Kava is a drug that is used orally for managing stress-related disorders and anxiety, migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders and depression. It is also reported to treat urinary tract infection, uteritis, and menstrual soreness but it has little research evidence.
Kratom, a potent drug used for relieving chronic pain, managing opiate withdrawal symptoms and for recreational purposes is used commonly in different parts of the world. Kratom and Kava are mixed to potentiate each other’s effects. The mixture of Kratom and Kava is used to get increased relaxation and more efficient relief from pain.
What is Kava?
It is a narcotic tea-like drink that is made from the roots of Kava, having more than 18 kavalactones responsible for producing effects like euphoria, relaxation, and sedation. These kavalactones also help in alleviating anxiety, pain and as anticonvulsants and hypnotics.
The most widespread feelings that one gets due to consumption of Kava include a sense of well-being, calmness, and relaxed mood. Users initially experience a period where they are highly talkative and socializing, but later onward they get drowsy.
What is Kratom?
Kratom has a long history of traditional and medicinal use. The leaves of Kratom are mainly used in treating patients with generalized anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and also help in the withdrawal of opiate. It behaves similarly to opiates as it gets attached to opioid receptors. It can cause severe dependence if consumed in high doses continuously and causes severe withdrawal symptoms.
Kava-Kratom Mixture PROS
Kava and Kratom are often compared because of these drugs exude feelings of relaxation, and relieving anxiety. However, Kratom has more effects that result in boosting mood and calming the mind. Kava causes intoxication and euphoria. Both drugs when used simultaneously create strong effects that include induction of intense euphoria, promoting feelings of contentment, improving alertness, reducing stress.
The pros of using the two drugs together include the following;
- Significant reduction in anxiety
- The intense feeling of well being after being exposed to a stressful environment
- Increase in cognition
- Improves sleep
- Help fight depression
- Enhancement in mood due to stimulation of serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways
- Significant relief from pain
Kava-Kratom Mixture CONS
Kava and Kratom are both responsible for serious health risks, and their consumption has been strictly regulated around the globe. Recently the use of Kratom in the US has been banned for human consumption. Kava, on the other hand, is known for causing severe hepatotoxicity.
The cons of using the mixture of Kava and Kratom include the following;
- Risk of interaction with several other medicinal drugs including diuretics and anxiolytics.
- If combined with alcohol, it can cause liver cirrhosis.
- Excessive dosage is responsible for the hepatic and renal failure.
Individually Kava has several side effects that can be potentiated if mixed with Kratom. Dr. Pat Basu, Chief Medical Officer, states that Kava aggravates hepatitis and hepatic diseases. It causes damage to renal glomeruli and thus one can experience bloody urine. The dermatological side effects include dry, scaly yellow skin. One can also experience weight loss and body tremors due to excessive consumption of Kava.
He also reveals the dangers of intake of Kratom, which includes respiratory depression due to excessive sedation, tremors, and hallucinations, psychosis, and delusions. It can also cause mood swings as Kratom effects brain pathways that control mood. It may also cause vomiting and nausea. It reduces appetite causing weight loss.
Mixing the two drugs can have dangerous outcomes that may result in death too if the doses of the drugs are too high. So using the mixture of Kava and Kratom is highly concerning.
How to take a safe dosage of Kava and Kratom mixture?
According to users on Reddit, there are various ways to make the combination of Kava and Kratom supplements. One way is to blend the two drugs with milk and then filter it to remove the residual splintery fibers and chunks of roots. The other method is to take Kratom first on an empty stomach and after some time wash down Kava, and then eat some food, to remove the aftertaste.
One user suggested taking some digestive enzymes after ingesting the mixture of Kratom and Kava. This will help in the digestion of alkaloids, and the effects will show up rapidly. The safe dosage depends on you. You should be well aware of the two drugs individually. You should not just start by mixing the two drugs. Users on Reddit and drugs forum claimed that a safe dosage for Kratom is around 2-6g while the dose for Kava it is 15 to 25g.
It is important that you be careful about the dose of the mixture of Kratom and Kava. Do not mix this stack with any other drugs, including alcohol. Moreover, you should use it in a limited manner so that you do not develop tolerance to it.
If used appropriately, Kratom and Kava mixture could be safe to combine and consume, not everyone will have the same reaction. In case you suffer from any of the side effects mentioned above, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Never take this mixture if you are pregnant or breastfeeding your child. It is also recommended not to take this combination if you suffer from liver-related ailments as it can exacerbate the symptoms.
