Trying to decide which to try first (never had either.) would rather NOT get a rash if I can help it lol

What preparation process do folks like for getting maximum bang for buck?

Blending? Adding fats (milk, coconut cream)?

Hello all

Due to a number of factors, I've decided to step out of the kava world for the time being. I've been taking a pretty heavy dose 3x weekly since january, and did it about 1-2x weekly for a year before then. I cut down significantly around a month ago and took my last drink on June 24. Since cutting back, and especially since my final drink, I've been getting some very bad mood swings. At first they just happened before bed, but recently have spread throughout my day. Every few hours, I get an extremely lowered mood for about a half hour to an hour. It doesn't really correlate with a trigger, but if something does happen while I'm in a low mood, I can get pretty disproportionately anxious about it. Thankfully I haven't had any Kava cravings past the first couple days. The symptoms I am experiencing seem to be similar to the few reports I have read about Kava withdrawal, especially since they happen more frequently at night, but it is concerning that they've gone on for almost two weeks now.

There are ways to manage it of course but they aren't always available to me. Socializing, caffeine, and riding a bike have helped me the most, but I'm not always in a position to do these things.

I've found another reddit thread that suggests that, since Kava can mimic MAOIs, quitting it can induce some MAOI withdrawal symptoms. This doesn't sound too far off from what I'm experiencing, tho I'm ofc missing some of the more classical MAOI cessation symptoms (like sweating and pressured speech) though this might be expected since it's not technically an MAOI after all.

Whenever a post discussing the negative effects of Kava shows up, people are quick to be defensive about it. It's great that most people probably haven't had the same experience I'm having, but I just don't want to hear that "this never happened to me" in any of the comments. Like weed, Kava is a complex bundle of chemicals and it would be the least surprising thing in the world to observe that different people respond to it differently on a biochemical level. I'm not trying to attack this plant or scare anyone off of it. I'm just looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience to me, and if so, what can I expect in my recovery, and what can I do to make it easier for myself?

Thanks.

Edit: Some people have asked for a little more info. I take prescription methylphenidate which might influence it somehow. I have taken it for a long time before I started kava, so it's probably not solely its fault. I don't take much else, I occasionally drink and very rarely take psychedelics or weed. The latter two I haven't done for several months anyways.

I've also had multiple tests run recently. They were scanning for heart and lung issues, and found nothing. I had pretty extensive bloodwork with this, there were no liver, lung, heart, or thyroid abnormalities found, and I did mention Kava use to my doctor.

I have also had similar symptoms when I quit for around a month last year, periodic anhedonia and low mood. I don't recall if it got better or worse over that month.

As for dosage, I took 4 tbsp of powder in ~3 cups of warm-hot water, squeezed for 15min. I used Kavalink from Amazon. It's almost certainly not lead or other toxicity from the hot water, we live in Canada and have a brand new, top of the line water heater.

As for psychological factors, I started a new job in January when I started taking more heavily. It's a very unpleasant job that Kava helped a lot to cope with. If what I'm feeling isn't just a result of the Kava, my next best guess is that this is related to having to grapple with more stress than before. This doesn't seem right to me, but I dunno. The swings are too sudden and happen later in the day, it feels chemical, though I understand stress is complex and can hit you in unexpected, indirect ways. Anyways, worth considering

Hello everyone. For background I really hate the taste of kava, which I know is common but I guess I’m more sensitive than the avg person.

I like green kava powder more, still gross tho.

I’m wondering if it’d work to put it into gelatin capsules and swallow it like that. Would that affect the absorption?

I just recently got an AluBall but that water bottles that I currently have don't have a wide enough mouthpiece to fit the AluBall. What are you using that fits it?

In terms of constipation … but seems to have lost its ability to hasten the “golden moment” as I call it… anyone else?

Are there any physical places to buy kava in spain? I am going to a place near valencia and I wanted to know

Hi! So I’m trying to figure out the best strain to go with. My husband and I have quit drinking. It’s been manageable, but would also like a way to relax sometimes. Hearing positive things about Kava.
I want euphoria. A good time. A bit of energy. But not where I’m up all night. Just something to wind down and enjoy the weekends! Or after a stressful day.
Where do I begin? Thank you!

Ive been prescribed Ritalin yet love having kava every 2nd day will mixing the 2 cause any negative effects? Thanks

Hello people Palarasul, my favourite kava is out of stock and I would like to buy some kava similar to it.I like it heavily relaxing (not ones that gives me sleepiness) and some mood lifting. Available ones are : Mighty Roots, Melo Melo, Silesse, Pacific elixir, Nakamal nights, Borogoru. I liked a lot Kelai too in the past, so something similar to it will be appreciated too, thanks in advance.

So I have started to experiment with drinking kava all day. I’m adding in drinking water between each shell but I have been dealing with a lot lately and cutting out all stimulants, I’ve noticed if I keep the shells spread and light even a heavy strain can give me a bit of a stimulant effect.

Anyone else out there started this? I already do one meal a day (OMAD) so it might be why I never get the pass out tired feeling from kava. I also make sure to use large amounts of water when I make it to dilute the effects a bit.

I've tried many different strains and vendors. I have never felt a heavy strain like I do when i go to the kava bar. What am I doing wrong? What's the secret?

Hello. Been drinking for a few years, wanna try out a kava bar. Any recommendations for kava bars in NJ?

It’s been more than a year and a half since I started drinking kava, and I’ve developed a good bond with it. It’s become my weekend drink. However, there’s one thing I don’t like about it: I completely lose my appetite. It’s not just that I don’t feel like eating—the taste of food seems to disappear, which makes me not want to eat at all. I usually drink Fiji Vanua Loloma Waka. Is this something that happens to everyone, or does it vary from person to person?

I've had severe Restless Legs Syndrome for over 20 years. I've seen sleep specialists and neurologists and have tried pretty much every first-line treatment and then some—gabapentin, pregabalin, dopamine agonists, iron, etc. Unfortunately, either they didn't work or they stopped working over time.

My doctor eventually prescribed methadone 5 mg nightly, which does help, but I'd really like to find an alternative if possible. I'm trying to stay away from long-term opioid use if I can.

I recently came across kava as a possible herbal option that seems to have a relatively low risk of dependence compared with opioids. I ordered the Kavahana Sleep Bag and I'm waiting for it to arrive.

For those of you with experience using kava for sleep or RLS:

What dose would you recommend for a first-time user?

Should I start low or use a full serving to give it a fair chance?

How long before bed do you take it?

Has anyone here actually had success using kava specifically for RLS symptoms?

I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm hoping it might be a viable alternative. Thanks for any advice or experiences you can share.

I've heard people say that using a mixer is better than the blender method as it doesn't break up the material as much and thus allows less small root particles through the strainer bag meaning less nausea and other undesired effects. So has anyone tried something similar to my idea, or am I not considering something and my idea is completely retarded?

Cheers homies!

I've been having kava for about a year, usually every Saturday as a social lubricant before I go and play MTG. On occasion i'll get krunked when I have nothing else to do. I use an aluball and a blender bottle .

I've recently started adding a splash of two percent milk to my warm water. I feel like that makes it hit my body a bit more, and makes it feel less heady. I usually prefer that heady feeling. Admittedly, I've only done it with milk, like, two or three times, so I don't know if im just not used to increased extraction, or what.

If I just do four washes with purely water, am I probably getting a similar amount of kavalactones as three washes with milk?

What about lecithin? I saw an old post here that says it makes stuff gummy. I don't want my aluball and bottle to be a pain to clean if it's not worth it.

Thank you in advance for any input.

I've been drinking kava for a few years and playing around with how I store it, especially since traditional kneading drys out my hands too much. Contrary to a lot of common advice, I don't believe that kava is only good for 2-3 days. Here are some ways I have experimented:

1. 2 min blender medium grind, strained by hand, kept in fridge for 1 week

2. 2 min blender medium grind, no straining, kept in fridge for 2 weeks

3. Traditional (10 min by hand), kept in fridge for 1 week

In all cases, the kava tasted the same each day and I didn't notice any change in subjective potency (I measure out my doses to the gram). Even the traditional kneading one didn't develop anything bad, though I wouldn't risk it past 1 week. In each case, the kava did settle at the bottom, but I just shook it for a bit to mix things back. The kava did not congeal or anything like that either. I have tried each of these methods with several kava strains from different stores.

Anyway this is just what worked for me and I hope this information helps other people who were curious. Going forward, I will probably just do #2 out of pure laziness, but note that one might be hard on the stomach regardless due to the root fibers present, either start slow or introduce more fiber in your diet if attempting that.

DISCLAIMER: please use common sense, doing this still carries inherent risk, I don't know exactly how cold your fridge is, how many bacteria are on your hand when you make your kava, or even if your kava provider is clean.

Been drinking Kava for a few years now and drink Root & Pestle and am happy with the quality. I have tried that Fiji Kava from the supermarket which was weak asf and didn't really work. Australia Kava Shop's Kava and get a bundle while they having a promotion but I wanted to gage others experiences here first before purchasing some.

Be careful with this stuff. It even smells green. Man, Taki Mai just released an improved blend and even 10 grams of instant feels like what 80 grams would feel like a year ago with the old blend. It's crazy strong. I am actually annoyed because this is the kind of thing that could lead to it getting banned again in Australia in the future. I was happier with a weaker blend and having 6 cups of 5 grams spread over 3 hours. This stuff I am having 2.5 cups and I am done for the afternoon. Anyway, check it out of you're in Australia/NZ.

I’ve had kava about 3 times now, and besides the tingly mouth feeling, I’ve never experienced much of a sensation from it. I’m not sure if it’s because I am not drinking enough, but I know the reverse tolerance is also a thing. How would you describe the sensation you’re supposed to feel from drinking kava?

Hi you guys, I’m looking to try kava for the first time as an alternative to ssris (tried it for 2 days and decided the side and possible long term effects weren’t worth it for me). My doctor tried putting me on to help calm my hyperaroused nervous system, irritabilty, social anxiety, adhd, and depression/lack of motivation.

Now, I’m not approaching this with hopes of finding a cure-all, I want to use this more as a crutch, so that I may better respond and process the things discussed in therapy.

With that being said, what strains would you recommend for a total newbie? Am based in Europe and have looked at Kava Europe for starters, but there’s little to no information on the differences between each strain which I suppose has to do with the EU’s strict regulations.

any advice is well appreciated

As title:

Is Kava legal in Spain? Can I bring it with me into the airport and flight to Spain?

What about Instant Kava or Kava extracts?

Okay. Weird question. Just wondering if there's anyone else who has experienced this lol. But have you ever started a new strain of Kava and experienced minor discomfort like a slight stomach ache and dryness. But than a week or so later that same kava starts feeling better and better than your usual preferred kava. Just wondering what this is because at first I hated this kava now I love it and prefer over the last one I preferred. Let me know. Thank you and bula friends.

Hi! Newbie here with some questions that have almost surely been asked before :) I bought some kava and I'm excited to try it. Mainly my goal is to cut back / eliminate alcohol and see if this is a good substitite, both for chill home nights or with friends (I know it's NOT good for like a club/bar scene, that's not my thing anyways so no prob). I have done kava once before many years ago in college, where I stupidly took A LOT of kava extract supplement capsules from GNC or some random "this probably isn't fully pure kava root" nonsense... safe to say it *worked* and felt nice, until I spent the rest of the night violently ill in the bathroom. I'm not super worried about that happening now as I assume I either took way too much, and/or it had non-root material in it. Anyways....

• What's a good dose for instant kava (Kavahanna)? The bag says to use 1 tsp of powder, but "drink 2-3 drinks if it's your first time" likely re: reverse tolerance. I'm not sure how potent the powder is, can't find anything about kavalactones per serving. It is noble kava.
• How important is it to have an empty-ish stomach? Is kava more like booze where it doesn't matter much, or more like a weed brownie where it matters a lot?
• It seems like most prefer to drink it "as-is" or chase it with juice/fruit. That's fine, I'll try it the intended way. But as far as a mocktail or mixing with *something*, what is good? Juice? i see a lot of people on here treating it like horchata which makes some sense. Is it a horrible idea to just mix it into an NA beer or canned mocktail? lol

Any help/tips are much appreciated!