Kava Can Lead To Liver Poisoning! This was the shocking message shared by the MCA (Medicine Control Agency) that followed with Kava Kava being made illegal in the UK on the 13th of January 2003 [R].
A decision that now 20 years later (almost) is often debated and for some quite good reasons.
Especially because the Kava Kava Health Benefits are thought to be so significant.
Kava Kava Health Benefits and Side Effects – Is Kava Safe?
Just in case you are wondering. If you haven’t heard of Kava Kava (or just Kava) before this is a plant that grows wild in the Pacific Islands (Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia). It is thought by these islanders to have many health benefits for a number of conditions including;
- Stress and Anxiety
- Depression,
- Insomnia, and Sleeplessness
- Muscle Spasms and
- Alcohol Withdrawal
Indeed, Kava Kava has quite a notorious reputation. Many Pacific Islanders swear by it but in other countries, however, It is viewed much differently and is more well known for its psychoactive effects.
Which does certainly sound like this is something to avoid if you’re not looking to get high.
Although, If you have heard of Kava Kava before you will know it is quite often categorized alongside the likes of CBD and Kratom – plant products which themselves are touted as a kind of new-age herbal medicine.
So Is it safe? is it dangerous? Why is Kava Illegal in the UK, and other countries? There are definitely a lot of questions to be answered about this tropical plant. Please keep reading if you would like to learn more about this…
Kava Kava Health Benefits – Is Kava Safe? What You Should Know?
There are definitely 2 factions of people here in this debate. Those for the recreational use of Kava Kava for its possible health benefits and those that are against Kava Kava for its possible negative side effects.
But, Do the Kava Kava Health Benefits outweigh the potential risks?
After all, Kava Kava is considered a psychoactive substance.
In this case, it can perhaps be mentioned alongside more illicit substances such as heroin, LSD, cocaine, and amphetamines ?
Which doesn’t really paint a very pretty picture (I know) but then once you learn more about this plant the above statement does seem somewhat extreme.
I mean I can’t personally speak from experience having never actually tried Kava Kava before. Most things I keep an open mind about but then from what I’ve read in reports online of users developing liver problems from Kava I see why people might be hesitant to ever try this.
I’ve read a lot of good things about Kava but also bad things – including that one user was reported to have died of acute hepatitis (liver inflammation) from taking Kava Kava supplements. (R)
I don’t know how true this is but I would definitely exercise caution before trying anything like this.
As much as I support Kava Kava I think at the same it is important to be aware of the risks. Which I will try to cover in this post alongside the Kava Kava Health Benefits.
So, What Is Kava Kava?
Of course, many people that live in the Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Hawaii, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have used Kava Kava for centuries. They, you can be sure would mostly say that claims such as “Kava Kava causes liver poisoning“ are a joke.
After all, many of these Islanders regularly drink Kava Kava every day and are mostly very healthy people.
So, Kava Kava for anyone that doesn’t know. This is a plant that grows native in Indonesia and other surrounding Islands and countries. It is a shrub of the pepper family and is also known as Piper methysticum.
The root of this plant is used to make a drink that is well known for its sedative effects.
Check out this video to see how this is used in these native countries;
So about the Kava Kava health benefits. It is kind of like how we in Western countries drink alcohol – over in the Pacific, their version of alcohol (which is supposedly a lot less toxic) is a drink made with Kava.
They even have Kava Kava Bars in these Pacific Islands where you can go to drink after work much like our pubs and bars.
For sure, Kava Kava is very popular in this part of the world. You can imagine many people that live here think the rules in other countries are frankly ridiculous.
Especially, when you consider that Alcohol is legal in most countries but none of them has banned that for causing liver problems like Kava Kava ? So maybe these Islanders have a point.
Maybe they ARE aware of the risks but don’t feel they are so bad (within limits)? Kind of like alcohol? or perhaps they are just more sensible with their measures. Who knows?
The media does like to paint the villain and it has definitely done with the likes of Kava and Kratom. Perhaps it is because these plants are a genuine threat to the use of certain pharmaceuticals. A conspiracy could be that their criminalization is more about vested interests than them really being dangerous. It is definitely true that Big Pharma companies have way too much power but What do you think?
Have you tried Kava Kava before? Is it really as bad as some people actually claim?
Let us know in the comments section. I am not finished with this article yet but would be great to hear from you.
This definitely is a very interesting topic – so…
The History of Kava Kava ?
So, typically, there is no known origin (from what I can gather) of the real ancient history of Kava Kava use. Only that it was grown on the Vanuatu Islands some 3000 years ago, and prior to this it may have been used by Islanders in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Other than this although its name is believed to be because of its bitter taste there is an interesting legend about how the Kava Kava plant may have gotten its name. A quite strange tale indeed – but here goes –
Long ago… a couple living on the Tonga Islands with their daughter named Kava was one day approached by the sacred King Tonga (Tu’i Tonga) and his men who were desperately hungry after becoming lost at sea.
Apparently, in their desperation, they pleaded with this couple for something to eat and as a result, in a quite grim twist, they allowed the king and his men to eat their young daughter.
Very strange (I know) but this is apparently where the name comes from.
So, as the legend goes it was said that because the then-unnamed Kava Kava plant started growing on this young child’s grave it was actually named in the memory of the young girl whose sacrifice saved the life of King Tonga and his men. (R)
Savage is the only word I can think of but who knows perhaps this is true.
We can only speculate… but one more claim about Kava Kava that seems to be a bit more valid is that in more modern times the introduction to Western society was rooted in its discovery by Captain James Cook.
In fact, around this time one of the first botanical drawings of Kava emerged in 1769 so this is perhaps where its more modern history begins of being used outside the Pacific Islands. I haven’t been able to find out anything other than this but anyway let’s carry on…
Let’s get back to the question about Kava Kava Health Benefits and Side Effects – Is this safe?
Does Kava Reduce Stress and Anxiety?
This is thought to be the primary use for Kava Kava. As a means to destress and relieve anxiety. Many will take this substance because of its noticeable effects with no questions asked but actually, studies have been taken that show some support for these claims.
For instance, one such study was a randomized trial taken in 2013 with 75 participants over the course of 6 weeks.
These participants were either given a Kava Kava extract or a placebo and the result of the study was Kava Kava had a significant effect on symptoms of Anxiety. Some users apparently got headaches but interestingly none reported any liver problems or other side effects. [R]
Also, another study was taken in 2011. Again the results concluded that Kava Kava may improve Stress and Anxiety but this time around it said more research needed to be done. [R] I’ve not found any more recent studies but these studies at least show there is something to people’s claims of getting stress and anxiety relief from taking Kava Kava.
Side Note: If you are in the USA and would like to find out more about trying out Kava Kava check this website out here<<<
Kava Kava’s Other Health Benefits
Now, we have already covered Kava Kava for Stress and Anxiety but these are not the only reported health benefits.
One common use of Kava is its inclusion in deep sleep and nootropic supplements. You can most certainly say it is safe to assume that Kava can benefit both brain function and trouble with sleeping.
However, as Kava Kava is illegal in countries including the UK, Germany and Canada these supplements do not include this ingredient when they otherwise would in countries like the USA where it is not illegal.
Aside from this anxiety relief, pain relief, prevention of seizures, and relaxing muscles are touted as more health benefits associated with Kava Kava usage.
As are the following;
- opiate withdrawal,
- treatment for the common cold
- upper respiratory tract infections (URIs),
- treatment for depression
- treatment for epilepsy,
- headaches/migraines,
- and reducing symptoms of psychosis.
Quite a lot really and undoubtedly there must be some merit here to these claims. However, Kava Kava is advised to be taken with caution and you should be aware of its possible risks before ever taking it.
Many will tell you it is not dangerous at all but what might be OK for one person might not be OK for another. So just bear that in mind.
Does Kava Kava Get You High?
Well, yes… Here is the thing, some people take Kava Kava recreationally because of its psychoactive effects. It is used culturally during ceremonies by Pacific Islanders to create a state of altered consciousness. The Kava Kava plant is what is known as an anxiolytic – which if you don’t know is a term also used for alcohol.
Both alcohol and Kava are known for their relaxing euphoric effects but the difference is that Inside Kava Kava is substances called kavapyrones. They act similarly to alcohol on your brain, making you feel calm, relaxed, and happy.
Check out this video of a real-life Kava Ceremony below;
Side Effects of Kava Kava
Of course, with a reputation like Kava’s, this is to be expected. There is quite a number of reported side effects by Kava Kava users. These are not definitive or conclusive but anyhow these possible side effects are as follows;
- Allergic skin reactions
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Enlarged pupils
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Headache
- Hepatitis (acute)
- Liver damage
- Liver failure
- Motor reflex impairment
- Oculomotor equilibrium disturbances
- Parkinson Disease
- Visual accommodation disturbances
- Bodyweight decreases (chronic use)
- Facial puffiness (chronic use)
- Blood in the urine (chronic use)
- Kava dermopathy (chronic use)
- Lymphocytopenia (chronic use)
- Movement disorders (chronic use)
- Protein levels decreased (chronic use)
- Pulmonary hypertension (chronic use)
- Rash (chronic use)
- Red blood cell volume increases (chronic use)
- Low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) (chronic use)
Note: this list was originally published HERE It could be BS it could be true. It seems very similar to the negative health effects of persistent alcohol abuse. I can definitely relate to this from experience as someone that has abused alcohol in the past.
Also, this is not everything either. Other possible effects may occur and some of these are quite serious health problems as you can see but certainly, there is more to all this than meets the eye. Many that take Kava Kava do not experience any of these problems and this certainly seems why it is as popular as it is. Which is maybe a question worth answering on its own soon – why is Kava Kava so popular?
Kava Kava and Liver Poisoning
Now, continuing on from the last section – Much of the negative effects mentioned above can be attributed to liver poisoning. Kava Kava is believed to be Hepatoxic which means it can damage liver cells. This is not conclusive but over 100 reported cases of liver toxicity related to Kava usage are known to have made the news.
Indeed, of these cases, some have been quite serious. Some have led to hospitalization, and others worse still have been fatal. Behind the UK’s reasoning for banning Kava at the beginning of the 21st century were over 70 reported cases worldwide.
Although, there is definitely a bigger picture here. There are many possible causes of liver problems that could be the real culprit.
In fact, Alcohol for example is notorious for causing liver problems. Prescription medications and pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol have quite a reputation for liver damage.
Even pollution and air particulate matter can damage the liver through oxidative stress. [R]
However, as far as Kava Kava is concerned one possible link to liver damage is the depletion of glutathione levels.
Glutathione for anyone that doesn’t know is one of the chief antioxidants that helps the liver to cleanse itself. We need sustainable levels of Glutathione to protect the human body from a whole array of toxic things.
It’s very interesting but is Kava worse than alcohol? Alcohol is legal in most countries and this is DEFINITELY hepatoxic. Plus whilst there might be 70, 100 or 700 cases of Kava causing liver problems – compared to the cases of liver damage, liver failure and fatalities caused by alcohol in a population of around 4 Billion worldwide THIS IS NOTHING compared.
It’s a pretty poor excuse when you think about it this way. It is more than likely many of these cases of Kava Kava poisoning were actually alcohol. I could be very wrong here but it is certainly something to think about.
Kava Kava and Kratom Which Is Better?
There are many similarities between Kava Kava and Kratom. Both have stimulant and sedative effects which are triggered by the release of pleasure chemicals dopamine and serotonin.
For the average person that has never tried either, it might seem like there is not much of a difference between the two.
Both are sold together very often (even in Kava Bars) and like I have done on this website they are very often grouped together in a lot of cases.
Except there are some big differences between Kava and Kratom. In fact, it is these differences which make Kava the much safer, better option.
I don’t mean to diss Kratom as this is also known for its possible health benefits [Read my Kratom post here] but anyway…
So Kava is said to be non-addictive whilst Kratom is addictive because it contains alkaloids whilst Kava does not.
Kratom has Opioid-like effects caused by the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine and this is thought to be what can get people hooked.
Kava instead contains Kavalactones which are not opiate agonists.
This means they do not pose the risk of opioid side effects such as the risk of addiction. Plus much more research has been taken to investigate the effects of Kava and actually by reputation Kratom is far much worse. So much so in fact that in countries like Thailand and Indonesia where Kratom grows in the wild it has been illegal for over 70 years.
Kava Kava by comparison in its native countries has Kava Bars where everyone drinks this instead of alcohol. [R
Which Countries is it Legal to Buy Kava From?
Kava Kava STILL is illegal in several countries including the UK, Germany, Poland and South Africa. However, in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and in the native countries where it grows it is still legal.
You can actually buy Kava Kava from most countries. Some are within limits but generally speaking there has been a wider acceptance of its use within supplements and other Kava Kava products.
It is best to check out with the country where you live and the company you are dealing with before you go to check out.
>>> Feel Free To Ask If KAVA KAVA SHIPS TO YOUR COUNTRY VIA THIS WEBSITE HERE<<<
Where To Buy Kava Kava From in the USA?
If you are interested in the Kava Kava Health Benefits and you are genuinely keen to give this a try one company you can buy Kava Kava from a company called Kraken Kratom.
Obviously, this is a company that chiefly deals in Kratom based products but actually, it also stocks 19 different Kava Products including Instant Kava and Kava powder.
There is quite a selection here if you’d like to check them out. They have different Kava blends from Hawaii, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Kadavu Island plus more.
Check Out The Kraken Kratom website here<<<
In Conclusion
Kava Kava Health Benefits and Side Effects – Is Kava Safe? It definitely seems like it isn’t as bad as the governments that have banned it says. If anything at the very worst it is probably as dangerous as alcohol and contrary to that it is much safer with more possible benefits for health.
Especially, stress and anxiety – stress is a killer and actually high cortisol levels caused by stress affect hormonal balance. This, as a knock-on effect, affects blood sugar, blood flow, blood pressure, metabolism and so many things.
Even fighting cancer cells Kava Kava is believed to help with. It is something you should be very cautious of taking but at the same time, it might be the very thing to help with your problems.
I will let you decide and if you are interested you can purchase Kava Kava from this link HERE<<<
Your Feedback
Finally, what do you think about the Kava Kava Health Benefits and Side Effects? Are you convinced? Or does this seem to be a genuine concern for you? please let us know in the comments.
Also, do you know anyone that might like to read this? IF SO please share it with your friends and contacts on social media.
Many thanks in advance;
StayDynamic
Alex B. Chivers
DynamicIdeas4Life.com
Sources:
https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_kava/drugs-condition.htm
https://kalmwithkava.com/kava-vs-kratom-for-natural-relaxation/
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I’ve never heard of kava but it looks like it’s a healthy drink. Although the list of side effects is long I think that side effects can be there if you drink it in excess. It’s the same with alcohol, if you drink alcohol in excess you may get liver problems. The islanders in the video seem to relax a great deal with kava. I would like to try it out, just out of curiosity.
Hi Christine, Yes it is an interesting one I think. The side effects I think are quite questionable but then I think it depends on the person. It is like alcohol I guess but I don’t think it is anywhere near as bad for the liver. With the Islanders, they look like they are having a blast I think what you say about trying kava out of curiosity I would like to meet some of these islanders and take it with them I think. Or even try out one of these Kava bars they look quite cool.