Every daily routine needs its pleasures, from a steamy lavender latte to a cathartic yoga class. However, some daily pleasures may be better as occasional treats. If you enjoy kava, you may be left wondering: can you drink kava everyday?
Over the past decade, kava extract has become a popular calming and focus-enhancing substance in modern culture. However, like any natural supplement, kava comes with its limitations and guidelines. If you wish to take this substance daily, it’s important to do so with care.
To help you feel your healthiest, let’s explore the ins and outs of drinking kava regularly.
What is Kava Used For?
Kava, or Piper methysticum, is a plant native to the islands of the South Pacific.[1] For generations, kava has been used in traditional ceremonies, social gatherings, and medicinal practices, particularly as a mood and focus enhancer.
So, what creates the magic of kava? It all comes down to kavalactones, the molecules that interact with the brain's receptors to promote kava’s effect.[2] When consumed, users may feel the following benefits:
- Boosted relaxation
- Reduced anxiety
- Better sleep
- Enhanced social bonding
- Improved focus
Today, kava is gaining popularity worldwide as a natural alternative to combat stress, promote better sleep, and ease tension after a long day. In short, it’s no wonder that some people may want to use this plant daily.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Kava?
Yes, you can overdose on kava. However, it’s rare and almost always non-fatal.
Like many substances, kava requires balance. Too little, and you may feel nothing. Just enough, and you feel its soothing and pleasurable effects. Too much? You may start to feel some uncomfortable side effects. Here are some typical signs of consuming excess kavalactones in kava:[3]
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Low muscle control
- Mild fever
- Red eyes
If you do experience a negative symptom from kava consumption, know that once the kavalactones exit your body, those negative side effects will likely pass. Even better, there are no reported clinical cases of overdose from short-term kava use.[4] That said, to avoid negative reactions in the first place, try to start slow and give your body time to process the kavalactones before upping your dose or frequency.
Is It Safe to Drink Kava Everyday?
So is kava safe to consume daily? Rest assured, the kava supplement is not a “toxin” that builds up in your body. In fact, studies show that kava is safe for daily consumption when taken in recommended doses.[5] However, that doesn’t mean irresponsible kava consumption won’t lead to consequences in the long term.
Kavalactones are mainly processed through the liver.[6] As a result, many of kava’s potential long-term negative side effects are related to liver damage. If misused for months on end, frequent use of kava could lead to the following health issues:[7,8]
- Liver disease or toxicity
- “Kava dermopathy” (scaly, dry, and yellow skin)
- High blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Partial loss of hearing
- Visual changes
- Low immune function
- Kidney damage
However, these long-term effects only apply to excessive or heavy kava use (more than the recommended daily amount). In fact, there are hardly more than 100 reported cases of kava-related liver damage.[9]
How Much Kava Should You Take?
Every substance, from alcohol to zinc, can reach an upper limit in your body. With kava, the key to maximizing benefits and minimizing side effects is finding the right dose—especially if you plan to consume kava tonics regularly.
The right kava dosage for your body can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Body weight
- Height
- Individual sensitivity
- History of use
- Health conditions
- Medications
So, what’s a healthy place to start? For most people, experts recommend keeping your daily kavalactone consumption below 250 mg.[10] Always check the package of your kava product to know the exact milligrams of kavalactones per serving. If listed as a percentage, you’ll need to calculate the percentage of your dose that would be kavalactones (e.g., 100 mg of kava at 30% kavalactones equals 30 mg of kavalactones).
See related: How Long Does Kava Take to Kick In?
Tips for Taking Kava Daily
Kava is a personal experience. Some people may need 250 mg to feel the calming effects, while others may just need 50 mg. To find your daily balance with kava, try these tips:[11,12]
- Buy from a transparent supplier with strict regulatory policies
- Start with a small dose below 250 mg
- Avoid mixing kava with other substances or drugs
- Consider your health history or any medical conditions
- Consult a healthcare professional about your usage
Supplement Your Health With Botanic Tonics
Like any substance, kava is best taken with care. However, this natural supplement is shown to be safe and soothing in regulated doses, even with regular use. The best way to cultivate a safe daily kava habit? Measure your dose, monitor your experience, and choose a reputable kava supplier like Botanic Tonics.
From our feel free kava drink to our kava capsules, all products from Botanic Tonics are tested for quality. We aim to provide only the most high-quality kava product, sourced directly from the Pacific Islands and formulated into a tasty pleasure. Find your enhanced focus and calm by exploring our kava products today.
Sources:
- Mount Sinai. Kava kava Information. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/kava-kava
- NIH. Neuroprotective properties of kavalactones. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4498339/
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Kava. https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/kava/
- NIH. Toxicity of Kava Kava. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5868963/
- NIH. Health policy versus kava (Piper methysticum): Anxiolytic efficacy may be instrumental in restoring the reputation of a major South Pacific crop. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33189846/
- ScienceDirect. Kava - an overview. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/kava
- Addiction Resources. Kava Effects: What Are Its Adverse Reactions? https://addictionresource.com/drugs/kava/side-effects/
- DermNet. Kava dermopathy. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/kava-dermopathy
- NIH. Kava Kava - LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548637/
- NIH. Kava hepatotoxicity solution: A six-point plan for new kava standardization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112196
- Mount Sinai. Kava kava Information. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/kava-kava
- Mount Sinai. Kava kava Information. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/kava-kava
About The Author
Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.
