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Devin

Newbie
What's up folks, just thought I'd stop by and introduce myself. It must be the kava talking, because generally I don't care to partake in forums these days, apart from reading them. Anyways, I began using kava in pill form a while back with no luck. Obtained some tea bags from a GNC store, which also didn't do anything. I then ordered some instant along with some powdered root from amazon... again with no effect. However, after reading around I was determined to experience this root and was convinced that there had to be some truth to its psychoactive properties. I purchased some WOW, made 3 tbsp worth mixed with a little bit of milk and soy lecithin, and WOW... I was completely blown away. I've been enjoying this stuff quite a bit, apart from the taste. However, having a past history of drug addiction/alcoholism I honestly feel like this is more of a medicine as opposed to a substance of abuse, and I don't have any desire to abuse it. I find the taste appalling and the process of making it rather annoying, however 3 tbsp worth a day completely rids me of any desire to drink alcohol, and if I do it's usually no more than one or two beers long after the kava has worn off (which is crazy if you knew how much I generally drank before I started taking kava). I look forward to discovering how kava can help me in other ways. I would like to use it in the mornings, because I have found it certainly elevates my mood and alleviates my minor anxieties, it's just sometimes when I take it (like right now) I'm feeling so heavy and almost dizzy, I couldn't see myself doing my daily tasks after drinking this kava. Perhaps in the mornings I can take a lower dose. Anyways I'm just rambling, that's one of the first things I noticed with kava, I became extremely talkative. Anyways, I look forward to reading around and learning a thing or two. My only complaint is it's rather expensive and I've gone through my supply relatively fast. I also have stone kava, but I prefer the WOW so far.
 
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Steve Mariotti

Kavapithecus Krunkarensis
Review Maestro
Welcome Devin! Nice to meet you, and what a great writeup/intro!

I can tell you that you've definitely come to the right place and it sounds like you've overcome your reverse-tolerance already based on your experience with N@H's Wow. That being the case, you're in for a quite a treat. The kava enthusiasts on this forum can help direct you to the most effective and cost-effective kava preparations for you.

I find kava to not only be a substitute for alcohol, but an superior experience that supplants it completely. I want to refer you to a thread I started a few weeks ago and what my experience was around my friends who still avidly drink. I think one of that hardest things about dealing with addiction is the sea-change you need among your friendships and how how maintaining current friendships is without backsliding into dangerous territory. Kava has been a tremendously useful social spackle for me in that regard:

http://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/i-see-drunk-people.4433/

Again, welcome! And really glad to have you here!
 

HeadHodge

Bula To Eternity
Welcome Devin.
Wow and Stone are fairly heavy, so probably not the best for daytime use. Check out the reviews and look for ones that are more "Heady". Those would usually be good daytime kava's. Then save the Wow/Stone for evening time. ::happyshell::
 

Roaddog

Kava Who?
Welcome Devin.
Wow and Stone are fairly heavy, so probably not the best for daytime use. Check out the reviews and look for ones that are more "Heady". Those would usually be good daytime kava's. Then save the Wow/Stone for evening time. ::happyshell::
Yes, I agree with what he said and with what @Steve Mariotti said. Awesome advice. I personally go to Mahakea, from GHK, for my headier kavas. I too am a suffering drug addict. Im struggling with it, as we speak. But, I am clean. I must say, Kava is my go to, Ass saver, when it comes to addiction. See it is my thoughts, that drug addiction, and alcoholism, are simply reward systems, gone bad. Let me give you an example. I work all day, and at the end of the day, I have a few drinks. Well the work, is my work, and the reward, is my beers. See what I mean? Ok. I find Kava is great, to give me that reward, with out the addiction. Now Its, I work all day, and at the end of the day, I have a few Kavas. See how much better that is. So with that, I would say, You found the right place. Also I would Like to be the second person to say wellcome.jpg to the Kava Forums. Much Love Roaddog....
 

Mesh

Kava Curious
Welcome Devin! I'm glad Kava is working for you. Although the expense is high, I feel that Kava is definitely worth it. ::happyshell:: And just to add on about the reward system, I've read that it plays a major role in whether people are introverts, extraverts, talkative/not so talkative. Which would from my understanding, explain why some kavas make people want to converse with others.
 
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D

Deleted User01

@Devin, welcome to the forum. ::awesomesmiles:: When I look at my kava budget and compare it to my previous alcohol budget, it turns out the same. By the way, I don't drink cheap booze. As time progresses, I am able to reduce my daily intake of kava but I still get good results. You can save the being Krunked for the weekend and just ride the pleasant wave of mellowness that a lower dose will provide. For many of us, being in our 5 senses at night is a new experience but I can assure you it feels good and you get stuff done and sleep like a newborn. I think the members can also help you find products that may be more cost effective for you.
 

Devin

Newbie
I've been using it in the mornings in very low doses, The effects are subtle and fleeting. Class was canceled today due to snow, so I made a stronger batch than usual and finished off my bag of WOW. I'm beginning to find the taste more manageable. It originally made me gag haha. I'm generally introverted, and borderline apathetic, possibly due to a mild case of depression, but the Kava has certainly been a godsend. I look forward to browsing around for more to try, particularly stuff for socializing and anxiety. The only issue I seem to have with the Kava is just the duration, it seems to wear off too quickly for me... well the pleasant effects wear off, the muscle relaxation generally lasts for some while, at least for me. I'm sure I have much to learn though, and that's why I'm here. Thanks for the warm welcome
 

50ShadesOfKava

Official Kava Muppet
With each brand / strain providing such a kalidescope of experiences, the more you try, the more you'll find which ones are best suited to you. Fortionatley the journey is fairly scenic.
 

Devin

Newbie
So I just received some moi kava, I've been using 4 tablespoons strained in one cup of water with 1 tablespoon of soy lecithin added. I usually drink this in one swig. I've got to say I'm really developing a love/hate relationship with this root. The addictive behavior in me wants me to abuse it because I LOVE the initial feeling, however, it's just not something that can be abused, at least for me... and that's partially why I like it so much. Frankly, I used to get nausea from it, which doesn't seem to happen anymore (that only occured with kona kava which never did anything for me besides make me sick.) But I've found lately I get some nasty diarrhea even days after drinking, and the strongest smelling flatulence I have ever encountered in my 22 years of living. I still have much to learn in the ways of drinking/preparing kava, it's almost like I want to abuse it because the feeling is awesome, but the nature of the root just will not allow it, and for that I'm thankful, but I'm hoping I can figure out a way to bypass some of the uncomfortable side effects. I will probably search around on these forums for some knowledge, so far I've just been checking in here as soon as I can feel the kava lift my anxieties and mood, but I know there is more to offer here if I just did some searching! I think next time I will prepare more at one time and figure out a way to store the left overs, drinking shells over a period of time like most people seem to do. The way I've been doing it, I get 30 minutes of bliss, a straight up head rush, and this subsides and then I'm just left feeling tired and although not nauseated, my appetite seems to subside quite a bit, which is a shame because I drink it on an empty stomach, and then it's like I have to force any food down later in the day. Interesting. Peculiar. Overall I'm glad I've discovered it
 
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