Nervous Newbie...help, please?

[Melissa818]

Hi. I'm completely new to this and pretty much only want to try kava for severe anxiety symptoms....or at least that's what I think they are. Doctors can find nothing else wrong with me. My biggest issue right now is being terrified of side effects, be they from meds or natural remedies. Any suggestions on the best to try first? I bought the sample pack from GHK of their instant. Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

[Mika]

I am a newbie myself; I've only been drinking kava for about a month, but you sound very similar to me. I started drinking it because of my anxiety and I tend to be very sensitive and anxious when taking new remedies. I have had the moi instant and the nene micronized. I haven't tried the Mahakea yet. The advice I would give is to start slowly and listen to your body. The effects of Kava can be really subtle. You can always drink more if you aren't feeling any effects. Maybe start with the nene as it is the most gentle I think, as long as it's no problem if it makes you sleepy. Take a teaspoon at a time and then wait thirty minutes or so. Just make sure you try it on an empty stomach or you probably won't feel anything. I'm sure others can give you better advice as I'm only speaking from my very limited experience. Good luck. Kava has really helped me to control my anxiety and stress.

 

[Gourmet Hawaiian Kava]

Hi. I'm completely new to this and pretty much only want to try kava for severe anxiety symptoms....or at least that's what I think they are. Doctors can find nothing else wrong with me. My biggest issue right now is being terrified of side effects, be they from meds or natural remedies. Any suggestions on the best to try first? I bought the sample pack from GHK of their instant. Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you!!!

Moi is my best seller but Mahakea is well balanced, the nene seems to help a lot of people sleep. I hope this helps. Aloha.

Chris

 

[Melissa818]

I am a newbie myself; I've only been drinking kava for about a month, but you sound very similar to me. I started drinking it because of my anxiety and I tend to be very sensitive and anxious when taking new remedies. I have had the moi instant and the nene micronized. I haven't tried the Mahakea yet. The advice I would give is to start slowly and listen to your body. The effects of Kava can be really subtle. You can always drink more if you aren't feeling any effects. Maybe start with the nene as it is the most gentle I think, as long as it's no problem if it makes you sleepy. Take a teaspoon at a time and then wait thirty minutes or so. Just make sure you try it on an empty stomach or you probably won't feel anything. I'm sure others can give you better advice as I'm only speaking from my very limited experience. Good luck. Kava has really helped me to control my anxiety and stress.

Thank you so much for your reply. Most of the time I have to be pretty miserable before I break down and take something but I'm getting to the point where feeling normal and healthy again would be awesome!

 

[Melissa818]

Moi is my best seller but Mahakea is well balanced, the nene seems to help a lot of people sleep. I hope this helps. Aloha.

Chris

Thank you so much for replying. The main anxiety issue I seem to have is constant mind chatter that wreaks havoc on me physically because I can't settle my mind down and it gets me so wound up. Any suggestions on the best one to calm the mind some so I can relax a bit?

 

[Deleted User01]

Try the Kava before supper as a test and see if it settles your mind down. I would start with Mahakea and then Nene. Later on, you might try Hanapaki Ai'. That really seems to deaden by brain. I call it the Zombie Kava. Don't forget that it may take a few days for you body to react if you encounter reverse tolerance. But not everyone gets reverse tolerance. Good luck!
P.S. I also find that listening to audiobooks will turn off the brain at night. It forces you to listen to the book, not your whirring brain.

 

[Melissa818]

Try the Kava before supper as a test and see if it settles your mind down. I would start with Mahakea and then Nene. Later on, you might try Hanapaki Ai'. That really seems to deaden by brain. I call it the Zombie Kava. Don't forget that it may take a few days for you body to react if you encounter reverse tolerance. But not everyone gets reverse tolerance. Good luck!
P.S. I also find that listening to audiobooks will turn off the brain at night. It forces you to listen to the book, not your whirring brain.

Awesome. Thank you for the suggestions. I did start with the Mahakea but I'm such a weirdo about side effects that I started with a 1/4 tsp last night. I could tell it did something but obviously didn't calm me down enough. I got up this morning and tried 1/2 tsp before work and while it did seem to settle me some, it's obvious I'm going to need more. I guess the only confusion I have at this point is do I just keep piling it on every 30 minutes until it helps or should I wait a little while?...and is it okay if I've had breakfast already because most people say you need to take it on an empty stomach. Also, last question for you, the Hanapaki Ai', can you take that and still be functional at a desk job or is it better taken when I'm sitting at home with nothing to do for the evening? I mostly need a good Kava that will get rid of all of these awful physical anxiety symptoms I have but I can still function on throughout the day every day. Thank you, again!!!!

 

[yiki]

I would use more heavier kavas for anxiety relief. A very heady one can have some effects that might be difficult to handle for someone new to kava IF taken at a high dosage. Otherwise, there aren't many sideeffects for me. Maybe some mild nausea if taken ona n empty stomach (which i'd say is essential). In my opinion, Kava isn't something you have to worry much about. It's a very gentle plant to be honest. GHK is fantastic, i'm jealous you have access to their amazing kavas. Mahakea is lovely.

1/4 teaspoon ...you probably won't notice anything...but good for you taking it slow. Whatever feels good for you. I think you can jump to 2 teaspoons easily without having to worry about anything. It will be ok! I usually take 2-3 tablespoons...

edit: I also know the fear of sideeffects from a panic problem years back....just trust the kava and the bodily sensation it brings. Lemon balm is also very nice.

 

[Melissa818]

I am a newbie myself; I've only been drinking kava for about a month, but you sound very similar to me. I started drinking it because of my anxiety and I tend to be very sensitive and anxious when taking new remedies. I have had the moi instant and the nene micronized. I haven't tried the Mahakea yet. The advice I would give is to start slowly and listen to your body. The effects of Kava can be really subtle. You can always drink more if you aren't feeling any effects. Maybe start with the nene as it is the most gentle I think, as long as it's no problem if it makes you sleepy. Take a teaspoon at a time and then wait thirty minutes or so. Just make sure you try it on an empty stomach or you probably won't feel anything. I'm sure others can give you better advice as I'm only speaking from my very limited experience. Good luck. Kava has really helped me to control my anxiety and stress.

Mika, one more question for you? How much do you use every day and do you have one that you favor more than others for anxiety/stress?

 

[Summer]

I think the sample pack from GHK is a great way to start. Instant is easy to prepare and will give a nice, clean experience. My typical instant dosage is one tablespoon repeated every 15-30 minutes. Some people have great effects with way less. Mahakea is my go-to.

If you are on other medications or herbal supplements it may affect your outcome.

 

[Melissa818]

I think the sample pack from GHK is a great way to start. Instant is easy to prepare and will give a nice, clean experience. My typical instant dosage is one tablespoon repeated every 15-30 minutes. Some people have great effects with way less. Mahakea is my go-to.

If you are on other medications or herbal supplements it may affect your outcome.

Every 30 minutes? I could never afford that!!! LOL! Thankfully I seem to be getting effects from even 1/2 a teaspoon so I think 1 teaspoon will work for me but I don't know how often to repeat throughout the day to keep my nerves settled down.

 

[Summer]

Usually I have one session in the early afternoon and I may have a small one in the evening. Some people drink small amounts throughout the day and some have one lengthy session. Everyone is different.

If you feel the mind-chatter or anxious feelings creeping in, you could take a small dose and repeat until you are where you want to be. It takes practice, and even then sometimes it is just hit or miss.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

It's smart to keep adding more every 30 minutes until you feel something rather than every 30 minutes all day every day haha ! that would be expensive !

Kava has levels , there is no unsafe level to it but by the time you have had to much you will have passed the first medicinal levels a long time ago.

For me it starts as a gentle euphoria that gets energy in the body moving and usually is accompanied by a giddiness that is very enjoyable. I feel inclined to dance and move. this is my favorite level. and represents the first I'm feeling it phase .
If I stop here I can have an amazing day that is really easy to calm my mind down by watching the thoughts as they arise and allowing them to be.
If I keep drinking I can go more toward a more sedated or energized depending on the strain state that can be helpful or a hindrance to the mental activity, I find that too much of a heavy kava will block thought like hanakapi ai as Deleted User01 mentioned.. and too much of a heady kava like moi and I may get alot more thought produced. Nene however is special... it's the best for reduced mental chatter for me and is felt to be the most spiritually forgiving plant. when I say spritual I always mean lessening mental activity and increased sense of well being or okayness.
Hiwa is spiritual in the culture of Hawaii and is Powerful kava. it vibrates and is almost otherworldly... this is more of a ceromonial mental decrease and is intense rather than helping you to do it yourself like Nene seems to do.

Take 1 tablespoon of nene micro and do whatever you are doing. while you do whatever your doing. notice yourself as the consciousness or backround to life. notice the silence around you. notice you sense perceptions. notice that it is always now. allow yourself to think if thats what's happening ... they aren't "your" thoughts . they are just thoughts arising in You.

If this makes sense to you or appeals to you, you won't need kava if you practice this but it will help when you cannot practice this.

 

[Mika]

Mika, one more question for you? How much do you use every day and do you have one that you favor more than others for anxiety/stress?

I usually drink Kava twice a day, but if I'm feeling really stressed in the morning, I'll have some before breakfast. I start with one tablespoon micro or two tablespoons ground in an aluball (Which if you decide that kava is for you, I think is a worthwhile investment.) I went through the little instant that I had, but I think I started with one teaspoon of that. I'll wait thirty minutes to an hour to decide if I want more, but usually these amounts are enough to reduce my anxiety. I've only tried a few different kinds, but I really like Borogu and Borongoru during the day, and Nene a few hours before bedtime.

 

[Zaphod]

While I recommend taking it slow - I think you are taking way too little to notice anything. When I started, I started slowly as well and kept increasing. It wasn't until I got to 2-3 TBS (not tsps) of microgrind taken all at once before I really felt it kick in. Make sure you are taking it on an empty stomach as well. Preferably 3-4 hours after your last meal. I have been an almost daily drinker for over a year and it has helped a ton. Bula!

 

[ElDudarino]

I have anxiety too and I'll just share my experience. I love GHK, best seller hands down. Moi makes me anxious though. My go to is Mahakea. All kavas make it harder for me to sleep if taken within 2 hours of trying to sleep. Better to take 4+ hours before sleep and then once it starts wearing off that's when I get sleepy from it. Also, too much Moi can make me have rebound insomnia - where I wake up a few hours after falling asleep.

To reduce sides, stick to instant and take the smallest dose that gives desired effect on an empty stomach. You can also eat a little something that combines carbs/protein/fat 30 mins later to increase the anxiety reducing effects. I've had good success with fried chicken and pizza - but only with a small portion.

Overall, I find micronized is the best way to go for me. There's a slightly higher chance of sides than with instant, but it's a better value. Try 2 teaspoons to start.

Every 30 minutes? I could never afford that!!! LOL! Thankfully I seem to be getting effects from even 1/2 a teaspoon so I think 1 teaspoon will work for me but I don't know how often to repeat throughout the day to keep my nerves settled down.

 

[blindy107]

Good advice in here. If I can add one little snippet I've noticed over the years.

I feel like I can almost override the majority of kavas mental effects aside from the stuff like nausea and blurry vision, but those don't appear until higher dosage usually. We have the benefit of this plant being highly sensitive to environment when taken.

Take your mind off the kava and the kava takes itself off your mind. Just my little observation.

Welcome and happy rooting.

 

[Vekta]

Welcome to the tribe.

 

[Greywolf]

Best thing I found for sleep was white noise videos on Youtube. They run for eight or more hours, and can be helpful for meditation also.

 

[Kojo Douglas]

For sleep, look up a podcast called "Sleep With Me" on the iTunes Podcast App. Oh my God, it's amazing. It's this guy with a soothing voice who tells these meandering tales that are so confusing and odd that you eventually fall asleep. It's like a drug.