This might be one of the most confusing myths about kava and kava nectar due to the effects they have when you use them. But it’s all in how it works in the body and brain. For some people, the effects you get from kava make them feel “high”; that is, it impacts how their mind feels. However, the research shows that there are no actual hallucinogenic properties in kava. The feelings you experience from kava come from how it acts on the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, neurotransmitter system.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers responsible for sending signals from your brain to different parts of your body. The GABA system is an inhibitory system that makes you feel relaxed and calm when activated. Kavalactones act directly on the GABA system, increasing the amount of GABA in your brain and giving you the calming and refreshing effects Kava Nectar is known for.
While there are no psychoactive compounds in kava, there is still evidence that it affects your brain and driving skills. A study from the University of Waikato in New Zealand looked at six different brain functions before, during, and after drinking kava. These included focus, accuracy, temporal order judgment (that is, how one orders events in one’s head), perception of time, and fatigue. Because kava nectar is an instant form of kava, it has the same effects and benefits reported here.
The study found that drinking large amounts of kava (3.6 liters over 6 hours) negatively affected temporal order judgments, like watching for hazards when coming into intersections. But the other functions weren’t affected. This is different from other substances like alcohol, cannabis, and psychoactive drugs that tend to affect more brain functions, making it more dangerous to drive.
Another study looking at a medicinal dose of kava, which is 180mg of kavalactones, did not impair driving ability compared to a dose of the benzodiazepine oxazepam (30mg). This suggests that kava could be a safer option for treating anxiety in terms of driving risk, but more research needs to be done to understand this better.
As with other substances like alcohol, quantity matters; there is evidence that different kava preparations can affect its strength. For example, smaller doses leave you feeling calm, refreshed, and social, while taking higher doses may make you feel tired and lose fine motor skills. These higher doses are not recommended and can impair your ability to drive. So, like alcohol, there is a limit to how much you should take before you’re impaired. The ideal therapeutic doses are 180-300mg of kavalactone daily.
It can take time to understand how your body reacts to certain substances. If you’re new to kava and Kava Nectar we recommend you take time to understand how kava affects you and your limits. If you are smaller, it will take less kava to feel the effects, like with alcohol. And while kava is much safer to use than alcohol, as it takes much more to get to the point of not being able to drive, it’s still important to be aware of how you’re feeling to be sure you and those around you stay safe.
* 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.
