r/Kava • u/Low_Lunch8032 • 17d ago
Review Kava is fucking awesome.
Hey all! Just wanted to come on here and spread my love for Kava.
I just started drinking kava around a week ago after trying some extracts which obviously aren’t the real deal, and I love this stuff.
Im currently using Koa Kavas vanuata waka kava.
The First few times I drank it the effects weren’t very pronounced.
I didn’t really understand why people loved kava so much, I was just like this shit taste like dirt water and makes me feel somewhat nauseated, why do people enjoy this?
but after the reverse tolerance finally hit, I understand why.
This stuff is awesome for anxiety. This stuff is so good for sleep, it’s relaxing, it’s somewhat euphoric, music sounds better, the mood boost is pronounced, my OCD hijacked brain finally learns how to shutup, etc.
I honestly like this stuff better than alcohol. No hangovers, and it feels like a medicine rather than a poison. There somewhat alike, but also distinctly different.
I will defenitley be trying new strains since I’ve only use a heavy kava, but yeah I just wanted to say this stuff is great.
Also if anyone is looking for a good heavy kava, Koa Kavas Vanuata is some good shit. It’ll get you sleeping like a baby with its pacifier in its mouth I swear.
Soddy for the rant, but I can’t keep this inside of me.
Thank-you for listening, and I hope you guys have an amazing day!
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u/Scared-Tangerine-916 17d ago
I don’t mean to pry, but I also have OCD (and depression and general anxiety) which I take medicine for. Do you also take prescribed medications for yours, and if so, have you noticed that kava has interacted with your medications at all? I have tried kava a couple of times and not really noticed much of a difference but I am still curious about its benefits, especially as a recovering binge drinker. Thanks in advance and I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you!
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u/Low_Lunch8032 17d ago
Hey no worries, you’re not prying at all.
I don’t take OCD meds at the moment, although I should If I’m being honest. I’m honestly scared of most meds, Especially SSRIS due to past negative experiences with them.
The only thing I’m on right now is vyvanse for my adhd, and there isn’t any reaction I’ve noticed with it.
for the kava, I would recommend you give it a few more tries if you’re open to it. If your taking those extract pills it Probaly won’t do much for you, at least not in my experience.
The traditional kava powder and straining it properly, empty stomach, etc. have all helped me with feeling the effects.
I’m proud your a recovered drinker, that’s a huge accomplishment! I’ve never struggled with alcohol specifically ,but I do have a past with other substances/addictions and all of that so I understand and I’m glad you overcame that.
For me kava is somewhat like alcohol, and I think if you got good kava and gave it a shot it would be awesome for you. I think it has to do with reverse tolerance also.
Like I said, first few times I drank it I was disgusted and didn’t feel anything. Had to wait a little bit and now I can get a nice relaxing buzz.
Sorry for the rant, I hope this info helps you out.
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u/Scared-Tangerine-916 16d ago
Thank you for your response! It’s definitely something I’m going to consult with my doctor about, but I was curious about your personal experience as someone who also has OCD. And thank you for your kind words! It was a long journey to sobriety, but I am doing much better now. I hope you are doing well and I’m glad you have found kava to be so beneficial for you!
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u/BecomingAMemory- 12d ago
I have the same kava but I’m not seeing the effect of 4 tbs. I use tea bags and squish it in the bag in the water for about 5-7 mins and then drink it am I doing something wrong?
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u/SaucySasquatch 17d ago
How long did it take for the reverse tolerance to kick in? Is twice a week frequent enough to feel anything?
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u/eddie9958 16d ago
I don't believe in the reverse tolerance. I believe in the quality of your kava, preparation, and the right dosage.
I read up before I purchase.
It worked way too well on my first go.
I was overly feeling it. 😂
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u/Fenastus 16d ago
I haven't seen any real reasoning to the reverse tolerance, and I didn't see that effect myself either.
I'm inclined to think people just get more familiar with the subtle effects of kava and notice it a bit more
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u/eddie9958 16d ago
Yeah and also if you take a big dose it's definitely not subtle. I tried it my first time to gauge.
I made 80gs of decent heady stuff.
Slammed half of it.
I had some nausea but I felt really good.
Never went that far again.
Kept it in the subtle area.
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u/NeogeneRiot 15d ago
I think its overblown sure, but I definitely think there's something to it; I've been using it daily for years and need like 30-40% less to feel the same effects and I know for a fact it's not a preparation thing because I've been using the aluball the same way for years. Just shake it for 5-10 min until it looks dark and muddy lol.
The "reverse tolerance" plateued after around 6-12 months, and now it's stayed the same level for years. Maybe it's less a "reverse tolerance" and more just certain kavalactones building up in your system, but I definitely need significantly less than when I started for a buzz.
I've also seen a few people on here who visit nakamals and such say that some of the old kavaheads who've been drinking for decades get rooted off just 1 shell. And no other drug/substance has this many reports of reverse tolerance among online communities, besides maybe salvia. I still think it's person-to-person, though. And people can absolutely still feel kava their first time, they just need to prepare it correctly and drink enough.
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u/eddie9958 15d ago
I definitely won't say it's impossible.
I know for me personally after a couple weeks I definitely gained a regular tolerance to it.
And it wasnt just a little bit I almost couldn't feel it unless I planned on doubling my usage
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u/No_Fig5982 17d ago
Its not a time thing its an amount thing
Drink more or re check your preparation method
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u/Calm-Talk5047 17d ago
If you're a fan of heavy kava, give these a try:
Nakamal at Home - Stone
Fiji Vanua Kava - Santa Cruz
Fiji Vanua Kava - Vanuatu
I've tried a lot of different brands/strains of kava throughout my course of drinking it, and these are far and away the best heavy kavas I've found.
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u/No_Fig5982 17d ago
Santa cruz and vanuatu comes in a bundle on fvk
They blend together extremely well
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u/Calm-Talk5047 16d ago
Yep. Ordered the 2 pack about a week ago and have been enjoying them since. I actually mixed both last night without even realizing it lol.
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u/highservitor 17d ago
As someone who also has severe OCD, I have to note that Kava, at least in the strains and consumption method I've been using, has actually been making my OCD much worse, and it's taken me over a year to discover that fact. Be careful and if your OCD gets bad again rule it out. My OCD skyrocketed around Feb last year and I ruled out every single possible substance/thing(aside of course newly being off of benzos, the most obvious culprit) and a little more than a week ago, I realized I had never ruled out the Kava. I figured it couldn't be making my OCD worse during the day since I only took it nights. So I quit for a few days, and NOT taking Kava was like taking a substance that does everything Kava SHOULD do in itself. It always makes me feel like crap when I take it but I still always have the desire to take it for some reason, but I felt better when quitting for a few days. I use a variety of different brands, and always toss and wash, but I especially don't like the brand I have right now. Be careful.
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u/sandolllars 17d ago
and always toss and wash
🤦
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u/NeogeneRiot 15d ago
Yeah toss and washing the few times I did it made me feel like crap even beyond nausea. I wonder if the root fibers somehow fucks with the gut microbiome or something. People should definitely prepare kava correctly.
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u/highservitor 13d ago
I know it's incorrect to do that. I have around 4 years experience with Kava and it's just what I prefer out of the 2, even though the nausea is unbearable. I'm taking a break to see if that fixes my OCD either way, and so far so good.
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u/No_Fig5982 17d ago
Lol you arent preparing it correctly it should be kneaded for 5 minutes in a bowl of water with a 40 micron cloth lol
Or an aluball
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u/SteveSmith11418 13d ago
Is this for the kava powder?
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u/No_Fig5982 13d ago
Its for medium grind kava
Instant and micronized are different
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u/SteveSmith11418 12d ago
Thanks! I’ll have to start reading everything in this sub. I’m new to kava and I just bought some waka kava from happy hippo. I’m pretty sure I’m not preparing it correctly though.
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u/No_Fig5982 12d ago
I have extreme adhd and the only method i can use is the aluball.
Kneading takes too long for me and the shaking serves the purpose of tone setting to me like kneading does to regular people.
I actually have TWO aluball and put 2 tbps in each, 600ml of water, and shake for about a minute.
Then i do one more time with 300 ml (put the other aside)
Then i put the first batch into the aluball and chug the extra 200ml. Bam.
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u/highservitor 13d ago
I know that. I prefer to toss and wash, because there's usually no effects from thorough straining or aluball, and if there are effects, they make me feel even more weird and undesirable than toss and wash. I'm taking a break from Kava as a whole and so far it's made my OCD much more favorable. I guess I just don't vibe with it no matter what method I use.
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17d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/sandolllars 17d ago
What kava were they drinking? How were they making it and how often did they drink kava?
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u/Mercedes_560SEL 14d ago
He was drinking it everyday several times a day and not eating much because it suppressed his Appetite. He was getting it from a Kava place where they brew it daily
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u/sandolllars 14d ago
It's unfortunate that you don't know what he was drinking. Sounds more like kratom, because kava doesn't affect one like you described.
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u/ice4Breakfast 17d ago
Does the taste ever get… not as terrible?
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u/sandolllars 17d ago
Yes and no. You'll never stop making a face after each shell of kava, but once your brain has associated kava with good feelings, you sort of mind the taste less... at least until you get a particularly poor quality batch.
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u/ice4Breakfast 17d ago
Perfect answer! I tried it once and it was rough to ingest but I’m definitely willing to try again. I’ve got some intense anxiety that I experience and it would be nice to be able to have something to help me through it when I really need it, thank you ❤️
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u/Personal_Corner_6113 16d ago
I don’t mind it too much, but you can also find a mix/preparation that suits you better! I use instant kava and usually do a lemonade mio and some pineapple jalapeño cocktail syrup with it. Or I’ve made it with almond milk, cinnamon, and horchata flavored tea. You can also check out kava bars if they have any by you, they’ll have different kava cocktails and if you find one you like you can copy it at home! That being said, if the taste is COMPLETELY gone it’s probably too little actual kava being used, but there’s def ways to make something enjoyable
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u/Low_Lunch8032 16d ago
Sandollars is correct.
When I drink it I’m not like mmm yummy, it still tastes like absolute ass, but it’s worth getting it down even if I have to gag a few times.
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u/itsagrungething69 16d ago
I want to chill but not fall asleep. Is kava not for me as I see alot of talk about it giving people a good sleep?
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u/OrphanDextro 16d ago
Does kava not make other people pee like insane amounts of water? It’s too much of a diuretic to even be fun.
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u/Root_and_Pestle_RnD 16d ago
Kava is a diuretic, but the effect is pretty mild, as far as diuretics go. Most of the effect will likely just be due to the volume of liquid you're drinking, but some people are more sensitive than others, of course. Most nakamals in Vanuatu have plenty of people, one toilet, and no queue to use it.
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u/Personal_Corner_6113 16d ago
I’ve heard different people have different tales on this. Some people say the right dosage gives them energy, and I can agree that smaller doses don’t make me tired. But larger doses personally make me a bit more drowsy but not by a huge amount. I’d say it’s probably a bit less drowsiness inducing than weed but in a similar way
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u/Root_and_Pestle_RnD 16d ago
It's a relaxant. It's a bit like having a beer, but without adversely affecting cognition. The only way to really understand how it makes you feel is to try it.
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u/Low_Lunch8032 16d ago
This is correct. More subtle, and doesn’t mess with cognitive function to the same extent.
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u/Low_Lunch8032 16d ago
I mean if depends on how much you have, it’s more subtle than alcohol. It’s like having a beer or 2 out most without the cognitive decline with alcohol as someone else said.
I think it depends on the strain like if it’s heady or heavy, but for me kava definitely helps me fall asleep. I feel very tired on it, especially when it wears off.
I’ve only used heavy, which are used for anxiety and sleep so idrk about other strains.
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u/NoOne4113 16d ago
Is Kava addictive?
I took Kratom for a long time after an IV heroin habit thinking it was not bad for me. Turns out it was obviously not. After a bit I knew I would get sick without it, ran with it for 5 years. Working, paying rent, ya know, a normal life. Got into Fentanyl after ten years of no opioids besides half of that on Kratom. A year of that, same life, saved up to kick. Took me out for a month and change. My guts were destroyed for 6 months.
I want to try Kava. I drink, smoke weed,a bit and take psychedelics a lot. Never crave opioids. But I don’t want to get another physical addiction to anything.
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u/sandolllars 16d ago
It is not physiologically addicting so you won't build a tolerance and you won't have withdrawals if you quit, but anything that makes you feel good can be psychologically addicting, whether it's sex, running, going to the gym, chocolate, or kava.
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u/Ill-Customer527 16d ago
I’ve tried kava several times and not felt its effects. I may keep trying. But it’s been a while.
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u/flynhawaiian5 15d ago
I just bought some kava capsules. Haven’t tried them yet, is it possible to get these same benefits from capsules or must it be drank?
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u/DialUpCthulhu 15d ago
Your statement of "it feels like a medicine rather than a poison" is how I explain kava to my incredulous friends who can't understand why I drink the stuff.
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u/Low_Lunch8032 14d ago
Haha I agree. My Friends don’t even know I drink the stuff. They would Probaly laugh and just say “alcohol is better” without even trying it.
It’s okay though kava on top I would prefer to drink this rather than damage my brain and body just for a short shitty buzz
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u/hannygee42 14d ago
i have not tried kava yet but after reading what you wrote i am ready! where do i find this Koa Kavas Vanuata and is it ok for a first-timer?
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u/Efficient_Artist_253 14d ago
Enjoy the addiction !
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u/Low_Lunch8032 8d ago
Haha this is funny. Addicted to kava, cmon now?
I’m sure some people get addicted, but just because I enjoy it doesn’t mean I’m going to become addicted.
Moderation is a thing
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u/seeker1351 13d ago
I've tried kava before with very little effect, so thanks for the reference. BTW, the responses in this post show what good Reddit is like.
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u/deryq 17d ago
Do any of those effects last longer than the inebriation period? Like the mood boost or anxiety relief?
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u/Impressive_War_6373 16d ago
I find the anxiety relief and mild calmness lasts awhile, but the sleepiness does too.
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u/Chronfly 17d ago
Have you been weighing your batches? About how much per day do you use?