Kava is drunk for primarily one reason; to relax. Not only does kava relax the mind with euphoric effects, it also relaxes muscles. It does this without disrupting mental clarity, unlike alcohol.


The latin name for Kava is “Piper Methysticum”, which translates literally into “intoxicating pepper” in English. The taste is an earthy one which some find slightly unpleasant, and others actually like. As far as research has shown, botanists believe that the not so good taste of kava is a natural inhibitor inside the plant that prevents people from abusing it as a substance. Thus far, very few places on earth have ever reported kava abuse problems. In most places where it is consumed on a daily basis still, kava is a very sacred and respected plant

Immediately after drinking a shell of kava, most users report a numbness on their tongue and lips. This is totally normal and short lasting. The numbness is due to two local, topical anesthetics that are active ingredients inside of the kava root. They are kavain and dihydrokavain.


Kava is quickly becoming the recreational beverage of choice in the south Pacific. Nakamals (kava bars) have been popular social havens in Vanuatu since the late 1980’s. In Noumea, New Caledonia over 200 Nakamals now exist in a city with a population of about 75,000. This popularity is most certainly related to the euphoric effects that kava drinkers get from drinking kava. The euphoric feeling is not like being drunk. It is definitely a feeling that is like no other. Kava is not like alcohol where the consumer feels the effects from drinking it the first time rather quickly. Kava is a substance that does not lend itself to abuse easily. In order for the euphoric kava effects to be felt at a maximum, a period of time must pass in order that the kavalactones build up in the users body. This means that the first time kava is consumed, the effects may only be felt minimally. After three or four kava drinking sessions the effects should start to be felt much more so. As more and more kava is consumed, the effects seem to become greater and greater with less and less consumed.

Kava is a known detoxifier. This is another reason why it is recommended that you acclimate yourself slowly to it. This is also a reason why alcohol should not be consumed with any kava product. Alcohol is a toxin! The effects kava gives when it is mixed with alcohol are undersireable. Everyone acclimates to this kava effect of detoxification after a while and it seems to lessen.


-taken primarily from nakava.com