General Kava FAQ

What is kava?
The term refers both to a plant (Piper Methysticum) growing on various islands of the South Pacific and the relaxing beverage made from dried or fresh roots of the plant. The ancestor of modern kava was domesticated and adopted from wild kava (Piper Wichmanii) by the inhabitants of Oceania approximately 3000 years ago. Unlike Piper Wichmanii, Piper Methysticum (i.e. modern kava) is a sterile plant that can only be reproduced by propagation from stem cuttings. During the last three millennia, farmers have been consciously and skillfully selecting mutations with the most desirable properties related to their chemical composition. The active compounds responsible for kava's psychoactive and medicinal effects are known as kavalactones. There are 29 distinct kavalactones with 6 of them being responsible for 96% of kava's effects. Different cultivars of kava have different compositions of kavalactones and therefore produce different effects.

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The kava beverage has been consumed for centuries for several medicinal, social, cultural, political, recreational and ritual purposes throughout Melanesia and Polynesia. These days kava is becoming increasingly popular among non-islanders who see it as a healthier alternative to alcohol or other recreational substances; a good remedy for anxiety, stress and insomnia; or an interesting cultural practice which allows them to get closer to the fascinating cultures of the South Pacific.

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Initial tolerance is defined by the kava community as the "break in" period where the new kava consumer may not feel any effects at all from kava. It is theorized that for some people a certain level of kavalactone buildup in the body must be present before one begins to feel the full effects from kava. The range of time it may take to overcome the initial tolerance ranges per individual, from weeks to up to a month and a half. Some individuals feel the effects immediately.

Reverse tolerance applies to the principal that the more often you drink kava, the less kava you need to achieve your desired level of therapeutic effects. Kavalactones build up in the body, and the more frequently you replenish them, the more effect you will receive off of your given amount. It should be kept in mind that this phenomena is different from the classical understanding of "reverse tolerance" in late stage alcoholism. This phase applies to kava to a point where kavas' effects are markedly strengthened.

We theorize that this is due to a number of different effects that do not emerge until after continual consumption. MAO-B effects, cannabinoid receptor agonism, and cholinergic transmission modulation among other effects that develop over time while drinking kava.

There are many places to purchase from. Vendors who are active on the forums you can see in the Kava Suppliers & Review Section. You may also check and see if there is a 'nakamal' or 'kava bar' in your local area.

Also check out our regularly updated kava price and availability spreadsheet here.

*For reviews of kava products, look in each vendor's sub-forum*

It depends, and these rules apply to the United States. Other kava markets may not see this.

These products as a rule of thumb do not contain enough kava to achieve a worthwhile effect and are generally quite expensive compared to ordering from nakamals. If you'd like to purchase kava locally, check to see if there is a nakamal or kava bar in your area, or double check on the forums to see if your local product is worth purchasing.

In regards to extracts and pills:

Extractions, pills or capsules are likely to be as safe as traditional kava, provided they are made from noble kava roots only. We recommend sticking to traditional, noble kava (in the form of fresh or dried roots and instant powders obtained by dehydrating freshly prepared traditional beverage) which has a very long history of safe and effective use. We suggest looking for a lab test included with any extract purchase. If none is provided, ask the vendor directly, and if none is provided then we suggest avoiding said product. If the vendor does not provide a chemotype, then disregard this product.

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A guide to kava prep for hard heads.


Here I’m going to attempt to address those that just can’t seem to get medium grind kava to work for them.
Here’s a list of tips to get you on the right path.

1. Ensure you have quality kava.
   1. Check your kava on google by putting the name of the kava in the search box followed by “reviews”. This should give you a rough estimate if you're drinking kava that is active.
   2. You can also double check the kava to our list here for chemotypes which gives a better, but still rough estimate of the kavas effectiveness.
   3. Kavas with the number 4 closer to the beginning of the chemotype will be more heady, whereas kavas with 2 closer to the beginning will be more sedative as a general, but not solid rule.
2. Ensure you are using enough kava powder.
   1. The standard kava dose is between 25g and 40g with some users approaching 100g per session on the high end. A good sweet spot to start with is 30g or 4-5 tablespoons.
3. Be aware of your prep method pros and cons.
   1. Traditional prep with a strainer bag and bowl.
      1. Pros:
         1. More thorough extraction
         2. Better control of starting amounts.
         3. Wider range of temperatures to use.
         4. Easy to find the prep materials for.
         5. Can adjust for temperature easily.
         6. Most traditional method of preparation for kava, and has been used for thousands of years.
      2. Cons:
         1. Requires more prep and cleaning than the aluball.
         2. Requires more dexterity and physical strength which can be an issue for some.
         3. Strainer bag porosity (size of the holes in the bag) is very important. Using a t-shirt or cloth seems to prevent a large portion of the good stuff from reaching your beverage, so a dedicated kava strainer is important to have. Kavafied sells dedicated strainers as well as most places that sell kava.
         4. Takes about double the time to prepare than the aluball.
   2. Aluball
      1. Pros:
         1. Very simple and convenient to use.
         2. Clean up is very easy.
         3. Can be used on the go.
         4. Doesn’t require excess physical strength other than shaking.
         5. Quick prep. Usually it only takes around 5 minutes or so to pour out a batch of kava.
      2. Cons:
         1. One aluball usually doesn’t cut it, as you’re limited by physics to 2 tablespoons per ball. Multiple aluballs have been used to circumvent this issue.
         2. The usage of hot water may deform the plastic and cause the aluball shaker to leak.
         3. Mesh screen on the balls can detach over time.
   3. Mixer
      1. Pros:
         1. No kneading phase is necessary.
         2. Seems to be as effective as kneading
         3. Very quick. Requires 2 minutes and 30 seconds for a batch.
         4. Can adjust temperatures and amounts without worry.
      2. Cons:
         1. Is battery powered, but could also be a pro, depending on who you ask.
         2. You still have to use a strainer bag for the final stage.
         3. Still requires a final squeeze similar to traditional prep.
         4. More complicated prep and cleaning phase.
   4. Blender
      1. Pros:
         1. Super efficient kavalactone extraction.
         2. Taste seems to suffer less than with hot water extractions.
      2. Cons:
         1. Micronization of the kava due to the chopping action of the blender may cause you to intake far greater amounts of unstrained root material. This can cause side effects at a faster rate than properly strained material.
         2. You still have to use a strainer bag to separate the root material from the water.
         3. Clean up is far more involved.
         4. Kava will likely ruin the blender, so be ready to dedicate the blender to kava prep only.
4. Know that water temperature can make a huge difference.
   1. Cold water (room temp) Prep
      1. More heady, less bitter. Taste will be about as good as it can be, and much of the sedation will be absent.
      2. This is traditionally the way kava has been made in the South Pacific.
      3. Not as strong as using higher temperature water.
   2. Warm water prep (warm to the touch)
      1. Higher extraction of kavalactones
      2. Bitterness is markedly increased.
      3. Poor general overall flavor profile.
      4. Much stronger at the expense of taste.
   3. Hot water prep (hot to the touch)
      1. Much higher extraction of kavalactones
      2. Taste is degraded very much.
      3. Can approach the gelatinization phase of starch, so be careful keeping your kava and water mixture under 120°F for this reason.
   4. Boiling water prep
      1. The highest extraction of kavalactones
      2. The worst taste
      3. Surpasses the gelatinization temperature of starch.
      4. Viscosity increased substantially
      5. You end up with really thick, really strong kava.
      6. You might need a spoon to eat it.
5. Time since your last meal.
   1. A general rule of thumb is to give your digestive system 4 hours between your last meal and your kava session.
      1. A full stomach prevents the quick actions of kava by slowing its travel into the small intestine.
      2. A small meal during your session or directly after has the ability to quell stomach uneasiness, and also increase the absorption of kavalactones. We’re not sure how this process works, but eating foods with a good bit of fat seems to considerably increase kavas effects.
6. Physical Stress Level.
   1. This one doesn’t seem to be reported as much, but what we’ve seen over the years is that once kava is imbibed, moving around and doing strenuous activities becomes something of a “buzz kill”.
   2. This ties into what kava drinkers know as “listening to the kava”. What this means is letting your mind go blank, sitting still, and paying very close attention to the feeling kava is providing.
7. Other drugs.
   1. Kava is a subtle but powerful experience. Other psychoactive chemicals can mask or possibly increase kava’s effects.
8. Polymorphism (Theory)
   1. People’s genetic code varies, and the expression of certain enzymes varies due to those codes. It’s thought, possibly, that the enzyme activity of CYP2D6 can have a definite impact on the effectiveness of kava. Kava uses this pathway to metabolize in the human body, and poor metabolizers and ultra-fast metabolizers may see varied levels of effectiveness.
9. Non-responder?
   1. Is it possible that you’re just a non-responder to kava? While it’s possible, it’s extremely rare to find a person completely unable to feel the effects of kava. It’s more likely that one or more variables in the preparation phase are the issue.

Short answer: Usually no.

Long answer: Kava is not a solution; the kavalactone resin on the roots must be agitated in order to emulsify it into the water. Soaking will not significantly increase the potency of your kava unless your kava is a type with a larger grind. Soaking helps to soften the fibers of the kava root in products of medium grind consistency.

Instant kava and micronized do not need to be strained. While kava root powder can be consumed whole ("toss-and-wash"), it may result in intestinal discomfort, and there is the additional issue of consuming possibly sickening compounds not present in strained kava. If you choose to strain your kava, it is important to AGITATE the kava and not just let it soak. This is because kavalactones are not water soluble; they must be mixed in with the water forcefully. For more details on how to accomplish this, see Kava Preparation.

Strainer bags are commonly used for this process. A few examples below:

Current recommendations are to make your kava beverage (whether fresh or dry) using tap, cool water not hot. Kava 's effects are far more than kavalactones, there is an entourage of complex active components. * CODEX ALIMENTARIUS Commission 2017 Standard for Kava Products for Use as a Beverage and Journal of the American Medical Association 11/17/2010 Vol. 304.
-Alia

Alternate suggestion:
Now, if you don't mind a more bitter, stronger and arguably less traditional kava, then try your prep with warm (~100°F) water. It can make a world of difference to kava drinkers that are finding it difficult to experience the full spectrum of effects from kava root.

The more empty your stomach is, the more mileage you will get out of your kava. If you have a sensitive digestion, you may find it helpful to eat a small, non-offensive meal an hour or two before consumption.

Some people have also found that having a light meal between 30-60 min after drinking kava can have a positive effect on the experience.

For information on how long to wait between eating and consumption see the following thread: