or tension, starting with a tea (an infusion or tisane) of a flowering herb, such as catnip or chamomile is suggested before using a stronger infusion of the denser parts of a plants, such as the hops flower or skullcap leaves, which is suggested before using a decoction (simmering) or extraction of the densest part of a plant such as valerian root. it's an escalation to alleviation philosophy.

Traditionally, only root is used in the making of kava.

this is correct, and i was mistaken in my previous post. i responded a bit too hastily, and with poor recollection.

 

[Critical Raxx Theory]

Tastes like mud. Very slight numbing of the lips if you can get it down. Mild relaxing effect (I'd describe it as about the same as a soak in a hot bath levels of relaxing).
I wonder if it effects the islanders more than the white man. Was available everywhere fresh where I used to live.

Now chewing coca leaves, there's something I can get behind

 

[Sebben Crudele II]

forewarning: valerian root stinks, like, fills a room with what-the-fuck-is-that stinks!
cats and other small furry animals love it, too, so store it properly or they will find it.
the best way to avoid the funk is to purchase it as a tincture.

Also tilia leaves. Tilia tea is well known by grandmas to calm you the fuck down, plus it's safe so you can have a liter of it if you want to. Just like with valerian, it smells like unwashed ass, tastes horrible, but damn if it works.
If you want to make the tea more palatable you can have other herbs with it, mints in general work great, also chamomile (adds to the calming effect though not by much, it's more digestion oriented really) or lemon verbena if you have it (will add a lemony taste).