New to Kava! Question about Kava/Benzo cross tolerance?

[kl.CharlieE1992]

Hi guys, new to the whole Kava stuff. Just ordered my first batch of root powder (20gs) so looking forward to it.



Kava struck my interest because I heard certain types have very good muscle relaxant properties. After reading on the forum I hear that the Boroguru one is a very good muscle relaxant.



I've never been a daily benzo user as I know the consequences of addiction. There a whole other load of reasons I don't want to be taking benzos anyway.



I unfortunately have a medical condition known as TMJD. Since benzos have muscle relaxant properties they take my muscle problems away and leave me completely symptom free.



When I have taken benzos though, it's been in very high doses sometimes so it's left me with a high tolerance. I was just wondering if this will make the effects of kava much less for me than someone with no tolerance to benzos?



I've got a lot to learn and read about kava (so many questions so gonna have to read a lot!), I'm looking forward to it though.



Thanks for any help you can give



 - Charlie





PS - if this is in the wrong section sorry!

 

[kl.CharlieE1992]

Oh one more thing... When I say I was taking benzos in very high doses that wasnt to achieve better muscle relaxation, was just because of stupidity so I'm not expecting to get the same muscle relaxing effects as I would after dropping a hell of a lot of benzos.



Just need to find something that will help my muscle problems so I never have to touch benzos or other meds again!



Cheers

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

i suspect there might be some amount of cross-tolerance if you were currently addicted to benzo's, since they both work on GABA in your brain...maybe not so much if you only pop benzos every now and then. it's been suggested that kava can ease benzo withdrawal ...but i don't think that has been stated officially by the fda or anything. if someone were physically addicted to benzos, they should probably taper down with decreasing  benzo doses before they rely on kava to do it for them.i wouldnt go into kava thinking its gonna be anything like your high doses of benzos. although it is kinda similar its a lot more mild and its not a sure-shot like pills are. at best you might compare it to 1mg xanax and more likely .5mg or so.   ...at least in my experience.

 

[kl.CharlieE1992]

Sorry should have made clear, im not currently nor have I ever been addicted to benzos, just when I have taken them it's been in pretty high doses so I've got quite a big tolerance to them.



I never took them for the reduced anxiety effects, purely for the muscle relaxation (and just to get wobbly for the sake of it on days I felt like popping loads). I've heard that Kavas with high DMH levels (is that correct?) are the best for muscle relaxation. So I'm basically wondering if I have a high tolerance to benzos, will I still get the muscle relaxant effects from the right type of Kava.



Sorry if this is all a bit confusing, completely new to all of this!



Cheers

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

i did notice you said you weren't addicted to them and that you don't wanna be ...i was just making some general points. however, high benzo tolerance is often attained by frequent usage/addiction. also frequent usage of other gaba drugs like alcohol or GHB could raise your tolerance.
 to 'sort of' answer your question...yes you might possibly have a high tolerance for kava if you have a high tolerance for benzos.you'll find out after a few tries with kava if you notice any muscle relaxation or not. if you're not pleased with the results you'll probably drink more and then end up sick from it. kava can make your muscles so relaxed that you don't even wanna move them, if you push it. I've done that a few times...but its not really pleasant at that point. you feel gross, completely aware of it and moving feels like extreme exercise.

 

[kl.CharlieE1992]

Ah I see now, sorry about that!



Thanks for the info - not looking to get extreme muscle relaxation to the point where I don't want to move from it, would be nice if I could get them that little bit more relaxed though.



Looking forward to my delivery of Kava root powder (should be here on Friday), got a lot to read in the meantime



Thanks shakas =]

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

yup yup \000/