Kava Addiction And Abuse
Kava is a popular supplement made from a plant that is commonly abused for its psychoactive and sedating properties.
www.addictioncenter.com
It's interesting at the bottom of the sales pitch, there is a mention of a Clinical Reviewer (David Hampton) that says - "All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional." This person clearly didn't do all the research or cherry picked the info. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.The Dangers of Kava
There are multiple safety concerns regarding kava use, including liver failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Many cases of liver damage and even some deaths have been traced back to regular kava consumption. As a result, the substance has been banned from the market in both Europe and Canada. Despite the serious health concerns, kava has not been taken off the market in the U.S. Regularly consuming the supplement for as little as one to three months has resulted in the need for liver transplants, and even death. Early symptoms of liver damage include jaundice, fatigue, and dark urine.
There are several theories about why repeated use of kava might cause liver damage. First, kava is metabolized by a group of liver enzymes that are involved in metabolizing many drugs. Kava can tie up these enzymes so that they cannot readily metabolize the other drugs, causing those drugs to accumulate and damage the liver. Another possible explanation is that the kava itself might be metabolized into substances that directly cause damage to the liver cells. Other researchers believe that the liver toxicity comes from kava often being taken with alcohol, and that the liver damage is a result of the combination of the two. Yet another theory is that inflammation and depletion of important substances in the liver are to blame for toxicity. Since the mechanism of toxicity is not clear, the FDA has taken the position that individuals with liver disease or taking drugs that can affect the liver should avoid taking kava without consulting a physician.
A one-time unintentional dose of kava is almost always safe. However, there are many long-term health effects from regular and chronic use. Long-term toxicity with kava tends to be liver damage, irritation of the stomach, kidney injury, shortness of breath, disorientation, and hallucinations. Another effect of prolonged use is dermopathy; a characteristic scaly, cracked skin disorder found in people who abuse kava.