Quitting Years of Cannabis for Kava... But I Need Some Guidance

[Connor Dreichler]

As the title states, I have been a cannabis user for about 5 years- every single day sometimes multiple times per day. I am furthering my career into cardiovascular perfusion and need to stop using cannabis.


I’ve done some brief research on alternatives to cannabis and out of them all, I landed with Kava based on experiences written on r/Kava and other sites.


Based on my research, I am not a big fan of the preparation method of traditional Kava- having to knead endlessly in hot water— and just not a big fan of the idea that what I am going to be drinking is not tasteful.


I read up on tinctures and pastes which are right up my alley. I’ve used tinctures for many products and just really enjoy the simplicity and ease of use. I’m not 100% sure how pastes work or the best preparation for them but it is interesting.


Now, I am here because I need some guidance in regard to where I should purchase a high quality- potent— tincture or paste. I say potent because basically anything I consume that alters how I feel I need more of than the average person and I am assuming Kava will be the same way.


There’s a ton of different products with different claims of concentration and potently but I want to hear from actual people their experiences with tinctures and pastes and a high quality/potency source for them. I am looking for a product that can also aid in GOING to sleep (not so much STAYING asleep).

Thanks!

 

[ThePiper]

There isn't much out there these days in terms of high quality extracts that are made from Noble kava. Bula kava house has a paste that is allegedly good but if you use that as your main source of kava intake you may need to mortgage your house or sell a kidney to keep up a kava routine, especially if you need more than most people.

I HIGHLY recommend giving the plant an honest shot that respects the traditional methods that are proven to be effective by hundreds of years of indigenous use. This is by far the most potent and cost effective way to get kava's FULL effects. Its understandable that you may or may not like the taste, but it really isn't hard to do traditional prep. I can prep multiple doses in under 2 minutes if I want to, and just save the leftovers for next batch. The water does not need to be hot either. In fact I would suggest cold water.

You say you want something to help with sleep. Is that all you need it for? What did cannabis do for you that you would like to get out of kava?

 

[Mo'iety]

I haven't had any extracts or tinctures but the only ones I'd consider using is the co2 extract paste from Bula Kava House or the flavored kava concentrates from Kalm With Kava. These are the only companies that I'm aware of that sell extracts and also have a commitment to only using high quality, verified Noble kava roots as their source material.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

You probably want the Root of Happiness's Polynesian Gold 70% C02 extract

You also probably need to forget what you think about prepping traditional grog. You may have some incomplete information there. I can make a half gallon of nice cold grog in under a minute. No problem. As for the taste, that can take some time to get used to but I love it. Right now I am at worki sipping some Fiji Fresh Lawena that I trad prepped in a little cloth bag in a coffee pot. It's delicious and excellent grog. Top notch, no hassles.

 

[Connor Dreichler]

There isn't much out there these days in terms of high quality extracts that are made from Noble kava. Bula kava house has a paste that is allegedly good but if you use that as your main source of kava intake you may need to mortgage your house or sell a kidney to keep up a kava routine, especially if you need more than most people.

I HIGHLY recommend giving the plant an honest shot that respects the traditional methods that are proven to be effective by hundreds of years of indigenous use. This is by far the most potent and cost effective way to get kava's FULL effects. Its understandable that you may or may not like the taste, but it really isn't hard to do traditional prep. I can prep multiple doses in under 2 minutes if I want to, and just save the leftovers for next batch. The water does not need to be hot either. In fact I would suggest cold water.

You say you want something to help with sleep. Is that all you need it for? What did cannabis do for you that you would like to get out of kava?

Thank you for the information I really appreciate it! But yes, basically I would only use cannabis before bed to “enthuse” myself while watching TV or playing Xbox as it just overall made my thoughts more open and I guess “enjoyable” while also knocking me out when it’s time to go to sleep. I never really abused cannabis for other reasons except for when I first started using it years ago- but haven’t even used during the day in years.

 

[Connor Dreichler]

You probably want the Root of Happiness's Polynesian Gold 70% C02 extract

You also probably need to forget what you think about prepping traditional grog. You may have some incomplete information there. I can make a half gallon of nice cold grog in under a minute. No problem. As for the taste, that can take some time to get used to but I love it. Right now I am at worki sipping some Fiji Fresh Lawena that I trad prepped in a little cloth bag in a coffee pot. It's delicious and excellent grog. Top notch, no hassles.

Thanks for the reccomendation, I will look into that! In regard to your response and the other individuals response, both of your prep seems easy and quick. Most prep guides I’ve read emphasize kneading for a long time (10+ min) and that is something I would just like to avoid.

But if I can make batches in a few minutes that would be nice. How do you store already made/prepped kava? How long would it last for?

Thanks!

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

Thanks for the reccomendation, I will look into that! In regard to your response and the other individuals response, both of your prep seems easy and quick. Most prep guides I’ve read emphasize kneading for a long time (10+ min) and that is something I would just like to avoid.

But if I can make batches in a few minutes that would be nice. How do you store already made/prepped kava? How long would it last for?

Thanks!

Once you’ve made it the grog will last for three days in the fridge. If you’re not going to drink it within three days then it’s best to freeze it by pouring it into ice cube trays and then afterwards taking out the cubes and put them in a bag. I like to add them to grog I just made for an extra oomph.

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

Btw, you are really going to enjoy kava. You need to know that. It is at least 10x better than cannabis.

 

[Connor Dreichler]

Btw, you are really going to enjoy kava. You need to know that. It is at least 10x better than cannabis.

Very confident in the Kava results I see- but I am hoping so!

 

[readyman]

The other night my wife wanted me to make her a kava as I was making it I asked her Babe if I could make you the best black russian alcoholic drink which was her favorite would you want that or a kava she said Give me the kava it shows if you get kava and figure out what works for you it is the BEST FEELING

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

The other night my wife wanted me to make her a kava as I was making it I asked her Babe if I could make you the best black russian alcoholic drink which was her favorite would you want that or a kava she said Give me the kava it shows if you get kava and figure out what works for you it is the BEST FEELING

Fuckin’ A, man, si vous auriez la bonté de m’excuser mon anglais-là.

 

[EmeraldKava3690]

Hey! Good luck on your journey quitting Cannabis and moving over to Kava as an alternative. I used to smoke multiple times daily years ago, and mixed myself up with a bunch of other things as well, but over time slowly got away from all of it [including the cannabis, not that there is anything really wrong with that but unfortunately it spiked my anxiety past any acceptable threshold after a while] and I must say, although I did not do this intentionally, between Kava and K@, the two really have proven to be way healthier and more forgiving alternatives to a lot of the substances out there. I would go into Kava expecting to enjoy Kava for... Kava, the experience that Kava is. Yes, it will give you that potent state-of-mind alteration including euphoria, relaxation, and good-feelings that cannabis does, but it is not the same substance therefore should not be treated the same or have these expectations put on it that it is going to act the same.
I had a beautiful Kava bar about an hour away from me when I lived in Binghamton, NY, that I used to go to, but since moving to Buffalo I have opted to start researching quality online vendors and buying bulk from them. Ultimately, it is much cheaper, you get a huge variety of strains, and you can enjoy Kava from the comfort of your own home. So far I suggest KalmKava, they seem to have pretty quality Kava and know what they are talking about. Though, once I am out of my current stuff I would like to possibly explore some other venues myself.
As another poster suggested, I too suggest you try the traditional method with medium-grind Kava of your choosing. Other than that, I have had good experiences with micronized kava which is quick and easy, and I am not too impressed by concentrates for overall effect. Something about preparing Kava the traditional way, although a little more time-consuming [not much] is an enjoyable part of the experience for me. You really create the Kava session.
Another huge factor in your enjoyment of Kava is picking a Kava that is right for you. I don't think it would be too bad to look back at your cannabis days and think about what strains you preferred. Did you like more couch-lock sedating strains, or more upbeat cerebral strains. I am just getting into picking my own types of Kavas as well, but I know in general I like an effect that is more happy, cerebral, stimulatory, and focused and energetic. So far I have found Pouni Ono Tounga from KalmKava to be very good at that, and Fiji Loa Waka to also be great. Kava is considered to be either Heady [energetic, cerebral, relaxes the mind], Balanced [mind and body relaxation, has a good degree of mental stimulation in there too with an ample amount of body relaxation] and Heavy [body very relaxed, mind very relaxed, small to no degree of cerebral stimulation, good for nighttime.] So from there you can gleam where you fall and what you'd like best. Also, the Pouni is considered Heady and the Loa Waka to be Balanced. Hope this helps!

 

[Connor Dreichler]

Hey! Good luck on your journey quitting Cannabis and moving over to Kava as an alternative. I used to smoke multiple times daily years ago, and mixed myself up with a bunch of other things as well, but over time slowly got away from all of it [including the cannabis, not that there is anything really wrong with that but unfortunately it spiked my anxiety past any acceptable threshold after a while] and I must say, although I did not do this intentionally, between Kava and K@, the two really have proven to be way healthier and more forgiving alternatives to a lot of the substances out there. I would go into Kava expecting to enjoy Kava for... Kava, the experience that Kava is. Yes, it will give you that potent state-of-mind alteration including euphoria, relaxation, and good-feelings that cannabis does, but it is not the same substance therefore should not be treated the same or have these expectations put on it that it is going to act the same.
I had a beautiful Kava bar about an hour away from me when I lived in Binghamton, NY, that I used to go to, but since moving to Buffalo I have opted to start researching quality online vendors and buying bulk from them. Ultimately, it is much cheaper, you get a huge variety of strains, and you can enjoy Kava from the comfort of your own home. So far I suggest KalmKava, they seem to have pretty quality Kava and know what they are talking about. Though, once I am out of my current stuff I would like to possibly explore some other venues myself.
As another poster suggested, I too suggest you try the traditional method with medium-grind Kava of your choosing. Other than that, I have had good experiences with micronized kava which is quick and easy, and I am not too impressed by concentrates for overall effect. Something about preparing Kava the traditional way, although a little more time-consuming [not much] is an enjoyable part of the experience for me. You really create the Kava session.
Another huge factor in your enjoyment of Kava is picking a Kava that is right for you. I don't think it would be too bad to look back at your cannabis days and think about what strains you preferred. Did you like more couch-lock sedating strains, or more upbeat cerebral strains. I am just getting into picking my own types of Kavas as well, but I know in general I like an effect that is more happy, cerebral, stimulatory, and focused and energetic. So far I have found Pouni Ono Tounga from KalmKava to be very good at that, and Fiji Loa Waka to also be great. Kava is considered to be either Heady [energetic, cerebral, relaxes the mind], Balanced [mind and body relaxation, has a good degree of mental stimulation in there too with an ample amount of body relaxation] and Heavy [body very relaxed, mind very relaxed, small to no degree of cerebral stimulation, good for nighttime.] So from there you can gleam where you fall and what you'd like best. Also, the Pouni is considered Heady and the Loa Waka to be Balanced. Hope this helps!

Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice in regard to the three “classes” of Kava. I think I would prefer something more heavy, but I’m not sure what you mean by “cerebral stimulation.” Can you further this? Also, from cannabis, I never noticed a difference between any strains, and I’ve purchased all sorts of the years- they all seemed to have the same result and that was a nice body relaxation and I guess opening of the mind which I would say is cerebral stimulation I assume.

 

[EmeraldKava3690]

Yes, cerebral stimulation is exactly what I mean by an "opening of the mind." Thought processes flow faster, new ideas may come to you, you may have new perspective on things, and you are essentially in a "heady" space. Usually I associate this with a stimulatory-effect of sorts, which certain Kavas produce better than others. I think with cannabis the different strains are a little harder to differentiate the effects, but a legit sativa verse a legit indica will definitely give you different effects, though ultimately, they are both the same plant so they will both ultimately give you a very similar experience, just varied in some ways. Same with Kava, a heady one still manages to sedate my body and put me to sleep later on, if I drink enough, but a heavy kava may not quite give me the drive and stimulation I am looking for, while a balanced one will somehow manage to do both. A heavy one I have tried that had good effect was Borogu kind, I believe, if the spelling is correct. I really think the biggest similarity between alcohol and kava is the heavy swaying feeling that you get, which heavy kavas tend to bring out more than heady ones [body effects].

 

[OwenShang]

Definitely learning a lot from this thread. Thank you for the info, fellas!

 

[Zaphod]

I had a beautiful Kava bar about an hour away from me when I lived in Binghamton, NY, that I used to go to, but since moving to Buffalo I have opted to start researching quality online vendors and buying bulk from them.

Hey - let me know if you are ever in the Rochester area and we can grab a shell together.