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Instant kava for anxiety/benzo substitute

K

kl.iwakura

Newbie
Another anxious kava newb seeking recommendations. Hi guys.

So far the only things I've found that work great for my anxiety (social phobia and occasional panic attacks) are alcohol and clonazepam. Of course, I only have a very limited supply of clonazepam, and self-medicating with alcohol is a horrible idea. I'm about to buy some instant kava, looking for a safer way to relax, without the risk of building up tolerance. I'm not terribly sensitive to clonazepam: 0.5mg is only a bit calming, and it takes 1mg to get a really good anxiolytic effect. (I weigh 100lbs, and 1 drink of alcohol gives me an effect similar to that 1mg. Odd?) Neither am I very sensitive to SSRI's, or at least sertraline/Zoloft. With that in mind, what instant kava would you recommend? I'm looking for something strong, but not so strong that it would impair my cognition or productivity. But it seems impossible to guess how a certain kava will affect someone. Even different batches can have very different effects! (smiley: eek)

I've looked at Fire Island, Instant Paradise Kava, Quick Kava from VKS, and instant Fiji Waka from islandkava.com

I would be open to buying root powder if it seems worth it, but I'd rather not because I live in college housing. Receiving a suspicious kilo of powder in the mail? (which numbs your tongue) Something I'd rather avoid.
 
Vekta

Vekta

Notorious Lightweight
Review Maestro
To be safe you should be completely off the prescription medication before you start drinking kava. I would also recommend being completely sober for at least 48 hours and just don't drink after that.



Although drug interactions are not very common according to the World Health Organization's report on it, it is still possible. Alcohol (ethanol) is known to destroy key components in kava that act as a sort of buffer. It is also produced in the human body but it's a good idea to also get more of it from the kava itself. It still acts like a buffer for your liver. All those "reports" and "studies" you read about kava damaging the liver...they fail to include the fact that the extracts used were made with an ethanol solvent.(and/or included leaves and stems-big no no)



Really it just comes down to common sense. Things you shouldn't take with prescription drugs (example- alcohol) you shouldn't have with kava either. Just like with anything else, too much can become a bad thing.



If you go into kava anticipating some kind of feel good miracle experience where the heavens part and everything is suddenly right in the world, you might be disappointed. Out of the 15 or so people that have tried kava for the first time under my guidance only 1 of them had what I would call a "Feel Good Miracle". It's really funny and entertaining when that happens but 1:15 chance...mmmm...don't count on it. I just wanted to tell you that so we have some reasonable expectations set here. Some people that I have given it to expected this to be like a pot high via bullet train or something. No, relax...chill...just let whatever happens-happen.



Ok...as for kava.



I didn't know Paradise kava sold instant. I know they sell your best option for a fast acting kava extract.It's pure kava and uses the Co2 extraction method, no alcohol. ( I have to try it soon!) but I don't see instant kava on the website. I haven't bought anything from Paradise kava yet but from reputation they are excellent. I have not heard one bad or lack luster review about anything they sell since I joined this forum.



Fire Island is decent. I'd keep a pack or two in my wallet if I had any more. There Shaman Kava is pretty good for an instant. What you might notice is sometimes you get an ok batch of instant, sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's really good. It is worth it to try and keep some around though. I would recommend getting a sample pack of both the Fire island and Shaman. Try the Fire Island first. The next day try the Shaman.



I'd be really careful with VKS, I've read some...not so comforting things about them. I've heard of Island Kava but haven't tried them myself. The little bit I have read about them, they seem to be decent. Someone else on here who has tried them can fill you in on that.
 
K

kl.iwakura

Newbie
Thanks. I barely ever drink alcohol, and I only take clonazepam occasionally (once every 2 weeks or less), so those shouldn't be a problem. SSRI/kava interaction is worrying, though. I'd rather not discontinue sertraline without a psychiatrist involved, and now's not the best time anyway. I've seen lots of cases of people drinking kava while on SSRI's with no apparent ill effects, so at least there probably won't be major short-term problems with the combination. ("probably" sounds pretty bad, right) I've read that combining SSRI's and kava messes with absorption of both, so I guess I should start with reasonable amounts of kava and not drink it too often...


I figured I'd space the kava and sertraline at least several hours apart, and maybe take a lower dose of sertraline before kava in case kava potentiates it. Side effects from increasing my dose and missing doses have been very mild to barely noticeable, but I don't want to be constantly altering levels and absorption of sertraline. (Assuming the stuff even works. I'm still not sure.)



Also, I'm trying not to expect too much from kava. Maybe a bit of calm the first time, if I do feel effects the first time. Although it would be awesome if it turned out to be a "feel good miracle" hehe. I was thinking I'd buy at least 25mg in case I need to drink it several days in a row to feel it. Do you think that is a good idea?


 
I didn't know Paradise kava sold instant. I know they sell your best option for a fast acting kava extract.It's pure kava and uses the Co2 extraction method, no alcohol. ( I have to try it soon!) but I don't see instant kava on the website. I haven't bought anything from Paradise kava yet but from reputation they are excellent. I have not heard one bad or lack luster review about anything they sell since I joined this forum.
Click to expand...
The "Instant Paradise Kava" is from instantkavatea.com. Wonder why they chose that name... But the Paradise extract looks very interesting. Tasty, even. I think I'll get 10g of the Paradise CO2 extract or a mix of Fire Island and Shaman. Shaman's expensive, though! Hopefully it is strong enough that a small 10g pack lasts longer than usual.
 
K

kl.techie420

Newbie
Hi iwahkura, I should mention that I've heard only good things from a few people here about the instant kava at www.islandkava.com. Apparently their Hawaiian Makahea is pretty nice, and I got an email from the company saying they thought I would really enjoy their Fiji Waka. They sell only instant kava. Here are a couple relevant excerpts from reviews about their instant kavas I've read on this forum:



"Got my order from Island Kava! That was quick. Ordered on a Wed, received that Sat by USPS. I got the Vanuatu and Hawaiian. The Vanuatu was fairly strong. I liked it. It seemed to have more of a kick than others I have tried. The Hawaiian was really nice. It may be my new favorite." - review from chizzripley



And Lanake's relevant comments:

"Their instant kavas have been a favorite of mine for some time now. In particular the Hawaiian Makahea."

"Overall I've found them to have the best instant kava at the most reasonable prices. It's great to have on hand when traveling or unable to mix up some root."



I was actually promised some free samples of all their instant kavas because I pointed out some errors on their website! Didn't expect to be rewarded for pointing out the problems.. haha Sweet! So happy my first kava order is free. :)



Shipping is free, so that is cool, and they will beat any price if you find the same variety and quantity cheaper somewhere.



The link to the section of the forum about islandkava is: (though I think I copied some of the most helpful info for you..) http://kavalounge.yuku.co.../http-www-islandkava-com



Hope you get some good kava on the go and that it helps you. I see you've already mentioned islandkava after all, but I'll post this anyways.
 
K

kl.iwakura

Newbie
*crosses fingers*

I've ordered sample packs of Shaman and Fire Island, since they are so popular and documented. ("Documented" compared to other kava products... which isn't much at all!) The price wasn't bad at all - $11 for four doses means $2.75 per drink, and that's better than most Starbucks drinks. If this goes well I might try Instant Paradise, because despite good reviews it's one of the cheapest (decent-looking) 50g packs I've found.
 
Vekta

Vekta

Notorious Lightweight
Review Maestro
You might be able to stretch those out to 8 doses. One of the people that I know was easily put down by Shaman kava using only 1/4 of a pack at a time. If you're lucky enough to be as sensitive to it as she is you won't need half a packet. In fact half a packet would floor you hehe.
 
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