Getting the same relaxing feelings without the side effects
Life has gotten busy. And along with that business is stress. We try to fit so much into a day to maximize time and productivity we are often left feeling exhausted and craving something to help relax us at the end of the day. In most western cultures we turn to alcohol. That nice cold beer or glass of wine can taste so good after a busy day. But what if you don’t drink alcohol or want an alcohol alternative?
Kava is emerging as a great replacement for alcohol. It gives the same feelings of relaxation and socialization as alcohol but without the after effects. There is a misconception that kava is to the south pacific what alcohol and coffee is to western cultures. However, kava works in different ways and doesn’t have any of the negative effects as alcohol and could be a good alcohol alternative.
Kava boosts your mood without the emotional dip
Kava acts in your brain to improve your mood, make you more talkative and sociable but maintains your cognitive abilities. Unlike alcohol, you can still hold clear conversations and carry on doing daily functions. However, due to its sedating qualities, it’s still recommended that you don’t drive a car.
Another benefit is that the relaxing, calm and social feelings you get from kava remain steady while you drink it. This means you feel the same sensations and don’t get the emotional dips that sometimes come with using alcohol including aggression and anger.
There’s no hangover from kava
One of the most infamous effects of alcohol is the hangover. After a night of drinking with friends we are often left feeling groggy, tired, sometimes with a nasty headache or even nausea and vomiting. Hangovers come from dehydration; alcohol is natural diuretic which means it naturally promotes water loss. That’s why you have to use the bathroom so often on your nights out. And despite being a depressant, making you feel really tired when you drink, alcohol actually negatively affects your sleep so you don’t sleep as deeply or restfully as you think.
Kava on the other hand doesn’t dehydrate you. As an alcohol alternative, it doesn’t cause your body to get rid of water at the same rate. It is even known to help promote sleep so you feel refreshed and rested after you drink it. Can you imagine a hangover free morning after a night out? With kava, it’s possible.
Kava isn’t addictive
Although the body effects of alcohol and kava are similar, they work on the body in different ways. While long term use of alcohol can change your brain structure needing more alcohol to get the same feelings, known as building a tolerance, kava doesn’t have that effect.
In fact, kava has a “reverse tolerance” effect. It may take first time kava drinkers several uses before they start to feel the effects. This is because of how your brain adapts to kava and how it works in your brain. While kava itself is not addictive its effects can be habit forming. Users can become attached to the relaxed, calm and euphoric feelings associated with drinking kava. It’s important to maintain a healthy relationship with kava and drink it responsibly.
Now, we want to be clear… We certainly aren’t demonizing alcohol or those who choose to use it. It has a rich history in many countries and cultures when drunk responsibly. And in western cultures it is certainly seen as a social tool when out with friends and family. But for those looking for something a little different, or an alcohol alternative, kava is proving to be an excellent option.
Resources
https://kavasociety.nz/blog/2020/3/4/kava-as-an-alternative-to-alcohol-and-kava-vs-alcohol
