@yiki I gain entheogenic value with Kava. It depends on the shell, and how rested I am, as well as other factors such as if I've ate and whether I'm home relaxing or at my job. You made an interesting statement that if I am getting entheogenic effects from kava then perhaps I'm inhibited throughout all of life, and kava temporarily peels that aside.
It's interesting to me, it's relate-able. I'm not admitting to daily inhibition, but I'm not denying it either, and wanted to add some experience of kava acting as an entheogen.
I've noticed kava is not serotonergic, so it doesn't make you see fractals, widen your pupils, or help you "download messages from the universe". like serotonergic entheogens often do. Times where I've had a shell and thought it felt reminiscent of a true entheogen include;
0 being out in the forest at night, starting a small fire, brewing and drinking a shell. Unique and inspiring.
0 having a shell or few with friends, watching shows on TV and playing video games, there is shifting, a before and after if you will, of degrees of perceptual-focus on the media versus the environment around me. I'm pretty balanced in this area, I feel equally balanced after several shells. As I watch the show or play the game I'll notice myself perk up a little bit. And with video games I laugh and laugh and laugh, all the way up to bed time.
0 having kava on a full moon feels appropriate, the moon feels so attractive after a shell that I visualize myself and my connection to the moon strengthening.
also, kava's reliable aphrodesiac effects. Without sharing too much detail, it's more effective at increasing bloodflow than all of the silly supplements and drugs that are selected for this task. I'd rather have a woody shell of kava than a CBD-infused eggnog or two capsules each of ginseng and horny goat weed any day. Kava doesn't really rouse the mood, it simply increases bloodflow, for me, enough to *make the difference*. If you enjoyed this section of my post, make yourself a Damiana smoothie, with either chocolate or blueberries.
I have noteworthy relations to entheogenic personality in my experiences with kava. While the true meaning of entheogenic, for me, means "Plant teacher", and the word "adaptogen" would mean a plant or its root/seed/oil/flower/ aids the body in maintaining homeostasis and oxidation recovery. There is a sacred value to kava and it is likely that the effects desired require commitment, which, like any commitment, comes with lifestyle changes. If we are prepared to make the changes in our lifestyle, we may notice more of kava's healing and listening nature.
Would you say that I'm describing an entheogen plant or does it sound more like I'm inhibited and the ritual soothes me? Thank you for your time, Bul