Kava test, just for kicks

[Vekta]

Some of you may remember I have said before I use kava to help deal with social anxiety and disabling panic attacks that made it increasingly difficult to attend classes at college. For the most part college classrooms are a controlled environment. Kava has done a remarkable job here and my close friends have said I am much less defensive, more mellow and easier to talk to since I began using kava about a year ago.
I was asked to go "hang out" by a newer friend of mine a couple days ago.  I'm not a social butterfly nor do I really go places like malls,clubs or bars for obvious reasons. But I agreed to go this time. I thought I'd test my favorite kava in a social situation I'm not used to dealing with on a regular basis and post the results here just for kicks.
In this corner! The challenger in yellow and red shorts:Awkward social situation at the local Denny's with two friends and an unknown number of other individuals.
Vs.
And in this corner! The reigning champ in black and green shorts:Bula Kava House, Boroguru Kava

I will be paying close attention to my preparation this time to make sure it is brewed to as close to it's potential as possible using only "by hand" methods. No blender, no additives. 100% water and root. 
The ratio: 2 tbsp: 1-1/4 cup room temperature water. * As per the instructions on the bag I will pre-soak the root for 60 minutes.* Then I will massage and squeeze the root vigorously for 30 minutes by hand* It will not be strained further, what comes out of the strainer bag will remain in the water, stirred up until suspended in the water an consumed.
I am suppose to meet my friends at 7:00 or 8:00. I have no control over that aspect of the meeting. My plan is to consume the prepared kava after 5:00. Fight clean, no shots below the belt. *DING DING DING* Begin!

 

[Dan]

Excellent.  I too have found kava to be tremendously helpful for just this sort of situation, though I tend to down my brew as close to said occasion as possible. (Often just minutes beforehand.)

 

[Vekta]

Excellent.  I too have found kava to be tremendously helpful for just this sort of situation, though I tend to down my brew as close to said occasion as possible. (Often just minutes beforehand.)

I know what you mean. I used to drink kava 15 minutes before classes when I started. Now I can drink a couple shells of kava one day and be good all week. I'm drinking it a few hours early to see how long that "shielded" feeling hangs around after I drink it. I've held onto that feeling for up to 6 hours a few times. We'll see how this goes.

 

[kavalover]

Best of luck to ya Vekta!



I know kava has indeed helped me in college as well... I really am anti-social, people seem to just naturally wear me out. I like to be by myself, and when others are around, I'm just jittery. I've been great lately even when not using kava. It's helped me make friends and become comfortable around the idea of new people, to the point where I've almost shaped my personality in a way, with the help of kava. Truly a powerful help.



I'm with Dan though, I would always typically make/down my kava directly before the dreaded moment of social interaction.

 

[Vekta]

I'll say this thought Kavalover, using my normal "by hand" only prep method and the instructions on the back of the BKH bag this looks like some seriously thick and wicked brew in the light. I don't think the camera I have can capture it. All those kava oils and resins floating on the water look like a crude oil spill! 
Like this only in brown kava water...

And this is from a bag of kava that's been sitting in my house for around a couple months. (smiley: eek)

**UPDATE**
Well it's about 10:15 PM. 
First of all, it was a good thing I drank the bowl of kava 2 hours before my friends picked me up. I would have been comatose in the back seat of there car, staring at the ceiling had they picked me up 15 minutes after consumption.(smiley: laugh) 
The prep time for this brew was more than double the time I normally spend on prep for Boroguru kava. There is a lot of potential locked up in this root. It takes some work to release but it's worth it. Now I really know what Boroguru is capable of. It's even more so my favorite kava thus far. My entire body felt as though it was resonating like a crystal wine glass for the first 15 minutes. Then gravity laid me out in my chair before sending a supercharged thought through my mind and bringing everything into sharp focus.
As for the night out...
Their were a total of 9 people in the group. We also sat for about an hour in the cafe at the local mall. You can imagine what the mall was like during spring break for our local colleges. Throughout the entire night I was completely unaware and totally insulated with regard to the social situation I was in. Boroguru started strong and stayed completely solid throughout the entire night. In fact my "shields" are still up right now. 

Winner and still champ via Techincal Krunk Out....
Bula Kava House, Boroguru kava!

 

[kl.midas]

I suffer with social anxiety too which is what led me to find Kava in the 1st place. I'd be interested how you rank the various kavas you've tried in terms of their anxiolytic effects.

 

[Vekta]

That's not a bad idea Midas. It might take a while but kava is what we're here for.

 

[kl.jjs6067]

I usually just take kava to relax after a stressing day, but recently I've been reflecting on the fact that I am quite social when 1-on-1 and in small groups. However, in medium-large groups, such as my staff meetings, I just can never seem to voice my opinion. In fact, I had one a couple hours ago and I just didn't find anything to contribute to the conversation. It's so annoying because I want to be able to contribute so bad, but it's like my subconscious wont let me. I'm friends with the majority of the staff, but for some reason when everyone comes together for a meeting, I become this passive introverted guy who doesn't have anything to add to conversation. Has anyone tried kava in a situation like this? Would it be helpful to take kava before a staff meeting so that I may be better able to talk more during the meetings?

 

[kavalover]

I'll say this thought Kavalover, using my normal "by hand" only prep
method and the instructions on the back of the BKH bag this looks like
some seriously thick and wicked brew in the light. I don't think the
camera I have can capture it. All those kava oils and resins floating on
the water look like a crude oil spill! 
Like this only in brown kava water...

I know what you mean, Boroguru gives and gives like there's no tomorrow. lol, mix the boroguru with isa/tudei from KBR and you'll be squeezing and kneading that stuff for hours it seems....

and jjs6067 I'd say give it a shot, kava has done wonders for me and my social inabilities. Just make sure to know your dose, and start off lightly... last thing you want is to be slurring your words in front of everyone... I can speak from experience there lol.. With the proper dosage, kava can be absolutely therapeutic with little noticeable recreational value. Just a half shell of moderately strong kava (this varies from individual to individual of course..) will produce a nice stimulating, talkative vibe. Social inhibitions are lightened but not completely removed, so I can expand my comfort zone without going overboard like with alcohol.

 

[Vekta]

I did that once... 
Emphasis on once. If there is such a thing as a bad trip from kava...that was it. Nooooo thanks.

 

[kl..]

Glad to hear it worked out for you!