Kava and kratom are often mentioned in the same breath by people searching for brain-boosting organic supplements. These two plants loosely fit the definition of nootropics, which are substances meant to improve cognitive functions.
They’re both plants from the Eastern world that have been used for centuries to soothe all manner of ailments. They have some key differences, though, which are important to understand if you’re thinking about using one or both substances.
Before we start, we’d like to mention upfront that you should not mix kratom or kava in any way. Pick one or the other at a time!
Okay, let’s get Kracking!
Quick Review of Kratom and Kava
Before examining how kratom and kava are different from each other, it’s important to understand a few basic facts about each substance.
What is kratom?
Kratom is the popularized term for the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree that grows in a few Southeast Asian countries. Most people who consume kratom do so for its calming or stimulating effects. Yes, calming and stimulating are opposites—light consumption of kratom is associated with stimulating and energizing effects, while heavy consumption is more likely to give you a big case of the calmies.
Another notable effect kratom has on people is pain relief. It’s no wonder that kratom is popular among manual laborers in the regions where the tree grows. Some people like to gnaw on the leaves, but an increasingly popular way of ingesting kratom is sprinkling ground-up leaves in beverages. Other consumers use kratom pills or capsules.
Learn More: What is Kratom?
What is kava?
Kava. It kind of sounds like Java, but its effects are quite the opposite of those of coffee. Kava is a plant that grows in a number of Pacific islands. The root of the plant is what provides the desirable effects, which are sedating in nature. Although some people initially feel stimulated after ingesting kava, the vast majority of users slip into a state of relaxation and mild euphoria.
Learn More: What is Kava?
Kava Effects & Benefits
Okay, so why do people use kava and kava-derived substances? For the kavalactones, duh! Kavalactones are the compounds responsible for delivering kava’s soothing properties. It’s thought that kavalactones (of which kava has six) interact with some important parts of the human’s central nervous system.
For instance, we know that some kavalactones meet up with GABA receptors. This linkage can make it more difficult for the brain to send and receive stress messages. We won’t bore you with all the details; just remember: GABA=good vibes.
Potential kava benefits include:
- Relaxation. We’re not just talking about relaxing your mind—kava is known to reduce muscle tension in many users.
- Reduced stress. Many people who regularly experience anxiety or have anxiety disorders self-medicate with kava.
- Sleepiness. Taking a bit more kava than what you’d normally take for simple relaxation might make it easier to doze off at night.
Kava Side Effects
Besides drowsiness and the effects we just listed, kava doesn’t have a whole lot of acute side effects to worry about. You might get a little sleepier than you planned for or experience some nausea, dizziness, or headaches.
Over a longer period of time, though, you may run into some unpleasant or even dangerous health effects, including:
- Liver toxicity
- Delayed reaction time
- Skin rashes
- Appetite loss
- Light sensitivity
- Altered immune function
These side effects aren’t exceedingly common and seem to mainly be associated with long-term use of kava, which is usually described as longer than six months.
How to Use Kava
Using kava is as simple as ingesting it in one of several ways, such as
- Powder: Many users add crushed kava roots to various beverages. Kava tea is a popular vehicle for kava powder consumption.
- Raw: Some users prefer chewing on pieces of kava roots without much alteration to the raw material.
- Supplements: We hear that kava-infused gummies are a fantastic way to get your daily dose of kava.
Kratom Effects & Benefits
There’s little in the way of verified evidence regarding the benefits of kratom, but there’s no shortage of anecdotal evidence.
Potential benefits of kratom include:
- Improved focus. Kratom’s energizing and cognition-boosting effects are closely associated with lower doses. People also report increased physical energy.
- Pain relief. Regular doses of kratom may help ease pain caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions.
- Relaxed mood. Upping your previously energizing kratom dose may provide you with a profound sense of calm, relaxation, and good vibes.
- Opioid withdrawal assistance. Plenty of people have had success alleviating symptoms of opioid withdrawal with kratom.
Kratom Side Effects
Unlike kava, kratom can be habit-forming for some users. You should use kratom with caution to avoid becoming dependent or addicted to the substance.
Some other potential kratom side effects are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
- Slowed breathing
- Seizures (in rare cases)
How to Use Kratom
There’s no right way to use kratom, but it’s good to have options!
- Powder: Many kratom users take capsules filled with kratom powder.
- Tea/Drinks: If you want to make kratom consumption a little more interesting, try putting the powder in drinks or soups. You can also brew the leaves for a nice kratom tea.
- Supplements: What’s not to love about kratom extract infused in a sweet, fruity candy?
Differences Between Kava and Kratom
|
Kava |
Kratom |
|
|
Origin |
Polynesia and other Pacific islands |
Southeast Asia |
|
Effects |
Relaxation, reduced stress, better sleep |
Increased energy and cognition (at lower doses), pain relief, reduced stress, relaxation, opioid withdrawal assistance |
|
Side Effects |
Skin rashes, appetite loss, delayed reaction time, skin rashes, reduced immune function, liver toxicity (rare) |
Nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, sweating, constipation, slowed breathing, tremors or seizures (rare) |
|
Best for: |
Anxiety and insomnia |
Pain, anxiety, fatigue, opioid withdrawal |
|
Consumption methods |
Raw, powder, supplements |
Raw, powder, supplements |
Tips for Safely Using Kava and Kratom
We recommend following the tips below to reduce your chances of an unpleasant encounter with kava or kratom.
Start low and slow.
As with almost any new drug or substance, starting at a lower dose is the way to go. Less than five grams of kratom can produce energizing effects, so you may want to start out taking 2–4 grams per day (if you even want to take them every day at first). You may be able to work up to 15 grams per day.
It’s also wise to start slow with kava. Taking 250 milligrams of kavalactones each day is a good starting point, though you may prefer using kava every other day. It’s best to avoid using kava or kratom for more than a few months at a time.
Shop smart.
Kava is legal in all 50 U.S. states, making it a little easier to find trustworthy vendors. Kratom, on the other hand, is fully outlawed in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, along with dozens of counties and municipalities nationwide. We don’t recommend purchasing kratom products from an underground vendor.
Consult a doctor.
To be safe, you should always ask your doctor if certain substances may be dangerous for you to take. The Gold Dragon CBD cannot guarantee your safety with any of our kava or kratom products, as we are not medical professionals.
Use products as directed.
Follow the instructions on your product’s packaging for best results. Taking more than is recommended can lead to a range of unpleasant or dangerous symptoms. We also would not recommend mixing kava and kratom in any way.
Buy Kava and Kratom at The Gold Dragon CBD
Countless people have realized profound benefits from using kava and kratom products. Both substances are known to induce feelings of relaxation—something we could all use from time to time. Conversely, lower doses of kratom might help you feel energized and focused (but not necessarily stressed).
Being aware of the side effects of kava and kratom provides a more comprehensive perspective on the potential benefits and risks of these substances. The chances of dangerous health effects are rare, but only you can decide what you put in your body!
If you’re interested in trying some tasty kava or kratom supplements, The Gold Dragon CBD is the place to go. To see all of our Gold Dragon kava and kratom products in one place, click here.
