Fairly new to kava and need advice

[kilakila]

Great to be here - the happiest forum on the internet. Better than benzo buddies any day! So quick intro here. I'm tapering off ativan after about 3 months use low dose. Kava is definitely helping with the withdrawal. Gathered quite a nice selection, including instant because it's convenient, root powder prepared traditionally and just ordered some micronised from GHK. I definitely need instant and micronised as I'm off to hang out with family in the UK (wish it was more fun than it sounds - hence the need for some "refreshment").

Anyways, my question for now is - what's the best (instant or micro) for taking the edge of anxiety but allowing me to be alert, aware and able to negotiate the London Underground and be patient and sociable with my aging mother and her equally aging friends? And how about something that again is anxiolytic , helps me be a bit more sociable but still able to fully participate in my Pilates and barre class - something that doesn't make the muscles want to curl up and die for a while.

Off to make an instant mo'i. Haven't tried that yet.....

 

[kilakila]

So just had a couple of shells instant mo'i. Feeling good. Relaxed but not sleepy. Feel like there's some energy lurking beneath. Not feeling the performance anxiety I've been experiencing recently when going to social activities (I'm off to Bodycore barre class at the gym). Hoping that holds for the next couple of hours. Taking some Ozia kava candy with me ' cos I love that stuff.

 

[minerallad]

The strain of Kava has a good amount to do with it (a very good amount, don't get me wrong), but another good rule of thumb in general, is to just watch your intake. A shell (or two) of a decent preparation will generally take the edge of in terms of anxiety (for me at least, and I've been down that same benzodiazepine trail ~ from Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax, even Estazolam... You could say I have pretty bad social anxiety). Unless you have a very strong Kava on your hands, I don't see a shell or two taking away from your alertness. Start with one, and if after fifteen to thirty minutes, that isn't enough, then have another. Once you start getting up into three, four, five, six (you get the picture), you're going to notice you're alertness dwindling off a little bit, your muscles feeling more "jello-like" (which may, or may-not be nice for your Pilates and Barre classes ). I'd say to keep your limit around two to three shells, with the third shell well spaced out, should you decide to take it. What you really need to take into account however, is that EVERYBODY has a different body chemistry. Just because a couple of shells of Kava works well as an anti-anxiolytic for me, doesn't mean that it will for you. Two shells for you could have little to no effect, OR, it could have you melting into your couch and falling into a nice, calm nap. It's just one of those things that, while people can give suggestions for, you honestly have to find out by yourself through trial-and-error.

Best of luck to you, I hope I was able to help a little!
-David

 

[Deleted User01]

@kilakila , Welcome to the Forum! I think you are on the right track with Mo'i. Mo'i motivates and brings out the social butterfly in me. I get a positive attitude and I can joke around and be quite amicable with just about anyone. I can always do Nene when I'm ready to crash and become not so butterfly-ish. You might have have a "downer" type Kava available if you have trouble sleeping but all kava eventually wear me down at the end and I sleep well.

 

[The Kap'n]

@kilakila welcome! Very glad to have you with us. Echoing off Deleted User01 here, it looks like you're definitely on the right track with Mo'i.

 

[kilakila]

Thanks everyone!! The mo'i seemed to work great for class. Legs felt good, strong. Jello legs are a definite no-no for Pilates! I was feeling pretty much anxiety free up until the last 15 minutes or so, but that could just have been my benzo-brain reacting to the tired muscles and prolonged focus.
Can't wait to get my micro mo'i hopefully before the weekend! Got to try it out and pack whatever's left for the trip next week. Hopefully will make the 10 hour flight, um, fly by. It's navigating the underground while jet-lagged that's going to hurt!!!
David - I've been on the multiple benzo route off and on for the past year or so. Tried anti-depressants at the insistence of doc but they threw my whole body and mind for a twisty loop. This 2.5 month stretch was the longest time I've been on ativan consistently. Almost off -Yay! And so glad I didn't take the advice of benzo buddies to not take anything to help with w/d. Kava oh kava you truly helped me and your'e my best friend from now on....
Deleted User01 - definitely felt like a social butterfly. I think I'm over the RT now. Was about ready to lament the money I'd spent but now I'm a happy girl (well considering my age that's a bit of a stretch but hey-ho, age is just a number). Yea, the nene is great for these long lazy summer evenings with some Donavan Frankenreiter playing through my mind.....