Reverse Tolerance

[kl.eponym]

Hi All,
I've just discovered kava, and this forum has been really helpful.  One thing I'm not quite clear on is reverse tolerance.  I'd like to hear your experiences with it, and also:
About how long does it usually take for the reverse tolerance to build? 
I've also noticed that folks tend to recommend using alternate forms of kava (extracts, candy) to build a reverse tolerance before starting on the traditional powdered root.  Why is this?
Thanks.

 

[krunkedout]

I'm not sure why a lot of people recommend instants. I started out on just plain root. It took maybe a few weeks for me. It's different for everyone really. What I recommend is to jut use it every night whether it be root or extract or instant. And keep it as a daily process and you will be krunked in no time

 

[Prince Philip]

To defend myself, I'm not advocating the use of instants to build reverse tolerance, but rather to "lisen singsing blong kava."



And I will explain why.



When you make a good batch of grog, the factors involved are...

amount of root

amount of water

temperature of water

quality of grind

quality of strainer

time involved in soaking

time involved in kneeding



When you make a shell of instant, the factors involved are

amount of resin

quality of resin

amount water

temperature of water





In my personal opinion, it's twice as easy to fuck up a quart of grog compared to a quick shell of instant kava.

 

[krunkedout]

I definitely agree that instant can e much less of a hassle

 

[kl.Dubkava]

I think more than anything it's a case of familiarising yourself with the effects. It's very subtle until you really recognise it. Someone here suggested before to sit down read a book or watch a movie after drinking some kava so you can notice the feelings taking shape.

 

[kl.eponym]

The first time I drank kava, it was kona powder, and the effects seemed much stronger than what I'm drinking now, which is fu'u and boroguru.  This seems odd to me since everyone on here says kona's not so great.  I do notice effects now, but it's just a subtle calm and a usually very slight numbness of my mouth. 
As Prince Philip warns, I'm worried about wasting the whole pound (the instant is just so expensive), but I do think I'm preparing it correctly (though I don't really understand the 'oily' factor in kneading).
Also, another thing I'm confused about is dosage.  Of course it varies depending on the person and the situation, but I've seen dosage recommendations from 2T to 1/2 cup.  In general, do you have to take a lot at first?  I've only been taking 2T in 1cup water/milk (I'm cheap!)

 

[krunkedout]

The first time I drank kava, it was kona powder, and the effects seemed much stronger than what I'm drinking now, which is fu'u and boroguru.  This seems odd to me since everyone on here says kona's not so great.  I do notice effects now, but it's just a subtle calm and a usually very slight numbness of my mouth. 
As Prince Philip warns, I'm worried about wasting the whole pound (the instant is just so expensive), but I do think I'm preparing it correctly (though I don't really understand the 'oily' factor in kneading).
Also, another thing I'm confused about is dosage.  Of course it varies depending on the person and the situation, but I've seen dosage recommendations from 2T to 1/2 cup.  In general, do you have to take a lot at first?  I've only been taking 2T in 1cup water/milk (I'm cheap!) 

here is my recommendation. I too started with kona, but I have since seen the light. After I realized that kona was crap I bought my first real kava, isa from kava by Rex. But believe me boroguru and Fu'u are two amazing kavas and great to be starting out with. My go to dose is 6T but when I started out it was around 4T. I recommend using 4T in 2 cups water. Soak your root for at least an hour. So basically, take the 4T of root and put it in a container with 1 cup water and let it soak. After that take 1cup water and put it in the microwave from 25-30 seconds, you want it to be warm but not hot. Take that warm cup of water and toss it Ino the container that you have been soaking your root in. So now you have 4Tkava mixed with 2cups water. Pour that into your strainer, push all the kava to the bottom of the strainer and form a ball, get the ball wet in the kava juice and start rubbing it against the palm of your hand over the bowl, get it wet again and start rubbing it with your thumbs and against your palm (either or) and squeez it really hard every now and then. Keep doing this for about 10-15 min. Once you are done give it one last big squeeze to get as much liquid out as you possibly can. Your kava is now ready! And believe me, if you had effects with kona, then eventually you will have effects with the root you have now because it is MUCH better than kona. So keep at it and drink it every night until you break through and get your first real krunk