Kava Kava....who has used it?

[kallipolis]

A side effects free natural remedy that reduces the effects arising from anxiety and encourages relaxation, is Valerian.

Daily brisk walks and other forms of physical exercise, will also contribute to better quality sleep.

Avoid alcohol.

Kava Kava Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

High doses are considered to be greater than 310 grams/week.

Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or being treated for depression.

Higher doses and long term use can lead to hypertension, reduced protein levels, blood cell abnormalities, liver damage, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, visual impairment, dizziness and dry and scaly skin.

Alcohol consumption increases the toxicity of the pharmacological constituents.

Can cause drowsiness. If this happens, lower your dosage or discontinue taking kava.

It is not recommended for those who intend on driving or where quick reaction time is required

May worsen Parkinson's disease and should not be used by individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Do not take if you are on any other prescription medication.

Do not allow children to take kava kava.

Some doctors have cautioned against use when driving.

 

[Joshua_me]

It's very important to remember that all Kava is not created equal.

'Kavalactones' are the active ingredients, and the percentage of those
and the 'filler' in each pill is the thing.

www.wholehealth.com is a good place to start reading about such things.

Just Google 'Kava Kava' and there's lots and lots to read about, and reliable places to order 'the good stuff' from that may well be better than what's at the corner store.

I've taken Kava in combination with St. John's Wart for my endless waltz with anxiety and depression. They work, somewhat.

Kava gives you a kind of 'mellowed out' feeling that *is* conducive to sleep.
I mean, you won't mistake it for an Ambien, but it *does* help a bit.

If just sleeping well is your goal, go with the above advice and try Valerian.
But, know that you have to take it for about 5 to 7 days every night before it works to it's full effect.

Also, good old over the counter Unisom, especially the liquid gels, can work surprisingly well. But it only takes a few days to build up a tolerance to that stuff. Still, it works well in the short term.

 

[CGHJ]

Tried it once with a buddy in college and it didn't do anything except make me not want to try Kava Kava again.

Safeway generic sleep-aid knock me right the fuck out, as does NyQuil.

 

[pausanias_usa]

Yea, Kava Kava is _bad_ for the liver: as is acetominophen and, of course, alcohol.

Benadryl does the trick for me most of the time; yet, if I'm wired from unpleasantry at work or whatever, it will have the opposite effect!

 

[okiedokie]

i took it for sleep, it made me feel weird when i woke up for a few hours, for sleep use melatone. its natural to the body.

 

[CGHJ]

Benadryl does the trick for me most of the time

LOL yep. they make a quick dissolve tab you put on your tongue like a listerine strip, it'll hit you like a freight train. That shit's stronger than pot brownies. MY pot brownies (that's strong).

 

[rareboy]

Jesus, if you're going to use Benadryl, you might as well get a proper sleep aid from your Doc.

Ask him about Trazadone, which apparently doesn't create dependency but allows an unbroken night's sleep.

Along with caffeine and alcohol in the evening, no msg either. It will wind you up and keep you awake.

 

[G-Lexington]

I have yet to find a sleep aid that works on me as it should. Melatonin gives me eight hours of sleep, but it feels like two. I feel horribly sleepy all day.

I finally gave up, and stick with hot baths, hot tea, and hot sex. If none of those work, I have an absolute fool-proof method to getting to sleep.

Housework.

I'm not kidding. If all else fails, get up and start cleaning. It's amazing how sleepy you feel after washing the fifth dish or so.

Lex

 

[Croynan]

Easy rule: Any medications bought over the counter including aspirin can be harmeful.

Actually you should never quit medication just like that..often the Doc will help you with this.

Dosage in over counter drugs are often to low for you needs so we have tendency to take more to reach the effect wanted.

Seek a doctor advise or your pharmacist.

here's a comment that says it all. why fool around??????????????get some professional advice.

eM.

 

[Joshua_me]

It's also important to note that the pharmaceutical companies, who hate Kava because they can't patent it and profit off of it, were behind most of the studies that showed taking Kava would cause liver damage.

Yes, they were able to come up with five or six examples of patients that had suffered with liver disease, but considering Kava has been used for about 3,000 years... I kinda like those odds.