So what’s the story… can you drive after drinking kava nectar?
This might be one of the most confusing myths about kava due to its effects when you use it. But it’s all in how it works in the body and brain. For some people, the impact you get from kava and kava nectar makes them feel “high”; it changes how their mind feels.
However, the research shows that there are no actual hallucinogenic properties in kava nectar. The feelings you experience from kava come from how it acts on the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, neurotransmitter system. But how does kava affect your
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 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 done at 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 their head), perception of time, and fatigue. 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. 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 better understand this.
As with other substances like alcohol, quantity matters, and there is evidence that different kava preparations can affect its strength, including kava nectar. For example, smaller doses leave you feeling calm, refreshed, and social, while taking higher doses may give you feelings of bliss, relaxation, and loss of fine motor skills. These higher doses are not recommended and can seriously impair your driving ability. So, like alcohol, there is a limit to how much you should drink 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 nectar, we recommend you take time to understand how kava nectar affects you and your limits. If you are smaller, it will take less kava to feel the effects, like with alcohol. And while kava nectar 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.
