In today’s fast-paced climate, you’d be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn’t felt the damaging effects of occasional stress and anxiety. Navigating the pressures of everyday life can require an inventive approach, leading many people to seek alternative methods of finding ways to decompress.

Kava relaxation is just one route to finding peace amid the chaos. Originating as a traditional tea from the South Pacific islands, modern folks are now turning to the kava plant for its potential to aid in both immediate and long-term relaxation.[1]

But how does kava support relaxation, and how can you use it to supplement your daily routine? Is it effective for stress relief? Is kava a hallucinogen? If you’re curious about this plant and are keen to give it a try, satisfy your curiosity about kava here.

What Is Kava?

As kava consumption has gained popularity, it’s developed many aliases. The Latin name for kava is Piper methysticum, which translates to “intoxicating pepper.” Other traditional names include [1]:

• Kawa
• Kew
• Sakau
• Tonga
• Yagona

Whatever you call it, kava is a shrub that originated in the South Pacific. Cultures from Fiji, Tonga, and Pohnpei have been using kava root for eons for ceremonial reasons and to induce calm and relaxation without clouding the mind.[1]

Kava’s relaxing properties stem from psychoactive compounds known as kavalactones, which are present at the root of the shrub.[1] Traditionally, drinking kava involved pulverizing and gradually mixing it into water to create greyish-looking tea, and shared communally to nurture social bonding. Today, kava can be found in many forms, including:

• Teas
• Tinctures
• Tablets
• Capsules

Kava and Relaxation: What’s the Connection?

Scientists now know that kava’s calming properties are built into its chemical makeup: kavalactones interact directly with the human brain’s neurotransmitters, which, with proper use, may produce the effect of relaxation.

In Western countries, kava is now known as an anxiolytic—meaning, it may help counteract occasional anxiety and panic in some people.[1] That said, various factors can influence how kava acts on the body, including:[1]

• The part of the plant used
• Type of solvents used for extraction (if applicable)
• Vehicle type
• Dosage
• Manufacturing methods
• The health of the person using it

With this in mind, it’s important to seek out high-quality kava supplement products if you’re interested in using kava for relaxation. In most cases, kava can be taken with other supplements. But if you have a question such as, “Can you take kava and ashwagandha together,” it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider or other online resources.

Short-Term Benefits of Kava

When used correctly, kava has been known to produce pleasant and immediate effects in the person taking it. These benefits include:

• A sense of calm – Like its original users, kava can help induce a calming effect and a sense of well-being and tranquility. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or under pressure, taking kava might be a helpful antidote to help achieve a feeling of zen.

• A sense of well-being – A feeling of positivity and uplift is one of the main reasons why human cultures have enjoyed kava for hundreds of years.

• Restfulness – If you struggle with sleep, kava may be a helpful ally in getting more restful sleep. Some studies have shown kava to be more helpful than placebos for people who struggle with poor sleep.[2]

Long-Term Benefits of Kava

Using kava over a longer period is likewise linked to several benefits. By making it a staple in your wellness routine, you may look forward to:

• Reduced occasional anxiety – Both anecdotally and in clinical studies, kava is known to be an aid when it comes to helping people lower mild to moderate occasional anxiety over time.[3] Read our guide about L-theanine vs. kava to find out which is better to support with occasional anxiety.

• Better stress tolerance – Using kava regularly may help improve your tolerance for stressful situations. In the long term, this could amount to greater mental well-being and confidence in your ability to handle adversity or high-pressure circumstances.

• Improved social bonding – Kava’s original ceremonial uses reflect one of this plant’s greatest assets: improving human connections.[3] Unlike many other substances that can cloud a person’s judgment, kava may assist with promoting bonding without the cognitive impairment other substances can cause.

Are There Any Dangers to Using Kava?

In general, kava tends to be a well-tolerated, natural option for promoting relaxation and well-being. That said, any substance you ingest can come with some potential risk, and it's important to exercise caution if you’ve never used it before.

Liver damage, or hepatotoxicity, is considered the biggest risk of using kava.[1] It’s thought that this is most commonly caused by:[1]

• Low-quality extraction and production methods
• Use with other drugs that can be hard on the liver (e.g. alcohol)
• Consuming extremely high amounts of kava

With this in mind, it’s crucial for those interested in using kava for relaxation to:

• Seek out established brands with rigorous manufacturing protocols
• Avoid mixing kava with drugs, medications, or alcohol
• Only take kava using its intended or recommended dose

Moreover, if you have a diagnosed liver condition, it’s crucial to speak to your healthcare provider before trying kava. 

Some other potential side effects of kava include:[1]

• Kavaism – Also called kava dermopathy, this is a type of skin rash and discoloration. It tends to start around the skull and can later appear on other areas of the body, and it usually only occurs in people who use kava frequently.

• GI discomfort – This can include indigestion and nausea. Some people also report headaches after consuming kava. 

4 Ways to Use Kava to Unwind

Used with care and caution, kava can be an exceptional alternative way to combat the daily stressors of modern life. Here are just some of the ways you can integrate it into your self-care routine.

#1 Go the Traditional Tea Route

If you’re brand new to kava, trying it as a tea can be an excellent entry point to see how it impacts you. Kava drinkers can purchase powders and blends in many places to make their own tea at home.

That said, some people say the taste of kava drinks can be hard to take on its own. More importantly, it’s essential to recognize that with kava’s rising popularity, many companies are rushing to fill demand—often abandoning high-standard production practices along the way. 

#2 Use a Tincture to Top Off Your Favorite Beverage

If you want to try kava in liquid form without the risks, a tincture may be an ideal option. The feel free CLASSIC tonic from Botanic Tonics can be taken alone or added to your preferred non-alcoholic beverage of choice. This kava kratom tonic promotes mood boosting effects around 15 to 20 minutes after taking it, lasting up to 4 hours after consumption.

However, it’s important to note that this tonic will give you more than just a mood boost. It will also help to provide improved focus and energy.

#3 Host a Relaxation Ritual for Friends

On occasions when you’ve got time and mental space to spare, invite your friends and loved ones to a kava-supported relaxation ritual:

• Set the mood – Turn down the lights, fire up a few candles, and put on some calming music, nature sounds, or singing bowls to create a soothing environment.

• Tap into your sense of touch – Whether you sit on floor pillows or swaddle yourselves in blankets on the couch, enhance your sense of relaxation by tapping into your tactile sense.

• Make your kava of choice – Whether you treat everyone to a capsule or brew your own kava tea, invite everyone to partake in this plant’s soothing properties.

• Choose some bonding activities – Kava has been used over the ages to deepen social bonds, so consider offering social activities that can reinforce yours. Whether you invite everyone to do trust falls, jot down and answer deep questions, or put on a nostalgic movie to enjoy together, you’re sure to make memories and tighten ties along the way.

#4 Add a Capsule to Your Daily Grind

When you’re on the go, it’s not always a cinch to sit down for a kava ceremony—or even a mug of your favorite chai. In those high-stress, short-on-time moments, kava in capsule form can help build more space into your day by putting your mind at ease.

The feel free capsules from Botanic Tonics are a portable option blended with other uplifting herbal supports. Not only will you get an extra caffeine boost, but it’s also a tasteless, non-numbing route that won’t make you queasy if you’re prone to nausea.

For a caffeine-free alternative that will still support your ability to focus and get things done, check out our kava capsules.

Tune In and Wind Down with Botanic Tonics

Relaxation has been at the root of kava (literally) since the plant’s inception, and we’ve kept quality at the root of our mission from the start. Botanic Tonics’ feel free products offer unmatched kava quality standards for those looking for new ways to unwind.

From capsules to tinctures, we craft products designed to help individuals enhance themselves. We use full-leaf kava powder to ensure the most authentic, positive, and safe kava experience possible.

Shop the full feel free product line today.

Sources: 

1. National Library of Medicine. An Updated Review on the Psychoactive, Toxic and Anticancer Properties of Kava. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9315573/
2. Healthline. Kava Kava: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kava-kava#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4
3. National Library of Medicine. Kava as a Clinical Nutrient: Promises and Challenges. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600512/