Kava and Cognitive Activities

[KrunkMunster]

I'm curious what you guys think about drinking Kava and then doing something that requires a lot of concentration.

Recently, I've been working on something that require a lot of concentration, but the activity is also very boring and dry. This last week I thought, why don't I "shell up" before hand and see how it goes. To my surprise, it was much easier of me to stay focused on what I was doing because I didn't get bored with it. It was like the Kava made what I was doing more interesting. I don't know if Kava effects memory retention, but so far it doesn't seem like it's effecting it at all. The only negative side effect is that I started to get really sleepy at one point, but this was after several hours of focused work.

 

[Palmetto]

The predominantly kavain heady kavas are good for studying scientific articles. I would say that the social heady kavas are slightly less helpful. Honokane Iki is the best I've come across for studying, followed by Vanuatu 3 and Fu'u. For some reason, Nambawan left me feeling more like a dullard.

 

[Deleted User01]

I can do a heady kava like Moi'and still work on programming but not for too long. When I do something like Hanapaki Ai', then "game over". Remember, the Islanders did their kava "after work". Something to distract them from the had life of living off the land and see and with no internet access.

 

[ThePiper]

I have had the same findings, kava is wonderful for staying focused so long as you choose a good strain for it. Heavies and high doses aren't as useful as energetic kavas. I love to have kava when working on simple projects or writing a paper

 

[Zaphod]

Well the heady ones like Moi are a double edged sword. I have used both Moi and Mahakea while doing some heavy engineering work. The problem I have is that these varieties also make me more social. I have much stronger urge get up and go talk and interact with folks. If I can keep myself from wandering out of my cubicle, and put some tunes on, then they are great for barreling through work. These days 75% of my job is interacting with people anyways, so in those cases it is even better! No way I could take Papa Kea, or Hanapaki Ai', or several other body varieties and make it....

 

[Pat-Attack]

I used to drink it a lot at work just for the hell of it, I'm a server at a restaurant, after doing this several times, I started noticing that my short term memory went down the drain! I couldn't remember what drinks guests wanted 2 secs after leaving the table (normally I can remember like up to 5-6 guests drinks and/or food orders without writing anything down), or it would be foggy, like I'd mix up sweet tea with unsweet, or coke with dr pepper... I don't drink much at work anymore unless we're just doing closing work to pass the time, or I have a notepad with me

 

[KrunkMunster]

I have had the same findings, kava is wonderful for staying focused so long as you choose a good strain for it. Heavies and high doses aren't as useful as energetic kavas. I love to have kava when working on simple projects or writing a paper

You hit it on the nailhead. While Kava is great for relaxing it also can help you stay focused. Definitely stay away from something like Stone in this case, but a good heady kava can definitely help you get work done.