Kava Effects: What It Feels Like & How Long It Lasts

What kava tastes like

Traditional kava tastes earthy, peppery, and bitter, and the texture can be a little chalky. Kava is a member of the pepper family, which helps explain the flavor.

That is why many bars serve it with a chaser, such as fruit or juice, or mix it into flavored drinks. If you want to taste plain kava, ask for a small serving first.

What kava feels like

The first thing most people notice is a tingling or numb feeling in the mouth and tongue. After that, people commonly describe feeling relaxed and calm while staying clear-headed enough to talk.

The feeling is not the same for everyone. Variety, plant part, preparation, serving size, and whether you have eaten all change the cup, and some people notice very little on their first try.

How long kava lasts

There is no fixed timeline. Strength varies from bar to bar and drink to drink, so the same number of shells can feel very different in two places.

Start with one shell, wait, and ask staff how strong their serving is before you order another. Do not drive if you feel dizzy, drowsy, or unsteady.

Side effects to know

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health lists digestive upset, headache, and dizziness as possible side effects. Long-term use of high doses can cause kava dermopathy, which means dry, scaly skin and temporary yellowing of the skin, hair, and nails.

Kava products have been linked to rare but sometimes serious liver injury. Don't mix kava with alcohol or sedatives such as benzodiazepines, and talk with a health care provider first if you take medicine or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Research on kava supplements for anxiety is mixed, and MyKavaBar does not make health claims about any drink. Treat a kava bar as a social space, not a treatment.

FAQ

Why does kava make my mouth numb?

Numbness in the mouth and tongue is one of the most common things people notice from kava, and it usually fades on its own.

What does kava taste like?

Earthy, peppery, and bitter. Many people drink it with a fruit or juice chaser, or order a flavored kava drink.

How long does kava last?

It varies with the kava, preparation, serving size, and the person. Start with one shell and ask staff how strong their servings are.

Can I drink kava and alcohol together?

Health agencies advise against it. Kava should not be combined with alcohol or other sedatives.

What are the side effects of kava?

Possible side effects include digestive upset, headache, and dizziness. Rare cases of liver injury have been linked to kava products, and heavy long-term use can cause dry, scaly skin.

Related guides

• Kava safety
• Kavalactones
• What is a kava bar?
• Kava bars in Tampa, FL
• Kava bars in St. Petersburg, FL
• Kava bars in Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Kava bars in Orlando, FL
• Kava bars in Phoenix, AZ
• Kava bars in Austin, TX

Sources

• NCCIH: Kava usefulness and safety
• NIH LiverTox: Kava Kava
• FAO/WHO: Kava safety review

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