Research shows evidence of how kava helps lower levels of depression and anxiety
This study is one of, if not the first study, looking at the mental health benefits of kava., particularly in anxiety and depression. This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over study, which means that people who participated were put into groups without any order, both participants and their doctors didn’t know what treatment they were getting, and each group was put into the other after the first wave so all participants got all treatments. This is one of the highest-quality studies that can be done.
What they did
Sixty adults with consistent anxiety symptoms participated in the 3-week trial. Participants had to have had at least one month of persistent worry or anxiety and score more than ten on the Beck Anxiety Scale (a 21-item scale that measures different aspects of anxiety), along with a variety of other anxiety and depression measurements. These were given at the start of the study (baseline), after the first week (placebo pre-treatment), and after each study treatment phase. The group was split into either Kava treatment first followed by placebo (kava-placebo) or vice versa (placebo-kava). They used organic kava root from a noble variety from Vanuatu that was dried from the watery solution into a pressed pill form. The placebo was an identical pill that was made of different vegetable glycerides.
How they did it
The first week was a placebo run-in where participants took placebo pills for five days, then completed a checklist to make sure they were able to follow instructions and didn’t have any bad reactions. Each treatment phase lasted one week. Participants took five tablets of either Kava (each containing 50mg of kavalactones, the active ingredient of kava) or a placebo. After the first week, participants returned to go all anxiety and depression assessments again before starting the second treatment. Phase 2 was exactly the same as Phase 1, except they took the opposite treatment. They went through all assessments again after the second phase.
What they found
The researchers did an in-depth analysis to compare the different layers of the study. First, the study found that anxiety levels dropped more when kava (-9.9) was taken first compared to placebo (-0.8). During phase 2, anxiety levels dropped even more (-10.3) vs +3.3 of placebo. When the two phases were combined, kava was significantly better at reducing feelings of anxiety (from the Beck Inventory Scale) and depression (from the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale). No side effects were reported during the study.
Why it matters for mental health
This study is important because it is the first to suggest the mental health benefits of kava. The study shows that it could be a safe and effective treatment alternative for depression and anxiety. It even appeared to be just as effective as conventional treatments like benzodiazepines when anxiety and depression present together. The hope is that these results spur more research into the potential of kava as a medicinal therapy for anxiety and depressive disorders and other mental health conditions.
Link to the original article
The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-009-1549-9
* Please note that the majority of kava research pertains to kava extracts, which often undergo significant processing and may contain additional ingredients and fillers that can influence their efficacy. It is crucial to consider this distinction when reading about kava studies. To draw an analogy, enjoying natural kava as a beverage can be likened to experiencing a freshly brewed cappuccino, whereas kava extracts are akin in functionality to a caffeine pill. Both forms have their unique benefits and can cater to different preferences and needs. While it’s helpful to understand research on kava extracts, please view it critically and remember that natural kava offers a uniquely holistic experience.
