So happy to join you guys.

[nicobuffalo]

Thought I'd introduce myself since I know I'll be posting around here soon.

I'm 25 (I think. Years are easily forgotten these days) and I have a one year old, soon to be two, little boy named Sai. I came here because I've been trying to make changes in my life that discourage my very intense general anxiety. I have tried kava extract and it just worked wonderfully, but that was many years ago and I could never find that brand again. I've since tried a few different kinds with not much luck.

Having anxiety has recently inspired some changes... I've switched to vaping after almost 10 years at a pack a day (3m nic), no caffeine in my life whatsoever, natural sugars like fruit instead of junk foods. The vaping has helped enormously since my breathing and blood oxygen level is almost back to normal. But still anxiety prevails, and remembering my kava experience took me to r/kava, and someone on reddit linked me to you guys.

After reading everything I've seen here I've purchased some Borogu, should be here in a couple days. I just get this feeling it's going to change everything for me and I can honestly say I've not felt that in a while and I'm extremely excited. if anyone here is willing to share their success over anxiety I'd love to read it, its really what led me here. Are there any parents here too? I'm wondering if I should have my husband with me or if I should keep it a private experience while I'm testing the waters...(I read about the "listen to your kava" blog) Thanks so much.

 

[August West]

Welcome! Make sure your stomach is empty when you try kava. Like 4+ hours of fasting. I find that it's important to be finished with chores for the day, and you're able to relax in a somewhat quiet environment until you understand what kava has to offer. Also pace yourself. Each dose you take generally takes a half hour or longer to process. Please do yourself a favor and read up on here about prep techniques, in order to have the best experience as possible. I'd hate for you to to have a sub par experience and swear it off before the magic happens. Also, invite your husband to try it. My wife and I have shared many relaxing evenings together drinking kava.

Again, welcome!

 

[nicobuffalo]

Welcome! Make sure your stomach is empty when you try kava. Like 4+ hours of fasting. I find that it's important to be finished with chores for the day, and you're able to relax in a somewhat quiet environment until you understand what kava has to offer. Also pace yourself. Each dose you take generally takes a half hour or longer to process. Please do yourself a favor and read up on here about prep techniques, in order to have the best experience as possible. I'd hate for you to to have a sub par experience and swear it off before the magic happens. Also, invite your husband to try it. My wife and I have shared many relaxing evenings together drinking kava.

Again, welcome!

So I should just build up my RT until I'm comfortable with the effects to use during the day, yes? And I looked in to the prep. assuming I have a typical tolerance, about how many glasses does one start with a day until they have some effects? & Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[Steve Mariotti]

So I should just build up my RT until I'm comfortable with the effects to use during the day, yes? And I looked in to the prep. assuming I have a typical tolerance, about how many glasses does one start with a day until they have some effects? & Thanks for the warm welcome.

First off, WELCOME to the forums, @nicobuffalo! Glad to have you here.

During RT, going heavier on the amounts is good as I believe it will speed you through RT. Once you've gotten the full effects and RT is over (you'll know, trust me) then it's good to dial down and slowly increase it.

Once you're past RT, 1/2 cup of medium grind root kneaded and strained in a strainer bag with 2-3 cups of water will give you good effects. That's the plateau I've reached, and that's my usual regimen for the last six months. Some kava is stronger than others. I use less GHK Papa Kea than I do KWK Fiji Waka, for example.

Don't drink too much too fast. I recommend 4-6oz. "shells" spaced 15-20 minutes apart. If you drink it too fast, you may become nauseated. Experiment, listen to your body, listen to the kava, and you'll be very happy with kava for its anti-anxiety and euphoric feelings.

 

[blindy107]

Welcome aboard @nicobuffalo . Hope you find the relief the rest of us have!

Any update on your usage?

 

[HeadHodge]

@nicobuffalo
WELCOME

 

[Vekta]

I also use it for anxiety related issues. I probably would not have been able to finish my first 2 years of college had I not started drinking kava.

Welcome to the tribe.

 

[verticity]

I'm wondering if I should have my husband with me or if I should keep it a private experience while I'm testing the waters...

If your husband is not too talkative and he is willing to drink it despite the taste, a shared experience would be nice. And hopefully your child doesn't cry or whine a lot lol.

 

[verticity]

I use it with great results for severe anxiety, also.

 

[nhoeg]

Welcome @nicobuffalo !
I also suffer from servere anxiety, and I am using kava for this - generalized anxiety is really frustrating when it comes to relaxing or sleeping.
I've been drinking kava for about 5 months now with some short breaks within. At first, I thought this herb would make my life complete - but of course, I was wrong. Kava will never beat your anxiety, and will in this sense "not change everything" - I had this one thought too, but one's just gotta admit that our anxiety is fueled by external factors that you'll have to eliminate.

Kava, however, is a very good treatment for "acute anxiety" or irrational worrying or stress. It calms your cortisol levels, relaxes your tense muscles and can give you mild euphoria. These three combined can put me in a very relaxed state of mind, where sleep will be induced pretty easily. The morning after a kava session, anxiety and stress seems far away because you've had quality sleep - unless some tragic or stressful event has occurred.

Keep posting on how it will effect your life