Kava sucks

[kl.Anthony]

I don't know if the people giving reviews on here are high on LSD or what but after having no effects on tonga and just finishing my 6th bowl of stone with no effect, I am officially giving up. Waste of money and time. I see absolutely no benefit of kava what-so-ever. Think it's all in the head.

 

[starsofclay]

definately don't waste your money on something if you don't like it

do you have some leftover? i'd take it off your hands for a little cash

 

[Vekta]

How are you preparing it Anthony...



And what do you expect out of it...

 

[kl.Anthony]

Starsofclay, unfortunately I used it all up trying different methods and strengths to try and get an effect. I only had 500g between the tonga and stone.



Vekta, I used 4 heaping tablespoons per 2 cups of water, I tried it with 1/4 cup per 2 cups water. I tried squeezing by hand with and without lecithin. I tried blending with and without lecithin. I tried different amounts of kava per cup of water. i had no effect. I can't imagine where everyone gets the relaxed, heavy body, heavy eyes, stumbling cause I had too much feeling. If I have to use more than I have already tried to get some effect, then it's not worth the money in my opinion.

 

[kavalover]

Well more for us I guess, but I assure you, we are not all here due to it being "all in the head"



I haven't followed any of your previous posts so I apologize in advance if you've already discussed this, but how long have have you been consuming kava? There is of course the unique reverse tolerance effect to take into consideration. I know people who have needed to take less-than-worthy 5 dollar kava supplements for a few weeks, just to get the kava in their system. In some cases I've personally observed this effct to last up to three weeks until initial effects were actually felt from the kava. Of course, she was using kona kava so, we migth have our answer on that one. Either way, this is something to consider.



Another issue could be your dose, being new to kava some people require more of it to reach an effect. I agree this can be very expensive in the beginning. I went though many half pounds from N@H when I was first getting into kava, and believe me I felt like giving up. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Eventually, though, I broke through and found out. You just need to remember that kava is not very heavy at first, even in general it is something that kava consumers have simply learned to "listen to" and understand.



I admire the effort you put into this either way, and hey, kava might not be for you and I can understand your frustration. However kava most definitely does not suck, and those who respect it enough to give it their all usually end up with nothing but extremely positive results. If you give up now, I guess that's on you but that doesn't mean kava is a waste in any way, shape, or form.

 

[kl.Anthony]

Well more for us I guess, but I assure you, we are not all here due to it being "all in the head"



I haven't followed any of your previous posts so I apologize in advance if you've already discussed this, but how long have have you been consuming kava? There is of course the unique reverse tolerance effect to take into consideration. I know people who have needed to take less-than-worthy 5 dollar kava supplements for a few weeks, just to get the kava in their system. In some cases I've personally observed this effct to last up to three weeks until initial effects were actually felt from the kava. Of course, she was using kona kava so, we migth have our answer on that one. Either way, this is something to consider.



Another issue could be your dose, being new to kava some people require more of it to reach an effect. I agree this can be very expensive in the beginning. I went though many half pounds from N@H when I was first getting into kava, and believe me I felt like giving up. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Eventually, though, I broke through and found out. You just need to remember that kava is not very heavy at first, even in general it is something that kava consumers have simply learned to "listen to" and understand.



I admire the effort you put into this either way, and hey, kava might not be for you and I can understand your frustration. However kava most definitely does not suck, and those who respect it enough to give it their all usually end up with nothing but extremely positive results. If you give up now, I guess that's on you but that doesn't mean kava is a waste in any way, shape, or form.

Well thanks for the input. The kava pills doesn't seem like a bad idea. I guess I will try that as a last resort before completely giving up. What kava supplement is considered to be real good?

By the way, how long can you stop consuming kava without having to "start over" on this "kava loading" when you do start again?

 

[kl.rcoz]

For the past 6 or so months, I have been disappointment with the lack of effects. I'm wondering if it's a quality issue or what? It's getting too expensive for me.



For instance,

Stone used to cause temporary double visions and sound distortion, now it never gets like that. And the feeling 'really' good head space, isn't there anymore.



The new van3, first session was almost as good as the old van3, but each session after, wasn't working the same.





Since we are not in the 'know', we have no idea the quality of the shipments or even if there is a season to look for, maybe there are particular months that are better??? What about the various customs? Some cultures, drinking is in silence, low lights others are the opposite....



The various methods of prep, root to water ratio .... it's nuts.



It would be a real shame if we are getting low grade kava at these prices.

 

[kl.rcoz]

instead of pills/supplements, I'm wondering if 2 teaspoons a day for a week or so of a good instant Vanuatu kava would be better?

 

[kl.SrNdrurpie]

I know for me after I go a while without kava for maybe a month and then I have it again, the effects never feel as strong as they did prior to that. However a couple nights in I feel the effects fully once again. So what I've been doing is picking up some yogi tea,(you can get it in your local vitamin/health store) and drinking two cups of it a day for about a week before I have my kava session. It wont get you krunked like dry root by any means,you might not even feel any effects other than a slight calming, but I've found it to be a very cost effective way to build up that reverse tolerance again so I get the most out of my kava. So that could be another thing you try if you plan on purchasing any more root.

 

[kavalover]

What kava supplement is considered to be real good?

I really like rcoz's idea on using instant kava for the reverse tolerance effect. If you find that too expensive, I know a friend of mine really likes the gia herbs brand name kava capsules. I don't really like capsules or extracts personally but whatever route you take make sure it is an aqueous extract. Stay away from the acetone or ethanol extracts. Just my rule of thumb

By the way, how long can you stop consuming kava without having to "start over" on this "kava loading" when you do start again?

No idea. The longest I've ever gone without kava since I first started was five months. I had two shells of stone if I can remember correctly, and it blew me away like it did five months before.

It's interesting reading all of your reports recently though, as I myself have not noticed a decline in effects at all. I mean, I have noted differences in effects varying session after session, to where the effects are almost randomly surprising. But I've just accepted that as coming with the kava territory.

It would be a real shame if we are getting low grade kava at these prices.

Imagine drinking some of this stuff lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjAzoJctSwc

 

[Vekta]

In my very small study I found that most people had a very mild, middle of the road experience. It was a very small sample and not really statistically significant but each category was very clearly defined within the small number of people that volunteered details of there experience.



People fell into one of three categories: Full Effect (FE) Better sleep/wellbeing (BSW) or No Effect (NE)



Many of them, specially the older participants said it was the best night's sleep they've had in years. That was the most common response. There were a small number of people that felt great(read- really freakin good). In fact one acquaintance of mine handed me $40 right then and there so I could order her a 1 lb bag of kava. Then there were a small number of people that felt absolutely nothing.



You seem to be in that unfortunate group of "Ne"s. (no effect) It's not that kava doesn't work...it just doesn't work on you. Welp, no harm except your wallet, hehe.