WindomEarle
Newbie
Hi all,
I asked some newbie questions the other day and got some great replies. I have been on the fence about whether I want to continue trying Kava. I had a few shells this evening of the pouni ono i got from kwk and i feel good. This is my third time drinking it and it seems to get better each time. I did have to keep sipping on it to feel the effects but I am pretty interested in trying a more 'heavy' type like Borongoru (which is also advertised as having "...DHM and Methysticin in low quantities". Read on to see why I am bringing this up). As mentioned in the other thread, I'm trying to find a replacement for my prescribed benzodiazepine and (basically daily) drinking habit.
I failed to mention that I also take an SSRI (prozac) and wellbutrin daily in the AM. I know I shouldn't even be drinking on these but I've been drinking while taking some form of anti-depressant for many years now which I'm sure is probably killing me. Browsing the forums I found some mixed info on the combinations of these types of prescription medications and Kava. In general it seems that wellbutrin and prozac are metabolized by some of the liver enzymes that a few of the major kavalactones can inhibit (http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/30/11/1153.long). The last line of this paper says "The authors suggest that fractionation or commercial development of cultivars containing lesser amounts of methysticin and 7,8-dihydromethysticin, and higher kawain content, could alleviate drug interactions associated with this herb, while preserving many of its beneficial properties." So, I interpret this to mean that Borongoru, with its lower DMH and methysticin levels may be just what I need to stay safe with Kava while still being able to take my prozac and wellbutrin? I have an appointment with my p-doc next week and I'm not sure if I should talk to them about this. I know they also don't like me taking the benzo but I have bad anxiety nearly daily and they have not been able to offer me an alternative.
Sorry for the rambling post. Any thoughts on the safety of kava with my meds is much appreciated. Please note that I would truly stop taking the benzo and drinking alcohol if kava is a viable and safe alternative. Thanks again!
I asked some newbie questions the other day and got some great replies. I have been on the fence about whether I want to continue trying Kava. I had a few shells this evening of the pouni ono i got from kwk and i feel good. This is my third time drinking it and it seems to get better each time. I did have to keep sipping on it to feel the effects but I am pretty interested in trying a more 'heavy' type like Borongoru (which is also advertised as having "...DHM and Methysticin in low quantities". Read on to see why I am bringing this up). As mentioned in the other thread, I'm trying to find a replacement for my prescribed benzodiazepine and (basically daily) drinking habit.
I failed to mention that I also take an SSRI (prozac) and wellbutrin daily in the AM. I know I shouldn't even be drinking on these but I've been drinking while taking some form of anti-depressant for many years now which I'm sure is probably killing me. Browsing the forums I found some mixed info on the combinations of these types of prescription medications and Kava. In general it seems that wellbutrin and prozac are metabolized by some of the liver enzymes that a few of the major kavalactones can inhibit (http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/30/11/1153.long). The last line of this paper says "The authors suggest that fractionation or commercial development of cultivars containing lesser amounts of methysticin and 7,8-dihydromethysticin, and higher kawain content, could alleviate drug interactions associated with this herb, while preserving many of its beneficial properties." So, I interpret this to mean that Borongoru, with its lower DMH and methysticin levels may be just what I need to stay safe with Kava while still being able to take my prozac and wellbutrin? I have an appointment with my p-doc next week and I'm not sure if I should talk to them about this. I know they also don't like me taking the benzo but I have bad anxiety nearly daily and they have not been able to offer me an alternative.
Sorry for the rambling post. Any thoughts on the safety of kava with my meds is much appreciated. Please note that I would truly stop taking the benzo and drinking alcohol if kava is a viable and safe alternative. Thanks again!
