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Kava

Kava Reviews, Recommendations, And Explainers

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Kava is an herb indigenous to the Pacific islands, best known for its psychoactive effects, which most commonly include sedation and euphoria. Kava – piper methysticum is its scientific name – is traditionally consumed as a beverage from the ground kava root of the kava plant. Kava can also be chewed.

Kava – also referred to on the Unwinder as “whole kava root”, “herbal kava”, “kava herb” “kava root”, “kava kava”, and other similar variations – has recently become popular in the West, partly due to the emergence of kava kava bars, where people can gather in public and drink kava in a social setting. Kava drinkers typically find high quality kava to be relaxing and decrease social anxiety. It’s also used for sleep.

Our coverage on kava aims to be comprehensive. Here you’ll find articles that answer common questions about kava such as “what does kava feel like?”, “what is kava good for?” “what does kava taste like?” and more.

It’s important to know that there are two main types of kava—and that you almost always want to go with one of them. Noble kava tends to reduce stress, have fewer side effects, and is shorter lasting. Tudei kava is associated with harsher side effects, and is more sedative. We will almost always recommend taking noble kava.

There are also different ways to consume kava. There is kavalactone (the ‘active ingredient’ in kava) extract, powdered kava root, kava drink mix (or micronized kava), and sublingual kava (kava drops or kava tinctures). You’ll find our reviews, info, and recommendation on all of these, and more, below.

Our Recommendation

Drink Root Instant Kava (Micronized Kava)

Like many supplements, the kava world is full of sketchy brands with incomplete and unhelpful labeling, dubiously-sourced product, and harsh extraction methods. As far as we can tell, though, Drink Root is NONE of these. In fact, Drink Root is quite the opposite. Their kava is small-batch and single-origin, and they’ll email you the lab results of the current batch if you email them. Drink Root’s kava is extracted with water, unlike many kava supplements which are extracted with chemical solvents such as ethanol. It’s also just super easy to take—just mix it in water. That’s more than you can say about a lot of kava products, which require you to make a tea out of the powder with a special strainer. If you’re just getting into kava and want a recommendation, Drink Root’s kava is an excellent, no-nonsense buy to dip your toes in.

Shop Drink Root kava at amazon.com

Kava Supplements

How Long Does Kava Last? And How Long Does It Take For Kava To Kick In?

September 3, 2022

Insights Kava Natural Supplements

Is Kava Addictive? A Quick Explainer On Safe Kava Use

July 21, 2022

There is no evidence that kava is addictive. However, some people may develop a dependence on kava, which can lead to negative consequences. Why do some people develop a dependence on kava? People who develop…

Insights Kava Kratom Natural

Kava Vs. Kratom: Similarities And Differences

March 11, 2022

Pharmaceuticals aren’t the only answer when it comes to reducing your stress levels – kratom and kava are also viable options, and here I’ll compare them in full.

Insights Kava Natural

What Is Kava? We Explain Everything You Need To Know

February 10, 2022

Ever wondered about the health benefits of kava? Here, we’ll provide further insight into its benefits, potential side effects, and review the best kava products.

Kava Natural Reviews

Our Instant Kava Review: What Is It And Where Can You Buy The Best Instant Kava Powder?

February 2, 2022

Instant kava is like instant coffee, you just need to mix it with water and it’s ready to drink. Here, we review the best instant kava brands including Drink Root.

Kava Natural Supplements

What Is The Kava High Like?

May 24, 2021

Kava Natural Supplements

Preparing Kava: The Best Way To Take Kava

May 24, 2021

Our guide to preparing kava tea and micronized kava, as well as recipes to make with kava.

Kava Natural Science Supplements

What You Need To Know About Kava Side Effects: Kava Headache, Kava And Liver, And More

April 19, 2021

Learn about kava side effects, drug interactions, kava liver damage, legality, driving on kava, nausea, how much kava is too much, kava skin rash and more

Kava Natural Science Supplements

How Does Kava Work? The Science Behind Kava, Stress Relief, Depression, Opiate Withdrawal, And Other (Supposed) Benefits Of Kava

March 29, 2021

How effective is kava for opiate withdrawal, pain, sleep, depression, and anxiety? We look at the science behind the benefits of kava.

Kava Natural Reviews Stress

What’s The Best Kava Supplement? Here Are Our 5 Recommendations

March 25, 2021

How many kava capsules to take, and how much kava concentrate and kava drops to drink, to get 100-250 mg of kavalactones.