Something I Have Noticed About Kava...

[Dr.Shopper]

One thing I've definitely noticed about kava is that, like weed, it can have pretty drastically different effects depending on where it is sourced from and how it is grown. The variations can be quite huge like that between different strains of marijuana. I've tried a lot and I've noticed that in general, kava from Hawaii is a very mellow, mood elevating and socially enhancing buzz...whereas some kava I've had from Vanuatu has been WAY stronger with more of a body numbing, completely inebriating "fucks you up" kind of buzz. Some kava I enjoy, and some I don't. All the kava I've had from Papua New Guinea has been a bit unpleasant, some of it has even put me in what I would describe as a dysphoric and anxious state, and some of it has literally made me just crash into a deep sleep for long periods of time. There are still many I have yet to try, but I just find it odd how different everything I've tried has been. I've never used two different kava products that produced the same results, even when they're from the same country. Does anybody else have the same experience, and what country provides the best kava for purely anti-anxiety/mood elevating properties?

 

[nattydread111]

my $.02

I recommend kava extract. This is what I use: Herb Pharm Pharma Kava 4 oz it indicates the quantity of kavalactones which is the psycoactive found in kava.

i do think there may be some type of tolereance to kavalactonesbecause if i dont use it for a few days i seem to get more of a numbing effect

also i too have heard that there are differnt strengths of kava. must be due to kavalactones % and extraction method. simular to varying levels of thc % in different weed strains

 

[mgrady3]

tread carefully here

even though kava is legal we don't allow sourcing on Bluelight - thus we don't talk about specific vendors even for things like kratom or kava that you can buy at the store.

 

[ErgicMergic]

No sourcing as said, but I have to say I agree with nattydread111, it is a legit extract, numbs the mouth with good effects.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Without sourcin, do the previously mentioned come with dosin directions? And I noticed that the first "other ingredients" is grain alcohol. Would that be high enough to register on a breathalizer? Stupid probation, I have to do them often so I was just wonderin if it'd show up because I'm really interested in the energy and mood extracts. TIA!

 

[Cane2theLeft]

The dosing directions on over the counter preparations will be very low and you probably won't feel much from what most recommend. Just titrate up slowly.

I like to swirl the kava in my mouth to feel the numbness so doing this would make you blow laughably high on a breathalyzer for about 15 minutes (as in exceed levels indicative of fatal alcohol poisoning). If you just take it orally then it's relative to the amount taken. The 1oz tinctures are the ones I always see in the stores and they are often high proof grain alcohol but a single dose I take is a fraction of the bottle so it's unlikely to register on a breathalyzer unless you take a huge dose, are tiny and/or get tested very shortly after ingestion.

 

[Pjkt2501]

Ah I've had a locally purchased tincture sample before, now that I think about it.

Talk about being focused...

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Thanks Cane2theLeft!

 

[Escapedysphoria]

Kava has a nice, but very subtle anxiolytic effect. Makes a me a little more sociable and calm. Never noticed anything drastic or an inebriating effect. Potentiates benzodiazepines quite nicely. Keyword for Kava has always been "subtle" for me. I've tried various extracts and what not.

 

[Dr.Shopper]

Trust me, if you know where to look there are powders out there that are EXTREMELY potent and inebriating, the subtle kavas are the lower quality ones, you'll never find a potent kava product that's sold in capsule or tincture form. Some of the kava I've had provides a much better buzz than any benozodiazepines, imo.

 

[Escapedysphoria]

Trust me, if you know where to look there are powders out there that are EXTREMELY potent and inebriating, the subtle kavas are the lower quality ones, you'll never find a potent kava product that's sold in capsule or tincture form. Some of the kava I've had provides a much better buzz than any benozodiazepines, imo.

Hmm I'd like to give em' a try, sounds fun.

 

[ErgicMergic]

Trust me, if you know where to look there are powders out there that are EXTREMELY potent and inebriating, the subtle kavas are the lower quality ones, you'll never find a potent kava product that's sold in capsule or tincture form. Some of the kava I've had provides a much better buzz than any benozodiazepines, imo.

4 servings of that tincture (160 drops) should be equiavalent to ~250mg of Kavalactones, which is about an average cup of kava. 40 drops gives me decent anxiolysis now that benzo tolerance has dropped.

 

[Cane2theLeft]

If you can find tunctures or pills that are standardized extracts where the kavalactone content is listed, it makes dosing a lot easier. There are dosing guidelines around and effects will certainly vary by product but if you want to really feel it, 300-400mg kavalactone doses should give you a feel for dosing without being overwhelming. My girlfriend is tiny and typically sensitive to most drugs and 600mg doses (10 pills with 60mg kavalactones a piece) are enjoyable but don't knock her out.

As has been discussed previously though, effects do vary by product. I've had some standardized pills that felt considerably stronger or weaker but the range in effects with standardized extracts is narrower than with something that just claims to contain kava root in pill or tincture form. As far as pills go, I wouldn't even bother getting any where the kavalactone content isn't listed. I have had some success with tinctures that don't list that though.

Just to echo some of the sentiments above, kava alone isn't going to be able to compete with most recreational drugs. If I am stressed or anxious it can be nice but on it's own I don't find it wildly recreational... used with other drugs like opioids (with responsible dose adjustments of course), it really synergizes beautifully.