Anyone here ever tried kava?

[manlymatt83]

I was researching it and it looks pretty cool. There are some studies that show it may cause liver damage, but Amazon.com sells the stuff in powder form and says it can be added to tea... I highly doubt they'd be able to pull it off if people weren't reacting well to it.

Has anyone here tried it? Anyone use it regularly?

 

[lxskllr]

No, but keep in mind sale != safe. Do some proper research before dumping foreign substances in your body.

 

[7window]

tried it once and it knocked me out. Its good stuff

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Yes I've had it in Fiji.

It's not a "have in tea" kind of thing. It's a ceremonial/group social thing. People just don't drink it. You're meant to make it in a big vat and sloth it around with an old tea towel. It tastes gross and just looks like dirty water. It has no effects such as alcohol, anyone that says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about. It only really numbs your tongue.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Yes I've had it in Fiji.

It's not a "have in tea" kind of thing. It's a ceremonial/group social thing. People just don't drink it. You're meant to make it in a big vat and sloth it around with an old tea towel. It tastes gross and just looks like dirty water. It has no effects such as alcohol, anyone that says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about. It only really numbs your tongue.

Whats the point of it then if it taste like crap and only numbs your tongue?

 

[Bubbaleone]

I participated in several kava ceremonies on Pohnpei where the kava was made from freshly ground root and passed around in freshly split coconuts. My tongue and lips getting numb after about ten minutes was followed by about four hours of what I'd describe as similar to taking a mild benzo. I'd say that the quality and freshness of the root, and the amount of concentration in the drink has everything to do with it's effect on you.

 

[Leros]

What is the point of Kava? Is it supposed to relax you in the same way that a few alcoholic drinks would?

 

[Bubbaleone]

It's a ceremonial/social gathering (party!) where everybody get's mildly high and laid back; not really much different from having a kegger at the beach with your buddies...minus the beer and fights. The effect is similar to valium rather than alcohol.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Sounds interesting.. just ordered some from amazon to give it a try.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Just remember you don't have a cup and off you go. people sit around for hours drinking it. You don't just slam back a cup and BAM you're relaxed.

 

[Juddog]

It's a ceremonial/social gathering (party!) where everybody get's mildly high and laid back; not really much different from having a kegger at the beach with your buddies...minus the beer and fights. The effect is similar to valium rather than alcohol.

^^ This echoes my experiences with it as well. Your tongue / lips feel slightly numb, it's a very mild hallucinogenic, and generally makes you feel very relaxed for a few hours afterwards.

It tastes / looks like a bunch of muddy / sandy bits in water, and the taste reminds me of swimming on the beech and getting sand in your mouth when diving too close to the bottom.