I finally got around to trying the fabled Solomon Island kava. It's always piqued my interest because it commonly is reviewed as being distinctly different than every other kava, potently 'heady'...almost drug-like.
I'm not sure if this is a case of high expectations or the fact that heady kavas typically don't react the same way with me, as they do others. But, for me, Solomon's seemed to be a bit of a let down. While, at any dose, it still offered a typically mild calmness and anxiotytic relaxation you'd expect from kava. It didn't seem to have any real stand-out properties from the spectrum of effects. Except perhaps in the way of 'Headiness'. However, this is not the clear euphoric headiness of a light tongan/hawaiian kava, It's more so stupifying. It can put your mind/self in a stupor without giving you much of anything else. Maybe this is where it's 'drug-like' description comes from ?
Although it didn't have much effect on my muscles or body at all, I was surprised at how sedated I perceived myself through the 'mental stupor'.
I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I didn't find it uplifting much, if at all, and also wouldn't consider it a good daytime kava. (unless you only had one shell or something) To compare it to anything, In my experience, I'd say it's like a weaker version of Melo Melo. I eventually tried using 10 Tbsp and making 2nd & 3rd wash single shells after my main batch...after consuming all of that...it finally brought me to the deep side of a kava experience. Where you can completely enjoy just sitting in the dark, listening to song after song, peacefully drifting around in your mind. This was very enjoyable but I did miss the feeling being coupled with a body buzz, like there'd be with Waka, Stone or a strong batch of Boroguru.
A couple perks though; it didn't leave me as tired the next day as my Waka would and was also about 25% easier on my stomach than my Waka too. As with almost all kava I try, it was still great for sleep and general anxiety relief.
I'm not sure if this is a case of high expectations or the fact that heady kavas typically don't react the same way with me, as they do others. But, for me, Solomon's seemed to be a bit of a let down. While, at any dose, it still offered a typically mild calmness and anxiotytic relaxation you'd expect from kava. It didn't seem to have any real stand-out properties from the spectrum of effects. Except perhaps in the way of 'Headiness'. However, this is not the clear euphoric headiness of a light tongan/hawaiian kava, It's more so stupifying. It can put your mind/self in a stupor without giving you much of anything else. Maybe this is where it's 'drug-like' description comes from ?
Although it didn't have much effect on my muscles or body at all, I was surprised at how sedated I perceived myself through the 'mental stupor'.
I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I didn't find it uplifting much, if at all, and also wouldn't consider it a good daytime kava. (unless you only had one shell or something) To compare it to anything, In my experience, I'd say it's like a weaker version of Melo Melo. I eventually tried using 10 Tbsp and making 2nd & 3rd wash single shells after my main batch...after consuming all of that...it finally brought me to the deep side of a kava experience. Where you can completely enjoy just sitting in the dark, listening to song after song, peacefully drifting around in your mind. This was very enjoyable but I did miss the feeling being coupled with a body buzz, like there'd be with Waka, Stone or a strong batch of Boroguru.
A couple perks though; it didn't leave me as tired the next day as my Waka would and was also about 25% easier on my stomach than my Waka too. As with almost all kava I try, it was still great for sleep and general anxiety relief.
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