Rankings / Mood, Anxiety & Stress
Kava (Piper methysticum)
Mood, Anxiety & Stress · GABA-A modulator / TRPV1
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Kava (Piper methysticum) as C+ (5.5/10) based on moderate evidence, moderate benefit magnitude, and a med-risk safety profile.
Hepatotoxicity reputation driven by pre-2002 use of acetone/ethanol extracts of stem peelings and basal stumps (higher pipermethystine content).
Typical use: 100-300 mg kavalactones/day — Variable by country — OTC US; heavily regulated/banned in UK, Germany, Australia, Canada.
What this is
Hepatotoxicity reputation driven by pre-2002 use of acetone/ethanol extracts of stem peelings and basal stumps (higher pipermethystine content). Noble cultivar, water-extracted preparations (traditional Polynesian method) appear much safer. Sarris group advocates for use with standardized safer extracts.
Mechanism
Polynesian ceremonial drink; kavalactones (kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin) act at GABA-A, TRPV1, NMDA, dopamine systems; anxiolytic without cognitive impairment of benzodiazepines
Dose & route
100-300 mg kavalactones/day
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23635869/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12493084/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3703330/
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Common questions
- Does Kava (Piper methysticum) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Kava (Piper methysticum) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.5/10). Hepatotoxicity reputation driven by pre-2002 use of acetone/ethanol extracts of stem peelings and basal stumps (higher pipermethystine content).
- Is Kava (Piper methysticum) safe?
- Kava (Piper methysticum) has a med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Variable by country — OTC US; heavily regulated/banned in UK, Germany, Australia, Canada (though bans partially lifted). This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Kava (Piper methysticum)?
- 100-300 mg kavalactones/day
- How does Kava (Piper methysticum) work?
- Polynesian ceremonial drink; kavalactones (kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin) act at GABA-A, TRPV1, NMDA, dopamine systems; anxiolytic without cognitive impairment of benzodiazepines
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.