Kava Kava
Kava Kava, known as piper methysticum, has been used traditionally for quick relief from headaches and nervousness. It is believed that Kava Kava originated in Indonesia, and eventually spread to other islands within the region. The local populations of the pacific region often consume Kava Kava in liquid form for its anti-anxiety promoting and "intoxicating" effects.
Kava is a mild sedative that rapidly targets the central nervous system. It is believed that Kavalactones, the active constituents of the root, bind to specific receptors in the brain, particularly in the amygdala and limbic system. It is this effect that researchers believe is behind Kava's ability to help relax nervous, restless and anxious behavior.
As a mild anti-anxiety medicine, Kava Kava's rapid assimilation in the gastrointestinal tract make it quickly available in the brain, helping to provide a fast-acting, natural sedation. Two of the effects reported by kava users are a heightening of the senses and a more relaxed, sociable state of mind.
In two recent clinical studies, Kava was shown to be an effective stress mitigating compound and also to help relieve sleep difficulty and improve poor sleep quality.
The results from over 700 Kava patients in clinical settings was meta-analyzed and found that kava kava is superior to placebo, and is a safe symptomatic treatment for anxiety. While the FDA has not approved Kava Kava for treatment of anxiety, there is strong potential in Kava as a first line defense supplement for relief of mild nervousness, restless and anxious behavior.
In March, 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer advisory stating that Kava-containing dietary supplements may be associated with severe liver damage. Kava-containing products have been associated with liver-related injuries – including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure -- in over 25 reports of adverse events in other countries. Four patients required liver transplants. In the U.S., FDA has received a report of a previously healthy young female who required liver transplantation, as well as several reports of liver-related injuries. FDA urges consumers and their health care professionals to report any cases of liver problems and other injuries that may be related to the use of dietary supplements containing Kava.
These reports, though supported in part by case studies, have not led the FDA to ban Kava Kava as a dietary supplement in the United States due to the lack of supporting evidence for the reports originating in non-US clinical studies. FDA will continue to investigate the relationship, if any, between the use of dietary supplements containing kava and liver problems.
All available data concerning the safety of Kava Kava was critically reviewed, analyzed and evaluated. Some 10,000 participants, including those who participated in in controlled clinical trials and non-controlled clinical studies were surveyed in the study. The report indicates that Kava extracts were well-tolerated and side effects were rare and transient, or mild when they did occur. Analysts concluded that out of approximately 10,000 clinical study participants, less than 1% reported unwanted side effects; the majority of adverse reactions reported were related to gastrointestinal (GI) complaints and stomach upset.
**NOTE - Kava Kava should not be taken as a treatment for Anxiety. Kava is a dietary supplement that can provide some level of emotional support, but only a qualified medical professional can diagnose and treat anxiety related disorder.
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Emotional Wellness Resources on the Web:
123 Feel Better Life Change System [123FeelBetter.net]
The Wellness Channel [TheWellnessChannel.us]
Health and Wellness Articles, Tips and Resources [InsightJournal.com]
Herbs and Vitamins for Anxiety [InsightJournal.com]
Alternative Medicines That Can Help [TheHealthCenter.info]
Anxiety Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Stress Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Depression Resource Center [InsightJournal.com]
Social Anxiety Guide to Emotional Wellness [NCHW]
Adapted with permission from The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). NIMH is a component of the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The resources in this section of our website are provided for informational purposes only. The Clarocet brand of products consists of nutritional dietary supplements that are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder.
