What is Kava?
Written by: MADELINE FERGUSON
A quick scroll through social media will reveal a growing number of people sharing stories and tips about living a sober-curious lifestyle. Sober curious is for folks who’ve realized drinking alcohol doesn’t make them feel the best and are looking to cut back and maybe cut it out all together.
Upon digging deeper into the sober-curious movement on social media you’ll find that mocktails are growing more and more popular. A mocktail is a mixed drink without alcohol. People use just your average ingredients like juices, syrups and soda water variations but they’re also looking for ways to level up the drinks - like using adaptogenic mushroom blends and something called Kava.
So, What Is Kava?
Before we get into what Kava is, it's important to know that it does have psychological effects when ingested, so if you are totally sober, this may not be for you.
Kava is a plant-based drug or supplement made from the roots of the Kava plant, which is native to the South Pacific region and a member of the pepper family. It is typically consumed as a drink, tincture or pill. If you travel to islands in the South Pacific (like Hawaii) you’ll find Kava bars that sell different concoctions of the substance.
It is common to drink it hot (like tea) and it typically has a bitter taste. In small doses, the effects of kava include muscle relaxation, sleepiness and feelings of wellbeing. A lot of people compare it to cacao, but say the effects are stronger.
The substance is legal in all 50 states and not monitored, so be careful if you plan to purchase Kava and make sure you know what you are getting and do research to ensure you are getting a high-quality product.
Kava has been used for centuries by peoples native to the South Pacific in ceremonies and celebrations. Out of respect, learning the history and cultural significance of a substance before using it is a good practice.
If you want to try Kava, you should also know that long term and habitual use can lead to issues like digestive upset and even liver damage.
How To Drink Kava
A lot of people drink Kava in warm, chocolatey or tea-like beverages. But more and more ways to drink the substance are hitting the market.
You can now find Kava in fruity drink packets that you add to water or sparkling beverages in a variety of flavors.
