This is my fourth time preparing kava and I believe the effect this time around is more pleasant. Initially I prepared a more dilute version which gave me a numb mouth sensation, but I did not think I was feeling relaxed. Preparation: The preparation was 4 heaping tablespoons with 1 to 1&1/2 cup of water.
Kava
Encyclopedic
Encyclopedic
Typical encyclopedia coverage. Cross-reference for important decisions.
- 3 corroborating sources
- 1 ROA with full dose ladder
- duration data present
- PubChem toxicity data
Encyclopedic
Typical encyclopedia coverage. Cross-reference for important decisions.
- 3 corroborating sources
- 1 ROA with full dose ladder
- duration data present
- PubChem toxicity data
Aliases: Awa, Ava, Waka, Wati, Sakau
Summary
Kava is associated with potential liver toxicity, especially with extracts, heavy prolonged use, or contaminated products. Use only noble kava root from reputable sources; avoid tudei kava and aerial plant parts. Many users experience reverse tolerance initially, requiring several days to weeks of regular use before full effects manifest.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 50-70mg | 70-150mg | 150-200mg | 300mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 20-30 min | 30-60 min | 1-3 hrs | 1-2 hrs | 3-6 hrs |
Tolerance
Build-up
possible reverse tolerance — effects may increase with regular use
Reset
not applicable
Effects
Aggregated from 188 Erowid and 6 Bluelight experience reports
Positive Effects 25
Contentment
66.7%
84%
Euphoria
34.0%
75%
Sociability Enhancement
33.3%
88%
Peace
33.3%
88%
Happiness
33.3%
88%
Anxiety Suppression
32.4%
92%
Sedation
25.3%
88%
Stimulation
21.8%
70%
Focus Enhancement
19.6%
85%
Music Enhancement
19.0%
80%
Tactile Enhancement
18.6%
70%
Thought Deceleration
16.7%
90%
Muscle Relaxation
16.7%
95%
Clarity
16.7%
90%
Memory Enhancement
16.7%
80%
Drowsiness
16.7%
85%
Motor Enhancement
16.7%
75%
Vivid Dreams
16.7%
85%
Lightness
16.7%
80%
Color Enhancement
15.4%
70%
Adverse Effects 7
Nausea
17.6%
70%
Depression
16.7%
80%
Ataxia
16.7%
80%
Headache
10.6%
70%
Motor Impairment
5.3%
70%
Memory Suppression
4.3%
70%
Increased Heart Rate
2.1%
70%
Community Trip Reports
Anecdotal first-person accounts from Reddit, Erowid, and Bluelight. Click a source to expand. Reports are harm-reduction context, not medical guidance.
Erowid 8 reports 2 positive 4 neutral 2 cautionary visit
I have enjoyed kava for a while now and living in New Zealand it is quite easy to get hold of. I have even brought it from a local super market. Today I mixed 3 large teaspoons of kava powder with water and then added some lime juice to take away some of the earthy taste (which is not nice) I downed the glass in one on...
Let me preface this by saying I am not an inexperienced drug user by any means, and I also have a mild case of Tourette's Syndrome. I have had experiences with Marijuana, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, MDMA, LSD, Cocaine, Alcohol, DXM, Nitrous Oxide, and a small amount of opioid experiences (Vicodin) and probably a few others...
As a Westerner, I have been lucky enough to be part of a community of Kava drinkers. I regularly go to a "nakamal" (or as close to a nakamal as one would hope to find in North America), where I drink kava in a communal setting with friends I have met there. First, a brief diversion to describe my usage and dose.
After researching various substances and searching for an adequate, safer alternative to opiates, I heard many positive experiences coming from Kava Kava. It also interested me that it's herbal, and healthier than taking synthesized drugs.
Having recently given up (mostly successfully) alcohol consumption, I was alarmed to find myself heading for the store to buy the bottle of wine that can usually put me in a protected place for an hour or two before I do something stupid or fall asleep.
Kava Has Caused Me Anxiety I was seeking some constellation for my experience with kava, but struggled to find any negative reports on the substance. To give a little bit of background information, I've not had much experience with drugs other than marijuana, MDMA and pills on one occasion.
I'm a fairly anxious person and had heard about Kava's properties as a natural calmative. I don't take any prescription drugs for anxiety, but I'm always in search of natural remedies (I already use exercise, meditation, and other natural means of anxiety management).
Bluelight 5 threads 4 neutral 1 cautionary visit
Alright this won't stack up against those taking 20 hits of acid or 3 grams of DXM but here's my trip report anyway. I am currently Kavified. And had two glasses of wine since. But I'll start at the beginning. So as of now and for the next 10 months or whatever, my lovely state won't allow me to use any illegal drugs.
I didn't fill in the title of my thread exactly right: (Kava/ 6 Tablespoons)- absolute first time user- I now know why Hawaiians are so laid back ordered some kava and got it in. Went and got my blender and opened the package of Kava. From Here on its a play by play of sorts.
The last 7 days I have been in Hawaii. While there my wife and I decided to hit up a authentic Hawaiian kava bar. The shop was recently opend and is located in the international market. <snip> .My wife and I entered the Kava bar.
So I'm sitting here after my fist Kava slurps. Gotta say as far as herbals go... Pretty chuffed! I'm heavy lidded, at peace and now and then get butterflies. Because of my past alcohol and mephedrone abuse my drug tolerance is pretty high so I've gulped down maybe 5 strong cupfulls and I'm not dissapointed.
Kava Kava.... After hearing about the potential of this little herb I wandered into walgreens and picked up 50 pills of Kava. Hmmm the packaging said "Kava may impair motor ability, do not drive, etc.". Wow for a legal root this sounded like it could be fun.
Kava's nerd page
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