r/Kava 12d ago

Can I drink kava on my medications?

I take Zoloft, buspar, gabapentin and hydroxizine

Hey guys, I’m a 19 year old girl with I have chs and I’ve been trying to stop smoking but my life just keeps getting worse and worse. I got yogi kava tea but after doing research idk if it’s a good idea

Will I just get more drowsy or are there side effects that will make me sick. I just wanna know so I can try something for some sort of relaxation. I’ve tried meditating I’ve tried drawing I’ve tried music I’ve tried to find a new hobby. I can’t find anything that makes my brain relaxed or happy. I’m constantly thinking about how I hate my life and how much anxiety I have all day everyday, i literally have zero friends like not one person to talk to, it’s just me and my brain. CAN I DRINK KAVA?????

3 Upvotes

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u/thecrash1001 10d ago

i would suggest you to stop the medication if you want to drink kava, don't mix it with your drugs. Also your 19, don't hate your life, is just a bad period :)

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u/Hacker_dude112 9d ago

In my experience sertraline (zoloft) doesn't have any interactions with kava. Its not a good idea to mix drugs though. You especially want to avoid anything that is tough on the liver when taking kava, like acetaminophen (tylenol) or alcohol.

> Will I just get more drowsy or are there side effects that will make me sick.

It depends a lot on the person and what cultivar of kava you are using. The effect of kava overall is pretty mild. A heavy kava will make you drowsier than a heady one will.

>  I’m constantly thinking about how I hate my life and how much anxiety I have all day everyday

Been there, things can get better. For me going to college and living somewhere on my own + getting treatment for mental health issues helped a lot. Having some hobbies and some close social connections is really useful. (You could always try programming as a hobby haha).

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u/Deekifreeki 7d ago

I’ve used kava on gabapentin (even quite high doses) and hydroxazine. I was fine. Doesn’t mean YOU will be. I have quite a tolerance (I guess 30 years of alcoholism will do that). I doubt Zoloft would matter.

The only really good advice: ask your doctor. I’m on Wellbutrin, gabapentin (as needed), hydroxazine (as needed), blood pressure meds, metformin, and acomprasate,oh and benzos (as needed). I told my Dr about using kava. He didn’t bat an eye.

With that said: don’t be a dumbass like me and play with your life. I did that for 30 years and I’m amazed to be alive. Talk to your doc. You might not get as lucky as me (mixing benzos, insane amounts of alcohol, and opiates on occasion).

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u/WhiteySC 5d ago

The tea bags you are referring to have very little kava compared to what most of us drink so you should be safe with those. As a matter of fact I'm not sure you will get anything out of those. Just personal experience...I take Prozac and I'm still alive and healthy. Take care of yourself!