Skip to main content
Supplement Research and Comparison Website•Best Price Guarantee
Supplement Research and Comparison Website
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Kava Tea for Anxiety Relief

A user inquires about the use of Kava tea as an alternative to alcohol for anxiety relief, while a virtual assistant provides a detailed overview of its potential benefits and risks, including liver toxicity, dermatological reactions, and drug interactions.

    • So i got this Kava tea. I heard it’s an alternative for alcohol and that it relieves anxiety. It is psychoactive and my last experience with weed was bad. ik they’re not the same but are both psychoactive. could I have a bad reaction? I really want to try Kava for my anxiety and to chill out.

  • Kava tea, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is known for its relaxing and anxiolytic properties123. However, it’s essential to be aware of both its benefits and potential risks, especially given your concern about psychoactive substances.

    Effects and Benefits

    1. Anxiety Relief: Kava has been shown to be effective in treating tension and anxiety. It can induce a state of relaxation similar to alcohol without impairing mental clarity13.
    2. Relaxation: Many users report feelings of relaxation, talkativeness, and euphoria1.

    Potential Risks and Side Effects

    1. Hepatotoxicity: One of the most serious concerns with kava use is the risk of liver injury. There have been reports of severe liver damage, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure, although some disputes about the exact cause (potentially adulterants or other concomitant drugs/herbals) exist14.
    2. Dermatological Reactions: Chronic, heavy use of kava can lead to a condition called kava dermopathy, characterized by dry, scaly, and yellow skin5.
    3. Neurological Effects: While kava doesn't generally impair cognitive functions, there have been isolated reports of severe reactions, like dermatomyositis and psychotic episodes67.
    4. Drug Interactions: Kava may potentiate the effects of other central nervous system depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines, leading to increased drowsiness and motor reflex depression4.
    5. Regulations and Safety Concerns: Due to safety concerns, kava has been banned or restricted in several countries. Cases of severe hepatic injury have led authorities in countries like Germany, Switzerland, France, and Canada to take regulatory actions against kava-containing products48.

    Personal Considerations

    Given your past adverse experience with another psychoactive substance (weed) and considering kava’s psychoactive properties, there’s a potential for a negative reaction, although kava and cannabis work differently in the body.

    Recommendation

    If you decide to try kava tea, it is crucial to:

    • Consult a Healthcare Professional: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take other medications.
    • Start with Low Doses: Begin with the lowest recommended dose to assess your tolerance.
    • Monitor for Side Effects: Be vigilant about monitoring for any adverse reactions or side effects, particularly liver-related symptoms (jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain).

    Given the potential risks, weighing them against the benefits and your comfort level with psychoactive substances is important.

    Footnotes

    1. Kava Kava - LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf. LiverTox ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

    2. The neurobehavioural effects of kava - PubMed. PubMed ↩

    3. Examine.com Kava. Examine ↩ ↩2

    4. Health and Drug Alert: Herbal kava: reports of liver toxicity. NCBI ↩ ↩2 ↩3

    5. Toxicokinetics of Kava. NCBI ↩

    6. Kava-induced acute cutaneous toxicity. NCBI ↩

    7. Inflammatory sebotropic reaction associated with kava kava ingestion. NCBI ↩

    8. Toxicity of Kava Kava. NCBI ↩

New Topic
Back to top