Drug info - Kava-Kava Basics

[Alfa]

Introduction to Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)

Kava Kava is also known as "Awa" in Hawaii and "Yaqona" in Fiji. It is a legal herb with medicinal and mild narcotic properties. After his voyage to the South Seas in 1768, British explorer Captain James Cook first described for the Western world the ritual use of the intoxicating drink prepared from the Kava plant. The plant was named "Piper methysticum", or intoxicating pepper. Pacific islanders have used Kava for thousands of years. Although Kava was important for ceremonial occasions, the history of the South Pacific islands shows that the use of Kava was not limited to such gatherings. Kava was also taken before an ocean voyage and for ratification of agreements, and celebrations of marriages and births as well as deaths. It was considered a drink of the gods and was believed to cure illnesses and remove curses. In the 18th century Kava was used in almost all facets of life on the islands. Sharing a bowl of Kava fostered fellowship and socializing; it was unthinkable that Kava would not be a part of any significant event.

Research shows that the main active constituents in the root and rhizome (rootstock) are a group of resinous compounds called kava lactones. In the South Pacific today, Kava is served as a beverage, usually consumed at dusk before the evening meal because islanders feel a full stomach can inhibit its effects. After drinking, people typically eat smaller amounts of food because Kava tends to decrease the appetite. And while some islanders have described the taste of Kava as cool and refreshing, most who taste it find it has a bitter flavor with a temporary numbing effect on the tongue and inside of the mouth.

A few cupfuls of Kava will give an euphoric state of short duration characterized by tranquility and friendliness. This unique herb is used:

• as a muscle relaxant and as a diuretic
• to provide relief for all kinds of pain, including headaches and migraines
• to relieving some of the discomfort of menopausal women, including hot flashes, insomnia and general nervousness.
• for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic conditions, which is one of its traditional medicinal uses among South Sea Islanders.
• to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, and asthma
• to relieve fatigue and to increase energy
• as part of a treatment for tobacco, alcohol and drug withdrawal.

Kava wakes you up, and, at the same time, it calms you down, allowing you to increase productivity while reducing stress. It causes a deep sleep with no hangover, and it leaves the mind clear. It can also be chewed and kept in the mouth for the temporary relief of toothaches. It is legal, safe, and truly a remedy for the stress filled world of today.

Kava is available as a whole root and powder. Kava lactones are insoluble in water and are destroyed by heat. Ideally the herb should be first powdered and then mixed into COLD water for a few minutes. It must then be carefully squeezed through a cloth (cheesecloth works well) to release the active ingredients from the root stock fiber.

When using Kava for the first time, a teaspoon or two is used, mixed with a glass of your favorite juice or fruit smoothie (or prepare in the traditional method, stated above). It can be increased to up to one to two tablespoons, according to preference. Kava is a pure, natural root product, and its effect on you can depend on many things: your size, metabolism rate, and even your mood at the time. To promote a deep restful sleep one could take a small amount approximately 20 or 30 minutes before retiring.
Always check with your physician or pharmacist before combining with any prescription or over-the-counter drugs or medicines. It is not recommended to consume Kava if you are pregnant or nursing, or in combination with alcohol.

Since it is a relaxant, do not use it while operating heavy machinery or driving a vehicle.

Moderate use as described has not shown any harmful reactions. The only shown side effect is that a dry, scaliness of the skin may occur with overuse, over a long period of time (for instance, when the islanders drink several bowls of Kava a day, for years and years). And this condition disappears as soon as they stop drinking their Kava. It is also clear that when Fijians overdo their nightly Kava ritual, they can tend to be a bit sluggish in the morning.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great info alfa:) It looks like the perfect herb for me. Oggy

[darkglobe]

Maybe those experienced with Kava-Kava could post all the info they know about the drug? I myself know nothing, and I am becoming quite interested in it.

I'd like to know the good effects felt, the side effects felt, and the length of the "average" (if there is such a thing) experience. Also dosage figures would be useful.

[DEViANCE]

From someones experience from the 'Kava Experiences thread on the sticky'

Lets explore this 'hypothetical' and fictional experience report i've come across that seems to be written in a first person perspective.

Start:
It's been difficult to get hold of some good quality Kava here in the UK but I have finally found a good, legitimate source for this plant. My source states it's no more than 5 days old when they recieve it, it arrives in powdered root form and still has chunks of shreded root in the bag, sucking on one of these bits makes the affected area of the mouth tingly and numb. Interesting.

I've dabbled with this 3 or 4 times now and will write up my most recent experience with it.

Dosage/Mixture
I use 1 table spoon full with one cup of water, mixed together in a blender for about 2 minutes. This makes a nice brew, and to get the bigs of leftover root out I strain it through a coffee strainer(the ones where you push down the rod and it filters the bits, I forget the name) but I dropped and broke it so now a net curtain suffices,

Ingestion
I take and hold mouthful of this for about 30 secs before swallowing.The taste isn't too bad, certainly edible. I continue drinking/sipping in the manner over about 20 minutes. Untill half a cups gone.

Experience:

General effects
Onset is not noticable, I find myself day dreaming lightly, feeling slightly clearer and perhaps fresher then come to the realisation that it's working. I have definite feeling of well being and contentment, My thought process is more defined and articulate. If I had to describe the feeling in one word it would 'Bliss'

Sound and Vision:
Music sounds good, it sounds the same as in no audibly perceived enhancements but it's much more enjoyable mentally. Boards of canada - dayvan cowboy was an excellent choice as was some atmospheric trance.
Colours are percieved as lusher and slightly vibrant.

Mind
Thought provoked, not willing to do much. Just want to sit and relax.
Although there is definite control of this, I can go downstairs hold good conversation with family and friends, act and feel normal return upstairs sit back and it will kick back in. Concentration seems affected, doing a task then just start daydreaming.
Short term memory is almost non exsistant, Constantly trying to remember what I was just about to do.

Physiological
As far as I can tell no physical withdraw symptoms or dependancy. physiologicaly speaking though I find I keep wanting to go back and "have just a little more".

Physical
Tirednes, slight involuntary muscle twitches in extreamities (once or twice over the next couple of days, seems to always happen on Kava)
Heavy headed, sometimes needing to just lye down and relax.

Side Effects
Some stomach discomfort, nothing disabling. Minor headache at time of use and for a period after. Increased urination rate (Diuretic) which leads to slight dehydration after prolonged use.

I'll leave at that for now, might update at a later stage.

What more would you like to know that search wouldn't churn up

[oggy]

Swim just got 4 oz of cocoa/banana flavored kava paste. It says on the tub to eat a teaspoon at a time for a relaxed empathogenic experience. Take at 1 hour intervals and take no more than 6 per day.

Swim has had 2 teaspoons so far, he's feeling a little relaxed but nothing too exiting. Should Swim try eating half the tub or all of it to see if he gets a nice kava experience?

He'll probably eat half just now and report back in an hour.

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Well he just eat the full tub and never really got much effect from it, just a numb mouth and a little sleepy/relaxed. Swim may try the root powder next time.

[Bajeda]

It seems like the majority of people are disappointed with paste and extract experiences, especially when they have tried the root powder.

Swim personally found the paste to be not bad, but then again he didn't get a flavoured one. When he got the dehyrdated fresh root juice though, he found that to work much better and with more pleasurable effects.

I'd say to go with the root powder for the next time.