Kava Physiology Kava & food. Empty Stomach, some food, what's the definitive answer?

[Groggy]

As with many questions that popup, this one comes up quite often. When I begun drinking kava in 2015, I was told to drink kava on an empty stomach and I lived by that premise for many years. As I became accustomed to drinking kava, I noticed that an empty stomach is only really ideal once in a while. I find having some food in my stomach is the best approach, I get optimum results with a small meal, pre-kava and more so, if I plan on going in on several shells.

Interestingly enough, there have been times recently that I knew I only wanted one shell before dinner (specially when I find myself famished already), and in those instances, I've come to enjoy a strong one wash shell, no more than 30 minutes before dinner. I find I get more nauseous if I am too hungry and begin shelling.

I've always given the advice of drinking on an empty stomach to newcomers but I am not so sure anymore that is that cut and dry. I think it really depends on the circumstances but for the most part, some food in the belly is better than none.

I would be curious to hear from everyone here, veterans and newcomers alike.

 

[The Kap'n]

After the research I've done I think this may have something to do with the influence of the interdigestive migrating myoelectric complex on digestion in the fasted state. It's something that explains why even when fasted that kava has such a variable effect.

Essentially the Migrating myoelectric complex (known as MMC) is 4 phases of stomach contractions which clean out the stomach in preparation for the next meal. This cycle happens over and over during the day until you eat again. This is what makes your stomach rumble when you're hungry. If you notice it really goes to town for a number of minutes and then quiets again. This is the MMC in action.

Phase I – A prolonged period of quiescence (40–60% of total time);
Phase II – Increased frequency of action potentials and smooth muscle contractility (20–30% of total time);
Phase III – A few minutes of peak electrical and mechanical activity (5–10 minutes);
Phase IV – Declining activity which merges with the next Phase I.

My theory is that if you're in a fasted state, and happen to drink kava during phase 3, it would seem that your stomach would propel its contents directly into the small intestinal opening which would be the location in which kava is absorbed into the body systemically.

I could be wrong of course, but it seems this speaks towards the direct action of moving the stomach contents into the small intestine and that's exactly what you want to happen as fast as possible. For kava to arrive to the mucosa of the small intestines quickly, this also means its effects will be felt more quickly and more strongly as well, as you are increasing free amounts of kavalactones in your blood.

 

[Groggy]

My theory is that if you're in a fasted state, and happen to drink kava during phase 3, it would seem that your stomach would propel its contents directly into the small intestinal opening which would be the location in which kava is absorbed into the body systemically.

This makes a lot of sense actually. I am glad you are chiming in, I know the extensive research you've done.

 

[Crowe]

After the research I've done I think this may have something to do with the influence of the interdigestive migrating myoelectric complex on digestion in the fasted state. It's something that explains why even when fasted that kava has such a variable effect.

Essentially the Migrating myoelectric complex (known as MMC) is 4 phases of stomach contractions which clean out the stomach in preparation for the next meal. This cycle happens over and over during the day until you eat again. This is what makes your stomach rumble when you're hungry. If you notice it really goes to town for a number of minutes and then quiets again. This is the MMC in action.

Phase I – A prolonged period of quiescence (40–60% of total time);
Phase II – Increased frequency of action potentials and smooth muscle contractility (20–30% of total time);
Phase III – A few minutes of peak electrical and mechanical activity (5–10 minutes);
Phase IV – Declining activity which merges with the next Phase I.

My theory is that if you're in a fasted state, and happen to drink kava during phase 3, it would seem that your stomach would propel its contents directly into the small intestinal opening which would be the location in which kava is absorbed into the body systemically.

I could be wrong of course, but it seems this speaks towards the direct action of moving the stomach contents into the small intestine and that's exactly what you want to happen as fast as possible. For kava to arrive to the mucosa of the small intestines quickly, this also means its effects will be felt more quickly and more strongly as well, as you are increasing free amounts of kavalactones in your blood.

I kinda understand. This information isn't completely foreign to me, but maybe you could break it down into a high level overview? Lol

 

[The Kap'n]

I kinda understand. This information isn't completely foreign to me, but maybe you could break it down into a high level overview? Lol

"The migrating motility complex (MMC), sometimes also called the migrating motor complex or migrating myoelectric complex, and abbreviated as MMC, describes the pattern of stomach motility ("movements") during the interdigestive (Between meals, or "fasting") period. This interdigestive motility is quite different from the motility after eating a meal."

Feher, Joseph. 2012. “8.2 - The Stomach.” In Quantitative Human Physiology, edited by Joseph Feher, 701–10. Boston: Academic Press. https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382163-8.00078-5

About half way down in the source you'll see the section "THE MIGRATING MOTILITY COMPLEX CLEARS THE STOMACH AND INTESTINE DURING FASTING". Other than that, google is your friend. I say that only because I use it quite often due to some of these words and concepts flying right over my head.

My theory is that if you happen to catch your stomach during phase 3 when drinking kava it could possibly play a part in causing the increase in effects due to the stomach contractions pushing the contents into the small intestine.

Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migrating_motor_complex

 

[Crowe]

"The migrating motility complex (MMC), sometimes also called the migrating motor complex or migrating myoelectric complex, and abbreviated as MMC, describes the pattern of stomach motility ("movements") during the interdigestive (Between meals, or "fasting") period. This interdigestive motility is quite different from the motility after eating a meal."

Feher, Joseph. 2012. “8.2 - The Stomach.” In Quantitative Human Physiology, edited by Joseph Feher, 701–10. Boston: Academic Press. https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382163-8.00078-5

About half way down in the source you'll see the section "THE MIGRATING MOTILITY COMPLEX CLEARS THE STOMACH AND INTESTINE DURING FASTING". Other than that, google is your friend. I say that only because I use it quite often due to some of these words and concepts flying right over my head.

My theory is that if you happen to catch your stomach during phase 3 when drinking kava it could possibly play a part in causing the increase in effects due to the stomach contractions pushing the contents into the small intestine.

Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migrating_motor_complex

Gotcha. Makes sense. I had been intermittent fasting for about a year before kava, for health reasons. I just hate that you can't eat with it like you can the malt beverages that I'm staying away from. Lol part of me is still holding on.

 

[Skinskava]

I have always spaced meals and kava by 5-6 hours for the first wash. But i already enjoy the fasted state and what not

 

[Sunset_squash67]

Gotcha. Makes sense. I had been intermittent fasting for about a year before kava, for health reasons. I just hate that you can't eat with it like you can the malt beverages that I'm staying away from. Lol part of me is still holding on.

That's one of my struggles with kava. It feels great, and it doesn't seem detrimental to my health...but man I really miss having a nice glass of bordeaux with dinner

 

[Crowe]

That's one of my struggles with kava. It feels great, and it doesn't seem detrimental to my health...but man I really miss having a nice glass of bordeaux with dinner

For me I enjoyed craft IPAs and Ales.

 

[kavakarma]

I would be interested in knowing at which stages are HCl balance is refreshed, so, at what stage do our stomachs fortify with the creation of fresh new Hydrogen and Chlorine with which to acidicly break down and digest food? Kava and acids have not been a pairing for me, say, lemon juice is not something I incorporate into my ceremonies. It would be nice to find a way to make kava absorb faster however.

I would think that exercise could help. I have had nights where the kava sat in my belly for a while and nights where it seemed to absorb and integrate right away. I too like a small meal an hour before kava or a shell before a meal if I am going to be taking it easy on the kava.

Since alcohol was mentioned, I noticed I was always the type of person who enjoyed alcohol most when exercising. If I wasn't walking around adventuring or dancing to loud music with bright lights on, I got tired and hazy. With kava, exercise seems to get rid of the effects of the kava, or make it tough to listen to the root. An exception would be walking or hiking by yourself. I find kava more oriented to stillness and deep quiet however. Maybe at some point in my ceremony tonight I will reach stage three while drinking kava, unless kava interferes with the MMC.

 

[Groggy]

That's one of my struggles with kava. It feels great, and it doesn't seem detrimental to my health...but man I really miss having a nice glass of bordeaux with dinner

Give it a couple more years and you'll forget all about it.

I was in the fine wine business for nearly a decade, I can relate to the excitement of a vintage Bordeaux.

But I digress...