Kava eases anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to some situations in life but we all know that it can get out of control. By definition, anxiety is a feeling of fear, unease and worry. When this apprehension becomes chronic and debilitating then negative physical and psychological effects can arise, which is why so many anti-anxiety medications are available. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a complex disorder and pharmaceutical medications have a modest effect. According to a new study though, the plant kava might have something to offer in treating anxiety.

Kava is a drug made from the ground roots of the plant Piper methysticum, a member of the pepper family that also includes black pepper. Kava is traditionally consumed as a drink in Pacific Island cultures. The crushed, ground or powdered root is added to water and drunk like tea.

Kava contains kava lactones that are absorbed through the stomach wall into the bloodstream and reach the brain relatively quickly. In the brain, these lactones produce similar symptoms to drunkenness, including staggering and an inability to talk properly. In small doses, its effects also include muscle relaxation, sleepiness and feelings of wellbeing.

However, long-term use of kava can lead to a range of health problems including malnutrition, weight loss and apathy. So there should be no attempt to use kava to self-medicate. A new study has, however, shown some promising results for using kava for anxiety in supplement form.

For the study conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne, people with clinically diagnosed GAD were given placebo or a kava supplement. Those given kava were given tablets twice a day amounting to 120mg of kavalactones. If after three weeks a person was not responding to that dose, it was doubled for a second three-week period.

Results showed that kava use significantly reduced anxiety without any adverse affects on liver function (as have been raised with kava use in the past). Overall, there were no adverse reactions to kava and there was no withdrawal or addiction.

The researchers say that kava might offer a potential natural treatment option for long-term clinical anxiety without dependency or side-effects. Although natural, kava is not without dangers, so you need to use it under the advice of a healthcare practitioner, but at least if you do that you won’t need to be anxious about dependency.