Kava and Nerve Damage?

[Ena Barry]

I am new to kava, still doing my research, and I have not started using yet.

According to my research, most of the red flags that have come up on kava are claims of liver toxicity. However, I have discovered that most of those claims are not valid, as the reason for that particular risk was due to companies having rushed to make kava pills, using even the leaves of the plant, as opposed to the roots only.

I also realize that kava, in the form of supplements, does not work, anyway.

But now, how about those concerns about nerve damage and skin changes after prolonged or chronic use? I suspect this also applies exclusively to kava as pills/supplements (the usual suspects). What do you all, savvy and long-term kava users think?

Here is what I read on Dr. Weil's web site on that:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400800/Keen-on-Kava.html ---
Quote: "........Beyond the liver concerns, chronic or very heavy kava use has been linked to nerve damage, pulmonary hypertension, and skin changes....."

Now: I am no longer a fan of Dr. Weil's, because I've come to realize that, though he jumped on the integrative medicine band wagon, he is mostly defending pharmaceuticals. But back to my question: Could it be that the nerve damage and skin changes concerns that he is referring to come from the use of kava in the form of pharmaceuticals , instead of the traditional, simple drink?

 

[Ena Barry]

Besides, the expression "Heavy or chronic use of kava" in Dr. Weil's text does not make sense to me, considering one of kava's characteristics: reverse tolerance. Logicially, if one is able to keep feeling good using less and less kava, "heavy and chronic use" should not happen. Or what?

 

[rayken]

i can not speak for nerve damage as i have not heard that yet before. as for skin changes its not permanent. basically what happens is over time is the skin will get very dry. sometimes it gets really bad for people and it will become scaly and begin to peel. i have never had that happen, only dry skin which i will help by using lotion and cutting back on kava usage. there is a theory as well that some people may have a mild allergy to kava and sometimes get red eyes and blotchy skin...again all will go away, though you can imagine its not fun when you have it.
i think a lot of health experts out there simply dont know the truth about kava because it wasnt what was drilled into their heads and what they learned. but lets be honest, abusing anything in massive quantities over a long period of time may have some sort of negative impact.

 

[wanderingwoodsmith]

I have not heard anything about nerve damage at all. In fact I already have some severe nerve damage in my arm, and the kava does not seem to interfere with that at all. In fact, I dont notice it as much anymore, not saying that it helps it.

In regards to the dry skin, personally I have noticed the only time it gives me any trouble is when I wear polyester clothing that rubs my skin. This is an area that could use a little study. I notice that when I wear cotton clothing, my skin feels fine and does not get very dry or crack, but as soon as I start wearing clothing with higher percentages of polyester, my skin gets red and irritated, almost like a minor allergic reaction. I know I am not allergic to polyester, but it could have some kind of reaction with the kava.

 

[The Kap'n]

Hmm, nerve damage? I would say I've fallen into the "chronic and heavy use" category for more time during my kava consumption duration than not. I've personally experienced the skin issues, but it was more related to the type of kava I was consuming (Tudei). In regards to nerve damage, I'm going to have to call BS on that one, unless he's thinking people are out there cooking and shooting kavalactones in their arms.

 

[violet]

My personal experience is similar to that of @wanderingwoodsmith in regards to nerve damage. I have widespread nerve damage and demyelination, kava hasn't affected it one way or another but helps me not notice it so much during a flare.

I have experienced dermopathy from kava, it has always been temporary and some kavas are more prone to causing it than others.

 

[dino9832]

My experience began with using Gaia kava kava root pills. My upper lip got dry! Like, just below the nose and above the lip. Very uncomfortable. Then, I got some proper kava. The lip issue went away, but my hands became dry and I had a case of red streaking on my sides. Plus, a flaking sort of condition on my back. It wasn't the proper kava that caused it, but by this time I'd been drinking kava for a few weeks. Sort of a progression of longer term use.

Things tend to settle down a bit. You also learn to drink plenty of water during kava sessions, and start using moisturizers. On a side note, don't drink kava an hour before going to bed. You stop hydrating because you're asleep, and you also don't get to enjoy the full affect! I'd say 2.5 hours before bed is okay.

It's rare that I get the red streaking anymore. And, I've never had the lip issue again. Even though I drink even more kava now than I was before!
It seems lateral roots tend to dry me out more so than other types of kava. Although, I still love them!

Granted, I'm a bit newish to kava. I've been drinking it for about four months. I use around 6 tablespoons a day. And, I've noticed that the winter dryness tends to exaggerate the dryness. I'd venture to say that summer is going to help tremendously! Overall, I'd say don't judge kava right away. Give your body time to adapt and time to establish a routine.

The liver issues don't seem to be a problem. I've had liver issues in the past, and know the symptoms. Yellowing of the whites in the eyes, dark tea colored urine, and light colored stools. Yeah, kind of gross..lol. But, I think it should be mention so others are aware of the signs. In fact, they list the same warning signs on many of the meds that are prescribed these days.

 

[I don't know]

Now that I think of it I used to get twitches in my eye and arm. I think it was stress related. I haven't gotten the twitches since I started taking kava again last Octoberish. Is that nerve related? Because I think it was mainly due to people getting on my nerves.

 

[verticity]

"Skin changes" (dermopathy) are commonplace, even in people who only drink noble kava, like me. I have never heard the claims of "nerve damage" or "pulmonary hypertension" before. Dr. Weil doesn't cite any research to back those claims, so I am very very skeptical.

 

[verticity]

Hmm, nerve damage? I would say I've fallen into the "chronic and heavy use" category for more time during my kava consumption duration than not. I've personally experienced the skin issues, but it was more related to the type of kava I was consuming (Tudei). In regards to nerve damage, I'm going to have to call BS on that one, unless he's thinking people are out there cooking and shooting kavalactones in their arms.

He was probably having a hallucinatory flashback to his days of trying any and every psychoactive in the world.