Need Inspiration

[kl.HerbalBliss]

Hey all, thanks for reading,
Ok, I've been trying kava a lot recently trying to reach the euphoric effects.  I haven't given up yet cause I've read about several people who had to deal with the whole reverse tolerance thing.  So, my question is, should I give up or continue?Kava Experience:About a year ago I used to drink 1-2 sippin syrups a day on average, I say this b/c the last ingredient is kavalactones.Recently, (few weeks ago) I began getting interested in  kava.First, I ordered a lb of fiji kava off of amazon, went through it in about a week, tried everything from capsuling myself (about 14 grams worth) to traditional method except I used electric blender and added some whole milk and lecithin, and I still allowed to sit in blender for 30 min. blending on/off. (this is using roughly 25g kava).  And I always thoroughly squeeze the juicy goodness out of the kava, every last drop.Second, ordered 1/4 kilo of Black Sand Kava from Nakamalathome, did my take on traditional method at least once a day till it was gone, this stuff seemed weaker then fijian I got off of amazon.Finally, I got some of Chief Jungle's Kava from Nakamal in the mail yesterday, took 6 tablespoons using my method, felt better then black sand but peak was still just a little music appreciation and slight relaxation, definitely not the euphoria I've read about.  As I'm typing this I'm on half a "shell" that contained 6-8 heaping tblspoons prepared using my method.  Effects... relaxed, music sounds a little cooler, thats all folks.  So, Is this all Kava is supposed to be or should I continue my quest for Euphoria via Kava Kava?  And btw, I definately appreciate it's "nature enhancing effects" as well but am deeply curious about this euphoria I read about.
And if this helps, I take 0 prescriptions and the only other psychoactive thing I ever do is "Medical MJ".
And if anyone has any recommended varieties or preparation methods please let me know! Thanks!(smiley: smokin)

 

[Vekta]

Some people just wont' react that way to kava. It's unfortunate but there are people that it just won't affect that way and even more unfortunatly may have no effect on whatsoever. 
From the tiny survey I did (about 15-20 people) most will fall somewhere in the middle of the curve, feel a little relaxed and have a good nights sleep. Some will really feel kava( about 10%) and some will feel very little or nothing. (10%) A friend of mine had experiences that mirror your own. I had to pump that guy full of a thick brew of Chief's Jungle before he felt anything at all and even then all it did was get him a tiny bit relaxed and that was it.
I'd say go through what you got at least. You might become more sensitive to it as the sessions pile on.

 

[kl.HerbalBliss]

"
I'd say go through what you got at least. You might become more sensitive to it as the sessions pile on."One may only hope... If anyone else has any expertise to share on the subject feel free!! , I will update tonight when I take on Chief's Jungle Kava again.Thanks for the reply!!

 

[kl.Jerome]

Well for one thing, it will never produce the type of euphoria that good MJ will produce.  So if you're looking for a simillar type high, it won't happen.  It is more like a sense of peace and well being, not like the high experienced from well grown MJ.  The only other variable I noticed you didn't mention in your email was the contents of your stomach.  Kava is best experienced on a very empty stomach.  The experience is much less noticeable on a full stomach than on an empty one.

 

[kl.HerbalBliss]

Yeah, I guess it just doesn't have much recreational value for me personally, I feel better sober... :/. I'll keep some on hand for those down moments though, thanks everyone.

 

[Prince Philip]

Some people are like that.

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

I'm new to kava kava but my experience with other ethnobotanicals is that the attitude that you bring to it can make a difference. Perhaps it's just placebo effect, but I find that the ritual can heighten the experience. It's kind of like the difference between seeking happiness for the sake of happiness (rarely succeeds) or seeking something else and finding happiness along the way. I've learned a lot reading Douglas' blog, like not to overlook the other parts of the experience, like the taste. Although Kona Kava is rather weak I'm getting almost no effect from it at all (purchased through a site that I've bought other ethnobotanicals and so know and trust) oddly, I'm finding that the taste is really growing on me and that I enjoy it, it's gingery the root by itself has a sweetness to it that I did not expect. With equal parts coco water and Bolthouse Farms Vanilla Chai it's actually delicious (I think so anyway) and I find myself drinking it slowly rather than chugging, I'm tempted to make a big batch and just keep it in the fridge for a couple days. I'm eager to try Black Sand for just that reason, it's not supposed to be krunkish, but is supposed to be possibly the best-tasting one out there.



From a cold, pharmacological perspective, I'm expecting kava kava to be more like benzodiazepines in effect, more like the feeling of peace from valerian or passion flower but without the drowsiness, or maybe like an adenosine reuptake inhibitor or wild dagga--which actually tastes wretchedly bitter, and my tolerance for foul-tasting things is pretty high, I thought surely people were exaggerating. Nothing is like MJ, plants that contain phytocannabinoids I can count on one hand and I have spent way too much time researching ethnobotanicals and entheogens. Another thing to keep in mind is that ethnobotanicals usually contain other substances that are not immediately identified that either shape the experience or protect you from harm from the active ingredients. For example, the other cannabinoids in MJ counteract the negative side effects of THC like paranoia and heart arrhythmias. There's some evidence that kava kava may contain substances that boost glutathione, which would protect against liver damage. So, there may be other benefits to the traditional method.

 

[kl.homobonobo]

Kava is best experienced on a very empty stomach.  The experience is much less noticeable on a full stomach than on an empty one. 

I can attest that this makes a HUGE difference. I have only tried Kava a handful of times so far, and I'm still waiting for the "real" stuff to come in the mail (just Gaia pills and Mary Jane Soda so far). Mostly I've just felt a noticeable but very mild relaxing feeling. However, the second time, I tried it on an extremely empty stomach, and the effect was dramatically more intense. I had that euphoric feeling, like all was right with the world and everything was awesome! It sold me on kava right there.

I just bought some Borogu from BKH, and I'm hoping that's more intense than the Gaia pills (which I've heard aren't great, but I was eager to try kava ASAP as soon as I found out about it). The pills and soda work for a me for a mild, general anxiety improvement, but like to not have to skip breakfast AND lunch before I get a truly awesome experience.

I found some of the Yogi kava tea at my local Whole Foods tonight, and my wife and I are waiting to digest our dinner to see how that works out.