I think
@SelfBiasResistor is my closest analogue on the Kava Forums, his opinions and experience about the kavas we drink almost always mirrors mine. I know some of it is our genetics and/or circumstantial experience, but
at least 1/3rd of the problem is flat out weak kava
(which is now expensive). I know there are many kava drinkers here who just naturally feel strong effects from smaller doses, or some drinkers who have never 'fully' felt what kava is capable of, and therefor don't have a fair reference point to compare their experience to
(I used to be one). But, I think I can safely say, as someone who has traversed many different stages of kava consumption, dosage, frequency and expectation -- beginning in 2003 -- that the current era of retail kava is generally the weakest potency, compared to it's price.
I think it's important to note that most of it actually is proper good quality kava, and has nothing wrong with it, other than that it's kavalactone content/potency/effectiveness is diminished, while it's price has been going up and up and up. It's been especially noticeable since my trip to Vanuatu, which also happened to coincide with when Cyclone Pam hit, so I don't know if it has to do with experiencing how good
fresh nakamal kava is, or the cyclone causing the international market to mostly receive the second-rate roots...or both...but
almost ALL kava I've had since then fails to compare and RARELY even gets sufficiently close. That's 2 years of spending (probably)thousands of dollars on kava and
almost NEVER experiencing a full kava buzz from the vast majority of it...even when I begin experimenting with the 10-12 Tbsp. range for one sitting.
When I was in Vanuatu, 8 out 10 experiences were full blown perfection(or near it), as good as you could ever expect from kava, and a couple of those even surpassed any of my known expectations (almost to the point of blissful incapacitation). The two lesser nights were on par with good but middle-of-the-road experiences that I'd have at home, not outstanding but acceptable. Even though the "batting average" wasn't quite that high for me with dry kava, at home, before Vanuatu, it was certainly much closer and occasionally on par with my nakamal experiences more frequently and for less money.
I don't mind paying 5-10 dollars per day on kava, if I choose, so long as it effects me the way that it should for that price. But for the last couple years, I rarely have an experience worth that money, yet I'm paying more than ever for the stuff. I can count on one hand the number of good memorable sessions I've had over the last couple years, the majority is just expensive semi-disappointment, that's just good enough to give me hope for the next bag. I can't remember the last time dry kava has made my ears ring, or my mouth numb or make me feel happily and calmly inebriated...or even a bit tipsy. Doe$n't happen.