When you’re new to kava, there’s a wealth of information to absorb: understanding its effects, mastering the preparation process, and even experiencing the unique tingling sensation on your tongue. However, knowing the effects of kava is critical to having a good experience.
One key aspect to grasp is the duration of its effects, which depends on several different factors. Here are three main considerations when it comes to how long the effects of kava last.
The speed of your metabolism
Your metabolism is a chemical process that turns your food and nutrients into energy. It is constantly going, even when you’re sleeping. The rate of metabolism differs from person to person, often depending on your age, body size, sex, activity level, and food intake.
Typically, more active, slender people have faster metabolisms because their bodies have learned to turn food into energy efficiently. However, if you are less active and carry more weight, your metabolism may be slower.
If your metabolism is faster, you’ll likely feel the effects of kava faster and more intensely than your friends whose metabolism is slower. This is because it takes longer to move through your body and is slower to break down.
Type of kava
The type of kava you drink greatly impacts how long it lasts. High-quality kava can produce effects lasting 1-6 hours. The onset of results represents a bell curve, with the feelings starting slow, ramping up to a peak, and then tapering off.
There are two main categories of kava: Tudei and Noble kava.
Nobel kavas are the most popular and can be drunk daily. They don’t have any significant side effects and are often taken to help manage anxiety and insomnia. They have the famous relaxing effects kava is known for and usually last 1-4 hours, with lingering calming effects sometimes lasting up to 36 hours.
Tudei kava has much higher doses of adverse kavalactones (the active ingredients) and an undesirable kavalactone profile. This means it can cause hangover-like symptoms like nausea, headaches, and lethargy. It’s not recommended for use since its sedating effects can last up to two days.
Drinking noble kavas is going to give you the best experience.
Dosage
The kava dosage can vary depending on the type of kava and the kavalactones present. A standard bowl of traditional kava has 250mg of kavalactones per serving. If you drink multiple bowls, this increases your dose.
After an in-depth review of kava’s safety, the World Health Organization recommended a maximum daily dose of 300mg, about a standard bowl. However, this concentration can change depending on the preparation.
Increasing the dose will then increase the amount of kavalactones you are drinking. The more kavalactones you have, the longer the effects will last because your liver is waiting to break them down.
Another approach is to sip kava for a longer period of time, extending your consumption and, therefore, the effects kava gives you. Knowing your dose and how it affects you is important to knowing what to expect and how long kava will last.
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* 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.
