Kava 101

 

 

Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a tropical plant species from the islands of the Pacific Ocean 

 

Traditionally, kava was used for its calming and euphoric effects during ceremonies, family gatherings, funerals, and celebrations.

 

Today, kava is additionally used as a supplement to support restful sleep,  reduce anxiety, alleviate depression, and lessen muscle tension.

 

Kava is also a popular alternative option to alcohol. It provides a similar carefree state of mind, but without intoxication. The mind remains perfectly clear while drinking kava.

 

As it turns out… the combination of calming and mild euphoric effects makes kava perfect for sparking conversation.

 

 

Lo-Fi sources kava directly from farmers in Fiji, Vanuatu & Tonga.

 

Kava has been used traditionally to make social and ceremonial occasions more enjoyable. It is a relaxing, uplifting drink that will get rid of any stress or tension you might be carrying in your body and mind. Kava encourages a positive mood.

 

Kava benefits include being able to help you relax and ease apprehension that may be holding you back from living your best quality of life. Kava helps because it calms the mind, soothes the stomach, and helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Kava doesn’t cause a high, but it induces a euphoria.

 

Kava supplements are often taken for long-term treatment for stress and to help you sleep better at night.

 

Kava is known to help support the body’s response to stress and anxiety. Using kava can help with an array of health issues.

 

 

Kava kava is renowned for enhancing relaxation and promoting well-being without causing intoxication. Kavalactones are the active ingredients in kava, which contribute to its medicinal activity. Kavalactones act on the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions and sensations of pleasure. While there are many kavalactones; kavain, dihydrokavain and methysticin are the most important to the mood-elevating and relaxing effects of kava.

 

Kavalactones can either be water-soluble or fat-soluble. In general, water-soluble kavalactones have milder effects than the fat-soluble counterparts. The effects of Kavalactones include euphoria, relaxation, mental clarity, reduced anxiety and social enhancement.

 

The effects last between one to two hours after ingestion. After ingesting kavalactones, most users experience a relaxed feeling with mental alertness, which is why it’s often referred to as a “cleansing” drink. It calms your mind without clouding it.

 

The anxiety reduction effects of kava have been demonstrated clinically in more than a dozen placebo-controlled studies with both healthy volunteers and patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Kava extract is as effective as standard anxiety reducing medications, such as buspirone or opipramol, in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

 

Additionally, kava has shown muscle relaxant and mild sedative effects. These findings are consistent with clinical evidence that kava relieves muscle tension and induces a state of “mental clarity” or “alert calmness.” 

 

 

National Laboratory of Medicine Publications:  Kavalactone content and chemotype of kava beverages prepared from roots and rhizomes of Isa and Mahakea varieties and extraction efficiency of kavalactones using different solvents