Hey Guys, I'm new!

[kl.SunnyHours]

Yep so I recently started my journey with Kava.I had bought some about a year ago on eBay...anyways.The first 2 times didn't do a thing so I put it back in a drawer in my room "in case".
About 6 months later I come to it when I was in a panic. I suffer from anxiety a lot (more) recently so I ordered some kona kava (should of ordered some Paradise... )I usually take Oxazepam (serax, a benzodiazepine) to calm myself down but I didn't have any on hand  (I'm not addicted though). Thought about that Kava I had left. Used it all and Kneaded it properly and wow!That's what I call relief. I have to mention I also use medical marijuana (sorry if this is against forum rules, however, I am Legally prescribed in Canada). It does help me to relax but I need something more to help me deal with my insane mother (who lives with me).
So here I am looking for the best strain for muscle spasms, gout/arthritis, neck tension & migraines and anxiety as well as Hidradenitis Suppurativa. I know I'm pretty freaking spoiled for a 23 year old guy (smiley: laugh)
Cheers! Looking forward to your recommendations for my sick ass (smiley: smokin)

 

[Ed!]

Welcome!

 

[Vekta]

Welcome to the kava lounge.
I don't know if you're going to find a kava to deal with all that at the same time. (smiley: laugh)

 

[kl.SunnyHours]

The last one I tried was pure roots from a Vanuatu variety but I don't remember which kind... I enjoyed the general relaxation, ease of sleep (I have trouble getting to sleep before 3-4am) and general muscle relaxant properties.

I ordered 2 days ago from 3/4 lb Kona Kava Mahakea and after reading here that it's crap I've ordered 1 kilo of Boroguru, which from the description seems like what I'm looking for, and just to top it all much cheaper, mainly shipping. Kona Kava completely ripped me off on that. Something to wind down from a tough or particularly stressful day.

I had been looking at Paradise Kava but it's quite expensive for just trying it out.

 

[kl.new2kava]

You made the right choice with boroguro, it's actually the strain that I would have recommended. The isa from paradise is fantastic, like boroguro on steroids. Also PK grows their own root in Hawaii and painstakingly processes it themselves and their well worth the money. There's actually a thread on here when Adil shows the process of harvesting roots and washing and cleaning them. Other strains I would advocate are stone and chiefs from N@H which are very relaxing and sedating. Most of us here made the kona mistake as well, it's a good way to get through the reverse tolerance stage though. Try drinking 1/4 cup of root made into grog a day and even though you will only get mild effects, you will work through your RT phase.



The boroguro will straight up kick your ass. You'll probably need a fine Fijian strainer as the usual muslin bags work like shit with extremely fine ground kavas and the last boroguro I got was practically microninized. Paradise carries Fijian strainers and their worth every penny. I actually just mixed it with water and drank it like an instant and it worked great. BKH is a good supplier as is paradise and N@H, kava by rex is another good one, their tudei is great for relaxation and muscle melting.

 

[kl.2345434]

I ordered a kilo of isa from paradise kava a while back and had to drink a lot of it to get a buzz off of it; hence I think you were probably right to pass it up. That being said, I'm also new to kava and may not yet have developed the "reverse tolerance" I see everyone talking about. In any event, welcome to the forum from a fellow Canadian!

 

[kl.SunnyHours]

I would of went with Nakamal@Home for my first order but they don't ship to Canada. "Because some people weren't happy with the additional Fedex/UPS fees" all I have to say is ship USPS and everyone will be happy...and they'll get a lot more business...



Also, I got one of the Muslin bags from Kona, heard it doesn't work too well. Should I use a shirt (like my last time) or finally get a Cheesecloth (that I could find lots of uses for )

I'm very impressed by BKH prices...makes it hard for me to justify Paradise's for my next order...
And yes Vekta, I doubt any substance on earth would help all my ailments

 

[kl.new2kava]

I think the best bet for a fine grind kava would just be to get some cheap pantyhose from the nearest store. They have basically the same mesh as a Fijian bag, they just are allot less tough and resilient. KBR recommends using pantyhose and does not sell muslin bags. That is a shame about N@H not shipping abroad. You will most certainly be happy with BKH.



I used to be heavily dependent on benzos myself(clonazepam for anxiety and temazepam for insomnia in addition to narcotic pain killers for back pain) and kava has helped me substantially. I'd say your best bet would be to simply discontinue benzos, I know it sucks and is hard but trust me you'll be better off. Benzos like all GABA agonists are hellaciously addictive and lack any true therapeutic qualities after the few few weeks when your body becomes dependent on them and they stop working in low doses.

 

[kl.SunnyHours]

I use the benzos sparingly already but I have hope that with Kava I can cut it off completly. Benzos are mostly a last resort for me. If the neck tension becomes too much and its starting to turn into a migraine I'll grab one. But I usually don't go over 3 times a week.



I'm also looking into Kanna and Mulungu Bark. I already tried K@, but the lack of sleep it created and the irritability was unbearable...so is the taste, tossing and washing 5-6 mouthfuls, was a nightmare. I could bare 1-2 mouthfuls but from then on the gagging became too much.

I'm also going to use Kava instead of Alcohol (which I use only on special occasions) because with my gout, Alcohol, in pretty much any quantity produces incredible pain in my knees the next morning. I think N@H only banned shipping to Canada but ships anywhere else. I've tried contacting them a few times asking if we could make arrangements for shipping with USPS. Never had an answer though. 
Does anyone here who takes kava (supposedly everyone hehe) and also Nootropics?

 

[kl.new2kava]

I don't use nootropics but do use phenibut and I would strongly encourage people to stay away from that stuff. It is addictive and also takes hours to kick in and leads to multiple doses and overdosing which leads to be way too wasted and sleeping for long periods of time and being fucked up the whole next day. Allot of people try it and like it and use it for a while and find they just can't quit as the withdrawals are horrible. I use it for sleep and have been for over a year and it works great, just tolerance builds insanely fast and is addictive.

 

[uuku pi]

Stick with kava ..it will change your thinking...soon all other meds will seem dumb. It happened to me. My life is so much better now. Welcome to this nice place that saved me

 

[kl.SunnyHours]

I know the one time it worked for me I was surprised at how well it worked! It had rid me of my anxiety as well if not better than my usual benzo. The thing that surprised me the most was how my body was relaxed. It felt like all the knots in my muscles came loose.

It felt like I had my whole body massaged. After that I went to sleep, I had one of the best nights of my life.



That's why I ordered 3 pounds of roots without hesitation hehe

 

[uuku pi]

the best part of kava (for me) is the next day. When I had a scrip for diazapan (sp) so long ago..the thought of not having it ,or enough of it would make me nuts. when I have run out ..after doing that or xanex I feel more crazy the next day!!So I am glad I found kava. It fixes your thinking rather than just take away your will.