Learning & education: Kava
Kavain is a psychoactive compound produced by the pepper plant kava or kava kava (also known as Piper methysticum), which is found to grow in the Pacific Islands. It is the principal kavalactone present in the kava plant roots.
Anxiety presents a considerable burden to healthcare services and infrastructure globally, with the annual cost of anxiety disorders estimated at $42.3 billion ($1542 per patient) in 1990 [4].
This article explores some of the traditional methods of treating anxiety, drawbacks of their use, and presents evidence for the use of kava as a natural alternative to these strategies.
Kava first came to the west in the form of kava bars where patrons were served various drinks with kava in them as an alternative to alcohol (you’ll see why below). It was also used as a short-acting anesthetic because of its well-known mild numbing effect on mucosal surfaces.