Things to Consider Before Drinking Kava

Kava is gaining traction around the world as a natural alternative to things like anti-depressants and anxiety medications. Where people want to avoid hard medication as much as possible, they instead want to turn to natural remedies. The increasing accessibility of kava, including convenient products like micronized kava, is making its consumption easier than ever. But there are things to consider before consuming micronized kava, or kava in any other form.

Consideration 1: Your Reasons for Drinking Kava

First, you should think about the real reason you want to consume kava. If you are drinking it purely for the “high” and expect it to be like an experience of taking recreational drugs, then you might want to rethink. While kava is pure, natural, and carries many potential benefits to its consumers, it’s not without any risk at all, and should not be taken willy-nilly.

If you are experiencing heightened anxiety, trouble sleeping, or extreme levels of stress at work or in other areas of your personal life, then kava can be a nice channel through which to discover a greater sense of calm and relaxation. It might be worth consulting a doctor before using, but it’s always best to have a genuine and beneficial reason for using it beyond just pure enjoyment.

Consideration 2: When You Will Drink Kava in the Day

While current evidence shows that kava consumption doesn’t impair your ability to drive, it should be noted that the times of day that you consume kava do matter. Some people consume kava whenever they want in the day, without considering how it might impact their other activities. Kava is not intoxicating in the same way that alcohol is, but if the heightened sense of relaxation is combined with a warm, quiet car, for instance, or a warm and quiet office, then driving risks could be present, as could a huge hit to your office productivity!

Equally, if you are someone who works operating heavy machinery day to day, then kava consumption before that operation might not be a good idea. While not intoxicating, if it means that you’re not delivering your full focus and energy, then it’s not safe.

Consideration 3: How Your Kava is Sourced

Some people favor cheap kava products in the hope of getting the same positive effect for less money. When you skimp on the cost, you inevitably sacrifice quality, but more importantly, you sacrifice things like ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Kava root farming and preparation could be a huge booming industry for otherwise impoverished communities in Pacific island countries, but those benefits won’t come unless we the consumer also agree to keep our sourcing considerations both ethical and sustainable.

Consideration 4: Will You Consume Alcohol on the Same Day?

Mixing kava and alcohol is a very bad idea. It is believed that enzymes used to break down both alcohol and kava are the same, which means simultaneous consumption could lead to some negative side effects.

Therefore, if you were thinking of consuming kava in the afternoon, but are then planning a big night out at bars with friends on the same night, reconsider that plan of action.

Consideration 5: Recommended Doses

Finally, one should strictly adhere to the recommended doses of kava to be consumed as stated on the specific product packaging that you have purchased. It is true that kava has something called a “reverse tolerance” factor, which means that your body actually grows increasingly susceptible to the effects of kava the more you consume it.

Where many things like alcohol and even spicy food can be consumed in a way in which your body increasingly tolerates them and you feel the effects less, kava is the opposite. It can lead some to go overboard on their early trials of using it. Remain patient and stick to recommended doses, but just know that it can take your body time to adapt.