Kava Fact of the Day Kava Misinformation.

[The Kap'n]

Kava Misinformation.

Well, I’m back, Kavasseurs. Sorry it's so late today. I had to catch up for the last 2 days at work. Turns out I had a touch of pleurisy (sounds like something you’d get in the 14th century) but I’m back and better and able to breathe, so my apologies for the delay in the FOTD. Nature decided I was taking a break.

Today we’re going to go for something a little different. We’re going to begin looking deeper into claims of harm related to kava consumption.

Here’s a sample of some claims of harm from the website betterhealth.vic.gov.au [1] which looks to be an official outlet for information, given the .gov address. The following is what they claim are side effects from continued kava consumption coupled with my response to that claim:

• breathing difficulties NO

The source being used to make this claim refers to this NOT being correlated with kava usage [2].

• visual changes, including sensitivity to light (photophobia) YES

This is likely true, and has been shown in a study dated 1985 [3].

• slight alterations to blood cells, including white and red blood cells, and platelets PARTLY TRUE

When they say “slight” here they really mean it. A study was ran on rats and kavalactone extracts. They found slight changes to rats given an outrageous dose of 2000mg/kg. This would be similar to a human somehow managing to consume 158 grams of kavalactones per day. A few hematological numbers were off balance in this study, however platelets were not significantly altered even at this staggering amount per kg [2].

• liver damage NO

This is referring to increased GGT/ALP numbers and these do not indicate liver damage. Liver damage is indicated by a doubling of AST/ALT number, and GGT/ALP are only used as indicators when the AST/ALT numbers are off.[4]

• compromised immune function NO

The nearest I can find in research regarding this effect is on lymphocytes, and this was from one paper where an individual received liver damage by taking 210-280mg of Laitain in the year 2001 [5], which was likely part of the contaminated batch that caused the liver issues during that time.

• kidney damage NO

“The present results support the previous findings indicating the safety of kava to the liver (Sorrentino et al., 2006; Lim et al., 2007). The increase in serum urea level, in the present results, was expected due to the increase in total protein level. Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. It is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where they filter most of the Creatinine and dispose it in the urine. As the kidneys become impaired, the Creatinine level in the blood will rise. Thus the measurement of serum Creatinine level has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Therefore, the concomitant highly significant decrease in Creatinine level, in the present data, suggests that there may be no adverse effect on kidney function.” [6]

• contact dermatitis – causing scaly, flaky rash on the skin YES

This is one effect that is well known among long term kava drinkers.

• appetite loss, leading to malnutrition and weight loss YES, but Indirect

This is an indirect effect of kava due to meal planning and reduction of meal sizes, not to mention a belly full of liquid would cause you to eat less. Be that as it may, long term heavy kava users average a 19-21 BMI, so while this effect does happen, it’s indirect, as the kava isn’t making you lose weight.

• loss of drive and motivation NO - Political

This is purely political. Video games can cause loss of drive and motivation as well as any other activity which draws time away from obligations. It’s a disappointment that this phrase is even used at all. To me, the phrase itself is lazy. Could there be other factors involved with a community of kava drinkers, disenfranchised from opportunities in the modern world due to being termed “savages?”. So many variables exist that could accompany this that pinning it on kava is simply irresponsible.

• worsened symptoms of pre-existing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. NO

No, this is purely misinformation, in fact kava has been shown to decrease instances of mental illness due to its regulatory effects on several important neurotransmitters [7]. This has been physically observed by researchers over the years watching kava drinkers in Arnem Land [8].

So, kava lovers, as you can see kava health claims aren’t all they’re stacked up to be. It’s about time we started addressing this plant for the reality in which it resides. It’s painfully obvious that these attempts to demonize kava were born from those with little understanding of kava.





[1] “Kava.” n.d. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/kava.

[2] Mathews, J. D., M. D. Riley, L. Fejo, E. Munoz, N. R. Milns, I. D. Gardner, J. R. Powers, E. Ganygulpa, and B. J. Gununuwawuy. 1988. “Effects of the Heavy Usage of Kava on Physical Health: Summary of a Pilot Survey in an Aboriginal Community.” The Medical Journal of Australia 148 (11): 548–55. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb93809.x.

[3] Garner, L. F., and J. D. Klinger. 1985. “Some Visual Effects Caused by the Beverage Kava.” Ethnopharmacol. 13 (3): 307–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(85)90076-5.

[4] Clough, Alan R., Ross S. Bailie, and Bart Currie. 2003. “Liver Function Test Abnormalities in Users of Aqueous Kava Extracts.” Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology 41 (6): 821–29. https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-120025347.

[5] Escher, M., J. Desmeules, E. Giostra, and G. Mentha. 2001. “Hepatitis Associated with Kava, a Herbal Remedy for Anxiety.” BMJ 322 (7279): 139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7279.139.

[6] Noor, Neveen A. 2010. “Anxiolytic Action and Safety of Kava: Effect on Rat Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Some Serum Biochemical Parameters.” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 4 (11): 823–28. http://dx.doi.org/.

[7] Krum, Bárbara Nunes, Catiuscia Molz de Freitas, Ana Paula Chiapinotto Ceretta, Caroline Pilecco Barbosa, Elizete de Moraes Reis, Rahisa Scussel, Emily da Silva Córneo, Ricardo Andrez Machado-de-Ávila, Aline Augusti Boligon, and Roselei Fachinetto. 2021. “Kava Decreases the Stereotyped Behavior Induced by Amphetamine in Mice.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 265 (January): 113293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113293.

[8] Cawte, John. 1986. “Parameters of Kava Used as a Challenge to Alcohol.” The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 20 (1): 70–76. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048678609158867.

 

[Kavaloloko]

Kava Misinformation.

Well, I’m back, Kavasseurs. Sorry it's so late today. I had to catch up for the last 2 days at work. Turns out I had a touch of pleurisy (sounds like something you’d get in the 14th century) but I’m back and better and able to breathe, so my apologies for the delay in the FOTD. Nature decided I was taking a break.

Today we’re going to go for something a little different. We’re going to begin looking deeper into claims of harm related to kava consumption.

Here’s a sample of some claims of harm from the website betterhealth.vic.gov.au [1] which looks to be an official outlet for information, given the .gov address. The following is what they claim are side effects from continued kava consumption coupled with my response to that claim:

• breathing difficulties NO

The source being used to make this claim refers to this NOT being correlated with kava usage [2].

• visual changes, including sensitivity to light (photophobia) YES

This is likely true, and has been shown in a study dated 1985 [3].

• slight alterations to blood cells, including white and red blood cells, and platelets PARTLY TRUE

When they say “slight” here they really mean it. A study was ran on rats and kavalactone extracts. They found slight changes to rats given an outrageous dose of 2000mg/kg. This would be similar to a human somehow managing to consume 158 grams of kavalactones per day. A few hematological numbers were off balance in this study, however platelets were not significantly altered even at this staggering amount per kg [4].

• liver damage NO

This is referring to increased GGT/ALP numbers and these do not indicate liver damage. Liver damage is indicated by a doubling of AST/ALT number, and GGT/ALP are only used as indicators when the AST/ALT numbers are off.[5]

• compromised immune function NO

The nearest I can find in research regarding this effect is on lymphocytes, and this was from one paper where an individual received liver damage by taking 210-280mg of Laitain in the year 2001 [6], which was likely part of the contaminated batch that caused the liver issues during that time.

• kidney damage NO

“The present results support the previous findings indicating the safety of kava to the liver (Sorrentino et al., 2006; Lim et al., 2007). The increase in serum urea level, in the present results, was expected due to the increase in total protein level. Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. It is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where they filter most of the Creatinine and dispose it in the urine. As the kidneys become impaired, the Creatinine level in the blood will rise. Thus the measurement of serum Creatinine level has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Therefore, the concomitant highly significant decrease in Creatinine level, in the present data, suggests that there may be no adverse effect on kidney function.” [7]

• contact dermatitis – causing scaly, flaky rash on the skin YES

This is one effect that is well known among long term kava drinkers.

• appetite loss, leading to malnutrition and weight loss YES, but Indirect

This is an indirect effect of kava due to meal planning and reduction of meal sizes, not to mention a belly full of liquid would cause you to eat less. Be that as it may, long term heavy kava users average a 19-21 BMI, so while this effect does happen, it’s indirect, as the kava isn’t making you lose weight.

• loss of drive and motivation NO - Political

This is purely political. Video games can cause loss of drive and motivation as well as any other activity which draws time away from obligations. It’s a disappointment that this phrase is even used at all. To me, the phrase itself is lazy. Could there be other factors involved with a community of kava drinkers, disenfranchised from opportunities in the modern world due to being termed “savages?”. So many variables exist that could accompany this that pinning it on kava is simply irresponsible.

• worsened symptoms of pre-existing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. NO

No, this is purely misinformation, in fact kava has been shown to decrease instances of mental illness due to its regulatory effects on several important neurotransmitters [8]. This has been physically observed by researchers over the years watching kava drinkers in Arnem Land [9].

So, kava lovers, as you can see kava health claims aren’t all they’re stacked up to be. It’s about time we started addressing this plant for the reality in which it resides. It’s painfully obvious that these attempts to demonize kava were born from those with little understanding of kava.





[1] “Kava.” n.d. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/kava.

[2] Mathews, J. D., M. D. Riley, L. Fejo, E. Munoz, N. R. Milns, I. D. Gardner, J. R. Powers, E. Ganygulpa, and B. J. Gununuwawuy. 1988. “Effects of the Heavy Usage of Kava on Physical Health: Summary of a Pilot Survey in an Aboriginal Community.” The Medical Journal of Australia 148 (11): 548–55. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb93809.x.

[3] Garner, L. F., and J. D. Klinger. 1985. “Some Visual Effects Caused by the Beverage Kava.” Ethnopharmacol. 13 (3): 307–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(85)90076-5.

[4] Mathews, J. D., M. D. Riley, L. Fejo, E. Munoz, N. R. Milns, I. D. Gardner, J. R. Powers, E. Ganygulpa, and B. J. Gununuwawuy. 1988. “Effects of the Heavy Usage of Kava on Physical Health: Summary of a Pilot Survey in an Aboriginal Community.” The Medical Journal of Australia 148 (11): 548–55. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb93809.x.

[5] Clough, Alan R., Ross S. Bailie, and Bart Currie. 2003. “Liver Function Test Abnormalities in Users of Aqueous Kava Extracts.” Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology 41 (6): 821–29. https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-120025347.

[6] Escher, M., J. Desmeules, E. Giostra, and G. Mentha. 2001. “Hepatitis Associated with Kava, a Herbal Remedy for Anxiety.” BMJ 322 (7279): 139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7279.139.

[7] Noor, Neveen A. 2010. “Anxiolytic Action and Safety of Kava: Effect on Rat Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Some Serum Biochemical Parameters.” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 4 (11): 823–28. http://dx.doi.org/.

[8] Krum, Bárbara Nunes, Catiuscia Molz de Freitas, Ana Paula Chiapinotto Ceretta, Caroline Pilecco Barbosa, Elizete de Moraes Reis, Rahisa Scussel, Emily da Silva Córneo, Ricardo Andrez Machado-de-Ávila, Aline Augusti Boligon, and Roselei Fachinetto. 2021. “Kava Decreases the Stereotyped Behavior Induced by Amphetamine in Mice.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 265 (January): 113293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113293.

[9] Cawte, John. 1986. “Parameters of Kava Used as a Challenge to Alcohol.” The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 20 (1): 70–76. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048678609158867.

Glad your better! Stay healthy JP!

 

[Alia]

Kava Misinformation.

Well, I’m back, Kavasseurs. Sorry it's so late today. I had to catch up for the last 2 days at work. Turns out I had a touch of pleurisy (sounds like something you’d get in the 14th century) but I’m back and better and able to breathe, so my apologies for the delay in the FOTD. Nature decided I was taking a break.

Today we’re going to go for something a little different. We’re going to begin looking deeper into claims of harm related to kava consumption.

Here’s a sample of some claims of harm from the website betterhealth.vic.gov.au [1] which looks to be an official outlet for information, given the .gov address. The following is what they claim are side effects from continued kava consumption coupled with my response to that claim:

• breathing difficulties NO

The source being used to make this claim refers to this NOT being correlated with kava usage [2].

• visual changes, including sensitivity to light (photophobia) YES

This is likely true, and has been shown in a study dated 1985 [3].

• slight alterations to blood cells, including white and red blood cells, and platelets PARTLY TRUE

When they say “slight” here they really mean it. A study was ran on rats and kavalactone extracts. They found slight changes to rats given an outrageous dose of 2000mg/kg. This would be similar to a human somehow managing to consume 158 grams of kavalactones per day. A few hematological numbers were off balance in this study, however platelets were not significantly altered even at this staggering amount per kg [2].

• liver damage NO

This is referring to increased GGT/ALP numbers and these do not indicate liver damage. Liver damage is indicated by a doubling of AST/ALT number, and GGT/ALP are only used as indicators when the AST/ALT numbers are off.[4]

• compromised immune function NO

The nearest I can find in research regarding this effect is on lymphocytes, and this was from one paper where an individual received liver damage by taking 210-280mg of Laitain in the year 2001 [5], which was likely part of the contaminated batch that caused the liver issues during that time.

• kidney damage NO

“The present results support the previous findings indicating the safety of kava to the liver (Sorrentino et al., 2006; Lim et al., 2007). The increase in serum urea level, in the present results, was expected due to the increase in total protein level. Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. It is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where they filter most of the Creatinine and dispose it in the urine. As the kidneys become impaired, the Creatinine level in the blood will rise. Thus the measurement of serum Creatinine level has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Therefore, the concomitant highly significant decrease in Creatinine level, in the present data, suggests that there may be no adverse effect on kidney function.” [6]

• contact dermatitis – causing scaly, flaky rash on the skin YES

This is one effect that is well known among long term kava drinkers.

• appetite loss, leading to malnutrition and weight loss YES, but Indirect

This is an indirect effect of kava due to meal planning and reduction of meal sizes, not to mention a belly full of liquid would cause you to eat less. Be that as it may, long term heavy kava users average a 19-21 BMI, so while this effect does happen, it’s indirect, as the kava isn’t making you lose weight.

• loss of drive and motivation NO - Political

This is purely political. Video games can cause loss of drive and motivation as well as any other activity which draws time away from obligations. It’s a disappointment that this phrase is even used at all. To me, the phrase itself is lazy. Could there be other factors involved with a community of kava drinkers, disenfranchised from opportunities in the modern world due to being termed “savages?”. So many variables exist that could accompany this that pinning it on kava is simply irresponsible.

• worsened symptoms of pre-existing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. NO

No, this is purely misinformation, in fact kava has been shown to decrease instances of mental illness due to its regulatory effects on several important neurotransmitters [7]. This has been physically observed by researchers over the years watching kava drinkers in Arnem Land [8].

So, kava lovers, as you can see kava health claims aren’t all they’re stacked up to be. It’s about time we started addressing this plant for the reality in which it resides. It’s painfully obvious that these attempts to demonize kava were born from those with little understanding of kava.





[1] “Kava.” n.d. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/kava.

[2] Mathews, J. D., M. D. Riley, L. Fejo, E. Munoz, N. R. Milns, I. D. Gardner, J. R. Powers, E. Ganygulpa, and B. J. Gununuwawuy. 1988. “Effects of the Heavy Usage of Kava on Physical Health: Summary of a Pilot Survey in an Aboriginal Community.” The Medical Journal of Australia 148 (11): 548–55. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb93809.x.

[3] Garner, L. F., and J. D. Klinger. 1985. “Some Visual Effects Caused by the Beverage Kava.” Ethnopharmacol. 13 (3): 307–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(85)90076-5.

[4] Clough, Alan R., Ross S. Bailie, and Bart Currie. 2003. “Liver Function Test Abnormalities in Users of Aqueous Kava Extracts.” Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology 41 (6): 821–29. https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-120025347.

[5] Escher, M., J. Desmeules, E. Giostra, and G. Mentha. 2001. “Hepatitis Associated with Kava, a Herbal Remedy for Anxiety.” BMJ 322 (7279): 139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.322.7279.139.

[6] Noor, Neveen A. 2010. “Anxiolytic Action and Safety of Kava: Effect on Rat Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Some Serum Biochemical Parameters.” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 4 (11): 823–28. http://dx.doi.org/.

[7] Krum, Bárbara Nunes, Catiuscia Molz de Freitas, Ana Paula Chiapinotto Ceretta, Caroline Pilecco Barbosa, Elizete de Moraes Reis, Rahisa Scussel, Emily da Silva Córneo, Ricardo Andrez Machado-de-Ávila, Aline Augusti Boligon, and Roselei Fachinetto. 2021. “Kava Decreases the Stereotyped Behavior Induced by Amphetamine in Mice.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 265 (January): 113293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113293.

[8] Cawte, John. 1986. “Parameters of Kava Used as a Challenge to Alcohol.” The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 20 (1): 70–76. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048678609158867.

I missed this superlative "Fact-of the-Day" ! Until now, it is one of the best.
It's worth adding that in my experience quantity of kava beverage consumed * is more a
factor in-- contact dermatitis – (causing scaly, flaky rash on the skin)
than just " long term kava drinkers. "
*I, clearly, am a long term kava drinker but just a few 5 oz. cups per evening
and I do not get this condition unless I dramatically increase my consumption**.
** which used to happen during social/group kava drinking.

 

[Jacob Bula]

I missed this superlative "Fact-of the-Day" ! Until now, it is one of the best.
It's worth adding that in my experience quantity of kava beverage consumed * is more a
factor in-- contact dermatitis – (causing scaly, flaky rash on the skin)
than just " long term kava drinkers. "
*I, clearly, am a long term kava drinker but just a few 5 oz. cups per evening
and I do not get this condition unless I dramatically increase my consumption**.
** which used to happen during social/group kava drinking.

Exactly, I usually only get it when I'm consuming 10+tablespoons a day for a while ( like recently )

 

[nabanga]

Thats a good summary, thanks for posting. I think a couple of these claims may have a bit more truth to them than in the summary though - but only based on my personal experience of being a fairly "enthuisiastic" drinker for many years, no scientific claims:

Kidney damage - can happen due to long term persistent dehydration caused by kava (dark pee every day) - kidney stones, cysts etc. This did not happen to me but has happened to friends in Vanuatu who are not as careful to rehydrate during the daylight hours

Appetite loss - I feel this is direct. I never want to eat after or during a medium-heavy kava session (but appetite is fully returned in the morning). It is the kava that kills my appetite and stops me from eating dinner, not a planned thing. However it doesn't cause any malnutrition, as I just do all my eating between 7am and about 2pm.

Loss of drive and motivation - this is very real for me the day after a big session, and can be ongoing for weeks if I am having good sessions every evening. I find it more difficult to start working or get things done. However, this loss of drive lifts as soon as I cut back or have a day off.