Hi all,
So far I've really been enjoying Kava. I just want to know what side effects should I worry about? If there are even any side effects?
The liver thing seems to be mostly unsubstantiated, no?
How much is too much Kava? Today I had three tbsps of Borugo, then three tbsp of Pouni Ono. Is that too much?
Can you OD from Kava? Get a heart attack? I know these are silly questions, but I just want to make sure Kava is relatively safe to recreationally consume.
Thanks!
Typically "too much kava" is defined as either an amount that causes problems for you or regularly drinking more than 12 TBS of medium grind worth per day
Now, you say you had 6 TBS but don't mention if it is medium grind, instant or micro. So my answer is no, probably not and probably yes, respectively. For myself, I drink 8 TBS worth of medium grind most every day on average.
Yes, you can OD on kava. It is very unpleasant but the effects pass. Common symptoms include vision disturbances, dizziness, problems with balance, headache, nausea or cramps, anxiety, pounding heart. Best just to lie down on a comfy bed or couch with a barf receptacle nearby just in case, dimly lit, quiet, and sleep if you can or otherwise just relax. Drink water, maybe eat some small sweet or salty snack. A bad OD could make you feel bad for a few days but most typical ones wear off by the next day. One simply moves on after, a little wiser and duly chastened. For most people a negative experience like that inspires kava drinkers to stay within their limits. The worst thing to do in an OD situation is panic or freak out. You're going to be fine. It just takes time to pass. I am speaking here of just od with kava alone. ODing on both alcohol and kava at the same time, that's a different kettle of fish and much worse but even there, still not so bad, and you would handle it the same way and above all avoid unnecessary worry or freaking out about it. Relax, wait, drink water, that's about all you can do, really, but it works. Just takes time.
Kava is unlikely to provoke a heart attack. There are no problems noted in the medical literature, nor the istorical and anthropological literature. Of course, anyone prone to a heart attack can have a heart attack at any time, including while drinking kava. One could certainly have a coincidental heart attack, but very unlikely to be caused by the kava.
Keep asking all the silly questions you can think of. That's what everyone else does and what this place is for.