Long time lurker, Feel like it's about time to introduce myself.

[LilGrimm]

Hi guys I've been a lurker and kava user for about 3 years. I've been with you guys since the old forums and think it's time to come out of hiding. I, like I'm sure many of you found out about kava by trying to find alternatives to the medicines we have available to us by big pharma. I suffer from General anxiety, social anxiety(which is now almost non existent thanks to kava) and insomnia as well as ocd(have not found a strain that helps with that unfortunately). In the begining I was suckered into buying a lb of kona kava(top search result when kava is typed in Google) as I had yet to do much research or find the old forum. I used kona kava to little avail but I knew about the reverse tolerance so I kept at it and eventually got very very minimal effects. I then found the old forum and read many other people's similiar experience with kona. At that point I did some reading and went to kava by Rex and got there (at the time) very potent Vanuatu3, which was a huge step up and helped me with the stress and anxiety from starting my new job, also the cheap price point was very appealing. (I hear his stuff is not so good now though). Anyway I eventually found my favorite vendor, Bula kava house and all is well. I combine his boroguru with a little valerian root and that calms me down into a nice place before bed. I would love to hear if anybody else combines there kava with different (legal) herbs, as I'm always open to new ideas. I hope you guys will treat me as an old friend you haven't seen in a while or just a great new one, as I plan to become more active on the forums. Thanks for reading and for providing me with all the good info these past couple years.

 

[The Kap'n]

Welcome! If you've been lurking since the old forum days then you're one seasoned kavasseur. I look forward to what you share with us.

Glad to have you with us!

 

[Deleted User01]

Welcome to the Forum ... officially!

 

[Steve Mariotti]

Welcome Grimm!

I haven't tried combining kava with anything except cups of herbal tea before bed. For that, my go-to's are Yogi Teas varieties Kava Stress Relief, Bedtime, and Egyptian Licorice, depending on whether I want a soft landing, to be knocked out or tummy help, respectively.

Personally I find valerian root to be knock out drops and use it very sparingly, and it's in the Bedtime tea I mentioned. Beyond that, I don't have much advice.

One thing I do know is that ocd symptoms are lessened at high levels of seratonin reuptake inhibition, so there may be some seratonin channel herbals that could be useful to you.

Again, Welcome!

 

[Sean D.]

Howdy! BKH has a good instant as well. Regards.

 

[HeadHodge]

Welcome zonie!!! As your neighbor in San Diego, I hope to see you on the beach this summer when things start cooking over there.

 

[50ShadesOfKava]

I usually take multivitamins since Im sure I piss out a good variety through kava's diuretic affects. I also take ~2 Calcium Zink Magnezium tabs since they naturally help with muscles and restless legs. Potassium also helps. "Thiamine Serene" also helps a little to take the edge off, along with a supplament called "calms Forte" which is largley chamomile tea and other goodies in pill form. Calms forte is the most relaxing thing I have found thats not kava. For additional sleep aiding, sometimes melatonin works. I have tried these ones called "Dream Release" as well, which do cause more dreaming, but Im pretty sure there is a mild stimulant in there so sometimes it interferes with getting to sleep. Im a pretty bad insomniac though, but kava is helping with that a lot. I've been cautious to mix too many additional things in with kava though as I dont want to run the risk of a mal reaction. I havent noticed any real benefits from lavander. Let me know what you've been successful with. Im still playing with the different types of Kava though since they each seem to have such a different experience.