What does Kava do?
Traditionally, Kava is drunk for social purposes to relax the body and settle the mind while leaving thinking untouched. That description has held up remarkably well for three thousand years.
What People Typically Report
People commonly describe a temporary tingling or numbing sensation on the lips and tongue after drinking traditionally prepared Kava, followed by physical relaxation and a calm, sociable feeling while remaining mentally present.* Individual experiences vary.
Onset and Duration
Timing varies with preparation, amount consumed, body weight and whether you have eaten. People commonly report noticing the effects of traditionally prepared Kava within roughly fifteen to thirty minutes, with the experience most pronounced during the first hour or two and gradually tapering afterward.*
Because individual response varies, begin conservatively and wait before deciding whether to drink more.
The Pharmacology, Stated Honestly
Laboratory research has reported interactions between Kavalactones and GABAergic signaling, voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels, and other molecular targets.* The relative importance of these mechanisms in humans, particularly with traditionally prepared Kava, has not been definitively established.
Research into Kava continues, but mechanistic research should not be confused with evidence that Kava is a medicine or treatment for a medical or mental-health condition.
-Tyler Blythe
Co-Founder
Root of Happiness
Reverse Tolerance
Some new drinkers report little or no noticeable effect during their first few occasions with Kava and a more noticeable response later. This is commonly referred to as “reverse tolerance” in Kava culture, although the mechanism has not been established.* If your first shell produces little noticeable effect, that experience is not unusual.
What Kava is Not
Kava is not alcohol, and combining Kava with alcohol is discouraged. It is not a hallucinogen. Kava should not be presented or used as a substitute or replacement for alcohol, prescription medication, treatment for substance dependence, or medically supervised withdrawal care.
Kava is bitter, earthy and peppery. Most regular drinkers become accustomed to the flavor with experience and many eventually come to enjoy its nuanced flavors.
What Does Kava Feel Like? FAQ
The questions people ask most often about the kava experience, how quickly it begins, how long it lasts, and why different kavas can feel different.
People commonly describe a combination of physical relaxation, a calm and sociable disposition, and a feeling of being settled while remaining mentally present. Traditionally prepared kava also commonly produces a temporary tingling or numbing sensation in the mouth.
The experience varies substantially from person to person and from one kava to another.
Kava is a traditional botanical beverage, not a medicine or treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, or another medical or mental-health condition.
People commonly report noticing traditionally prepared kava within roughly 15 to 30 minutes, although timing varies with the preparation, amount consumed, food intake, individual response, and the particular kava.
The most noticeable part of a traditional kava session is commonly reported during the first hour or two, with the experience gradually tapering afterward. Stronger preparations, repeated shells, concentrated products, and individual differences can change the duration considerably.
Temporary tingling or numbness of the lips and tongue is a familiar characteristic of traditionally prepared kava and is associated with compounds naturally present in the root.
The sensation usually appears quickly after a shell and fades.
Some new drinkers report little or no noticeable effect during their first few experiences with kava and a more noticeable response later. Within kava culture this is commonly called reverse tolerance.
The mechanism has not been established, and other explanations can also matter, including weak preparation, insufficient kneading, a large meal, the particular cultivar, or individual variability.
“Reverse tolerance” is the term commonly used in kava culture for the observation that some people report a stronger or more noticeable response after several kava sessions than they did the first time.
It is a reported phenomenon rather than a fully established pharmacological mechanism. Not every new drinker will necessarily experience it.
These are informal terms used by kava drinkers to describe broad differences in the subjective character of different kavas.
Heady generally describes a lighter, more sociable or mentally prominent profile. Balanced describes a middle ground between mental and physical character. Heavy generally describes a more physically prominent, settled, or longer-lasting experience.
These are practical drinking terms, not formal medical or scientific classifications, and individual response varies.
Chemotype can help characterize the relative balance of the six major kavalactones and can provide useful context for why different cultivars behave differently, but it does not perfectly predict a person's experience.
Total kavalactone content, the absolute amounts of individual compounds, cultivar, preparation strength, plant material, growing conditions, processing, and individual response can all matter.
No. Strength and quality are not the same thing.
A more concentrated preparation may produce a more noticeable experience, but that does not tell you whether the raw material is high quality, whether the cultivar is appropriate for beverage use, or whether its profile is one you will enjoy. The best kava is not necessarily the one with the largest number on the lab report.
Many drinkers report a more noticeable experience when kava is consumed before a meal or some time after eating rather than immediately following a heavy meal.
Food intake is only one variable, however. Preparation strength, the particular kava, amount consumed, and individual response can also affect the experience.
Kava and alcohol are different substances with different chemistry and patterns of use. Kava drinkers commonly describe remaining mentally present while experiencing physical relaxation and a calm, sociable disposition.
Yes. Feeling mentally present does not mean coordination, reaction time, or motor performance are necessarily unaffected.
That is why kava should not be consumed before driving or operating machinery.
Kava is not considered physically addictive in the way that term is applied to alcohol or sedative pharmaceuticals, and it is not associated with a comparable withdrawal syndrome. As with any habit-forming ritual, people can develop a psychological attachment to a daily routine — worth being aware of, but a different thing.
No. Root of Happiness does not present kava as a treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, insomnia, or any other medical or mental-health condition.
Kava is a traditional botanical beverage whose place is in gathering, conversation, reflection, relaxation, and calm. It should not be used as a substitute for appropriate medical or mental-health care, prescribed medication, treatment for substance dependence, or medically supervised withdrawal.
No. Kava has its own botanical, cultural, and social history and should be understood on its own terms rather than marketed as a substitute for another substance.
Some people may choose to drink kava in social situations where others drink alcohol, but Root of Happiness does not present kava as a treatment for alcohol use or as a replacement for alcohol, medication, or professional care.
Different kava, different session
Heady, balanced and heavy kavas produce noticeably different sessions. A sample pack is the easiest way to find the one that suits you.
Important
This guide is provided for educational purposes and reflects traditional use, published research, and our own experience sourcing, testing, manufacturing and serving kava since 2006. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kava products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Kava is for adults only. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not combine with alcohol. Do not drive or operate machinery after consuming kava. Consult a physician before use if you have or have had liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or take any medication. Discontinue use and consult a physician if you experience symptoms that may signal liver problems, including jaundice, unusual fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or dark urine.