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The Effects of Drinking Kava

Kava is the dried root of Piper methysticum, a member of the pepper family. To experience its pschoactive effects, kava can be chewed or ground into a powder and combined with water to produce a brown, bitter tea. In the 18th century, members of Captain Cook's party first noted South Pacific Islanders using kava during ceremonies, celebrations and social gatherings. Today kava remains culturally significant to South Pacific Islanders and is consumed by people around the world for its calming effects.

  1. Effects

    • The effects of drinking small doses of kava include sleepiness, euphoria, muscle relaxation and numbness in the mouth and throat. In larger doses, drinking kava causes loss of muscle control, stupor and bloodshot eyes. According to the Austrailian Northern Territory Government Department of Health and Families, roughly half of a coconut shell full of kava may put the user into a deep sleep within half an hour, yet he will awaken the next day completely recovered.

    Benefits

    • According to then Kava website, drinking kava does not contribute to aggression nor does it leave the user with a nasty hangover the next day. In fact, drinking kava may actually help reduce alcohol consumption while providing many of the social benefits of alcohol. Drinking kava may be beneficial in treating physical ailments--like headaches, indigestion and cramps--and may even help some people lose weight.

    Drawbacks

    • The United States National Institutes of Health advises that consumption of kava may be correlated with liver damage, including hepatitis and cirrhosis, pulmonary hypertension and neurotoxicity. Kava drinking also causes scaly skin, lesions, apathy, nervous trembling and shortness of breath, warns the Australian Northern Territory Government Department of Health and Families.

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