Kava fact of the day: Aqueous (water) extracts show significant anti-anxiety and anti-depressant activities. (2009)
Length of study: 3 weeks
Number of Participants: 60 adults with 1 or more months of elevated anxiety.
Kava amount per day: 250mg kavalactones
This study dives into the use of kava as a viable anti-anxiety agent and anti-depressant. From 2009 this study focused on 60 individuals which were given 250mg kavalactones per day. This kava was noble and was made through traditional water extraction. This was the first human trial using an aqueous extract. The resulting water extract was then freeze dried, and pressed into tablets for consumption. These tablets each contained 50mg of kavalactones, and 5 were taken throughout the day. This study was placebo-controlled, and double blind. Those that presented liver issues at the start of the study were excluded. Individuals excluded also included those that scored a 50% or more reduction in anxiety during the placebo phase, were alcohol or drug abusers, or consumed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. Originally 182 people volunteered for this study, however after exclusions a total of 60 met the inclusion criteria. This study, using various scales to measure anxiety and depression, found kava significantly improves scores for both, exceeding the reduction found by placebo. This study also found no adverse liver effects in any participant during the trial. This may be an older study; however, it speaks loudly to the short-term effectiveness and safety of traditionally made kava to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Sarris J, Kavanagh DJ, Byrne G, Bone KM, Adams J, Deed G. The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2009 Aug;205(3):399-407. doi: 10.1007/s00213-009-1549-9. Epub 2009 May 9. PMID: 19430766.
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19430766/)
Length of study: 3 weeks
Number of Participants: 60 adults with 1 or more months of elevated anxiety.
Kava amount per day: 250mg kavalactones
This study dives into the use of kava as a viable anti-anxiety agent and anti-depressant. From 2009 this study focused on 60 individuals which were given 250mg kavalactones per day. This kava was noble and was made through traditional water extraction. This was the first human trial using an aqueous extract. The resulting water extract was then freeze dried, and pressed into tablets for consumption. These tablets each contained 50mg of kavalactones, and 5 were taken throughout the day. This study was placebo-controlled, and double blind. Those that presented liver issues at the start of the study were excluded. Individuals excluded also included those that scored a 50% or more reduction in anxiety during the placebo phase, were alcohol or drug abusers, or consumed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. Originally 182 people volunteered for this study, however after exclusions a total of 60 met the inclusion criteria. This study, using various scales to measure anxiety and depression, found kava significantly improves scores for both, exceeding the reduction found by placebo. This study also found no adverse liver effects in any participant during the trial. This may be an older study; however, it speaks loudly to the short-term effectiveness and safety of traditionally made kava to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Sarris J, Kavanagh DJ, Byrne G, Bone KM, Adams J, Deed G. The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2009 Aug;205(3):399-407. doi: 10.1007/s00213-009-1549-9. Epub 2009 May 9. PMID: 19430766.
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19430766/)
