Why Kava Kava instead of alcohol?
Why is Kava Kava the best alternative to percentages? Check out our simple comparison of 8 reasons why it’s better to choose Kava Kava instead of alcohol!
Do you need to have a drink to relax after a tough day?
Do you need to have a drink to destress and fall asleep faster?
Do you need to have a drink to feel at ease in social situations?
Have a drink of Kava Kava!
KAVA INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL: RELAXATION
RELAXATION AFTER ALCOHOL: GABA
Alcohol relaxes the muscles and has a calming effect, but only for a short period – typically around 2 hours.
“Alcohol has an effect on brain chemistry – it can induce panic because of its effects on GABA, a chemical in the brain that normally has a relaxing effect. Small amounts of alcohol can stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation, but heavy drinking can deplete GABA, causing increased tension and feelings of panic.” – source
RELAXATION AFTER KAVA: GABA
Kava relaxes stress-tensed muscles and naturally enhances the action of GABA.
“This noradrenergic effect differentiates the central biobehavioural effects of kava from those of alcohol and benzodiazepines, while the combination of GABA modulation and increased noradrenergic activation contributes to feelings of physical relaxation with increased hedonic tone, with no deleterious effects on cognition” – source
KAVA VS. ALCOHOL: ANXIETY
ALKOHOL EXACERBATES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSIVE STATES
The use of alcohol can induce new symptoms of anxiety and intensify existing ones. [source]
KAVA HAS ANXIOLYTIC EFFECTS.
Hence, it is known as the “nature’s Xanax” (The New York Times).
Check the research results on the anxiolytic effects of Kava HERE.
KAVA INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL: CLARITY OF MIND
ALCOHOL DULLS THE MIND.
How easily one can cross the sobriety threshold – there’s no need to convince.
How tragically it can end – unfortunately, that’s not a secret either.
KAVA IS RELAXATION AND CLEAR MIND.
The most famous study on cognitive functions after Kava Kava took place in New Zealand. Participants underwent an extreme test: 3.5 liters of Kava consumed over 6 hours.
The study utilized the Brain Gauge method, which measures slight changes in six cognitive abilities: speed, accuracy, temporal order judgment (TOJ), time perception, plasticity, and focus.
It turned out that after 6 hours of drinking Kava, only the temporal order judgment showed negative results. [source]
In another study, it was found that Kava not only does not dull the mind but also improved the accuracy and speed of performing the partial report task and object recognition task, indicating a beneficial effect of the phytopharmakon on visual attention and short-term memory retrieval.” [source]
KAVA VS ALCOHOL: HEALTH
ALCOHOL RAVAGES HEALTH.
There is no safe amount of alcohol! 60 mg of pure alcohol triggers a microstroke in the brain. Any amount of alcohol may have carcinogenic potential! Alcohol also damages the liver.
SAFETY OF KAVA.
As emphasized by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, for UN FAO and WHO:
A recent risk assessment of kava products conducted by WHO showed that “kava has a history of at least 1500 years of relatively safe use,” and side effects on the liver have never appeared in ethnopharmacological data. “Clinical studies of kava have not demonstrated hepatotoxicity as a problem.” Based on available scientific information, it can be inferred that kava, as a traditional beverage, is safe for human consumption. [source]
KAVA VS ALCOHOL: HEALTHY SLEEP
ALCOHOL DISRUPTS HEALTHY SLEEP.
“Alcohol will put you to sleep, but it suppresses REM — or dream — sleep and arouses you later at night. This leads to poor-quality sleep and low daytime energy that you might self-medicate with caffeine, which exacerbates insomnia and demands more alcohol to fall asleep. And now you are stuck in a self-perpetuating downward spiral.” [source]
KAVA ACCELERATES FALLING ASLEEP AND MAY ENHANCE THE DEEP SLEEP PHASE.
To learn more about how Kava promotes the regenerative phase of sleep and a healthy sleep architecture, you can read more HERE.
KAVA VS ALCOHOL: ADDICTION
ALCOHOL IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE.
“It is estimated that globally 237 million men and 46 million women suffer from alcohol use disorders, especially in Europe (14.8% of men and 3.5% of women) and both Americas (11.5% of men and 5.1% of women).” [source]
These are pre-Covid pandemic statistics, which, one can assume, have only worsened these alarming figures.
KAVA VS ALCOHOL: SOCIAL DRINKING
ALCOHOL: SOCIAL DRINKING
If you reach for alcohol to break the ice and make social interactions easier, be careful! Soon, you might find yourself needing alcohol to cope with being alone.
KAVA: SOCIAL DRINKING
Kava is known for fostering honest conversations and building connections. It’s even been traditionally used to resolve disputes in Pacific cultures.
Fortunately, there are no memory gaps or moral hangovers with Kava!
KAVA INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL: HANGOVERS
Hangover from alcohol…
Just the thought of it hurts.
Kava? Kava!
After Kava, there’s not only no moral hangover. There’s no hangover at all!
Photo: Sérgio Alves Santos / Unsplash.com
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