Kava is made up of chemicals called kavalactones. These are the active components of kava that act on the brain and are linked to the neuroprotective effects of kava. There are six that are known to be the most involved with kavas beneficial effects:
- Methysticin (M)
- Dihydromethysticin (DHM)
- Kavain/kawain (K)
- Dihydrokavain/kawain (DKM)
- Demethoxyyangonin (DMY)
- Yangonin (Y)
Each has slightly different properties and, when combined, has two distinct effects: heady and heavy. Heady kavas affect your mind more than your body, whereas heavy kavas have a stronger effect on your body.
The neuroprotective properties of GABA
While the effect of kavalactones on the GABA system is well known, research also suggests they have other neuroprotective effects beyond that. There seem to be three main ways kavalactones are neuroprotective.
The first is by interrupting inflammatory pathways. While it’s a natural response to pain and injury, chronic inflammation, when the response is continuous, can have significant health implications. Chronic inflammation can come from environmental factors like stress, germs, and chemicals or from physical injury and disease. In this case, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, or 38 MAPK, is triggered when there is stress and inflammation in the body. When 38 MAPK is around, another molecule called NF-kB (nuclear factor-kappaB) is activated, increasing inflammation levels. Kavalactones interfere with this pathway by controlling the levels of 38 MAPK when there is too much stress and preventing Nf-kB from causing more inflammation. In the brain, inflammation has been linked to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease.
Kavalactones also work by decreasing levels of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by too many damage-causing molecules in cells. This can be from eating high-fat and processed food, sugar, pollution, certain medications, and drinking alcohol. Research suggests that kavalactones can impact the oxidative stress pathway by triggering a molecule called Nrf2, which protects cells from the damage of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is another contributing factor to brain aging disease.
Certain kavalactones act in different ways. For example, kavain may affect the pathways of monoamine oxidases (MOAs), which are key targets in treating mental health and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. MOAs are important metabolic components that keep neurotransmitters and amino acids in balance. They can also stimulate oxidative stress that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Kavain acts by inhibiting MOAs, lowering oxidative stress and inflammation levels, and protecting the brain from aging.
What this means for us long term
We are always getting older, and that is the unfortunate truth. This particularly applies to our brains. Many people don’t think about how our food, environment, or stress levels affect our brain health. It’s easy to forget when so much of what our brain does happens automatically.
Our brains, like our bodies, naturally age. In some cases, we are more at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. The neuroprotective effects of kava, for instance, can help us support our brains by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
* 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.
