Kava

Kava is a psychoactive beverage and herbal product derived from the rootstock of Piper methysticum, a tropical shrub native to the western Pacific. It has been consumed in Pacific Island communities for over 3,000 years in social, ceremonial, and religious contexts. Its active constituents, known as kavalactones, produce anxiolytic, sedative, and mildly euphoric effects often compared to alcohol without significant cognitive impairment. The beverage characteristically causes a temporary numbing sensation in the mouth.

Also known as: Awa, Ava, Waka, Wati, Sakau, Kava Kava

Classification

Psychoactive: Depressant
Tag: Anxiolytic
Tag: GABAergic
Tag: Habit-Forming
Tag: Muscle Relaxant
Tag: Sedative

Effects

Muscle Relaxation
Sedation
Stimulation
Motor Impairment
Euphoria
Anxiety Suppression
Focus Enhancement
Sociability Enhancement
Reduced Anxiety
Tactile Suppression
Visual Acuity Enhancement
Dulled Perception
Disinhibition

Routes of Administration

Oral

Dosage

Heavy: 200 mg
Light: 50 – 70 mg
Common: 70 – 150 mg
Strong: 150 – 200 mg
Threshold: 50 mg

Duration

Onset: 0.33-0.5 h
Peak: 3 h
After Effects: 9-18 h

Harm Reduction

Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.

Sources

Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.

Links

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