Kava Versus Alcohol: Which One Is Better for Relaxation?

As it has done for centuries, Kava remains a considerable part of social and ceremonial gatherings in Pacific Island cultures. Those who use it suggest that, apart from promoting meaningful connections, usage of this plant leads to relaxation.

Recently, however, there’s been a growing trend toward using kava as an alternative to alcohol. After all, it’s often claimed that kava provides a similar relaxing effect without concerns over intoxication or hangovers. Does kava deserve greater consideration among Australians seeking healthier, low-calorie beverages for socialising and unwinding?

Below, I compare kava with alcohol, focusing on their respective impacts on your mood and body and their effects on your liver. I also investigate the potential risks associated with kava use.

How Does Kava Compare to Alcohol in Terms of Effects?

There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get to it!

How They Make You Feel

One of the most notorious adverse effects of alcohol is the dreaded hangover. Anyone who has ever overindulged knows the feeling of waking up in the morning, feeling as if rogue monkeys have escaped from the zoo and are playing drums inside your head. You lift your head off the pillow only to be assaulted by nausea and a mouth drier than the sands of the Sahara.

You see, alcohol dehydrates the body and disrupts electrolyte balance. This is one of the reasons why you get headaches, nausea, and fatigue the day after using too much of it.

Kava, on the other hand, doesn’t dehydrate the body. It also doesn’t produce toxic byproducts like acetaldehyde, which are major contributors to hangovers. Therefore, if you plan to wake up early the next day or want to feel refreshed when you get out of bed, kava is the superior choice.

In addition, alcohol impacts your reaction time, motor skills, and cognitive function. By contrast, kava seemingly helps you relax without negatively affecting your mental clarity or coordination.

Overall, alcohol’s effects are unpredictable and can vary significantly depending on the type and the amount you consume. For instance, how you feel after a night on the beer is likely different from the outcome if you drink vodka.

Generally speaking, kava offers a more consistent experience, often characterised by a feeling of tranquillity that lets you unwind without losing control.

Social Experience & Sleep

Pretty much everyone views alcohol as a “social lubricant.” It can help lower inhibitions and make you feel chattier and more confident. However, this isn’t always the case. For some people, alcohol results in them feeling morose. Such individuals would rather do anything other than socialise. Also, alcohol is known for impairing judgment, causing aggressive behaviour, and generally ensuring you make stupid decisions.

Kava creates an entirely different social experience. Typically, users feel calm and euphoric and enjoy an enhanced connection with themselves and others. In Pacific cultures, kava is associated with peaceful, respectful interactions, a stark contrast to the belligerent behaviour of people who consume too much alcohol.

It’s also worth noting that alcohol disrupts your natural sleep cycle, particularly the REM stage. As a result, you tend to get poor-quality rest and wake up feeling fatigued. Kava promotes a sense of calm without interfering with sleep patterns.

Other Impacts

Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and cocktails, may contain hundreds of calories per serving. Moreover, they are “empty” calories insofar as they offer zero nutritional benefits. Kava is low in calories, so you don’t have to worry about your waistline!

Finally, alcohol may provide relaxation and euphoria in the short term, but there are long-term risks to consider. These include addiction, mental health issues, and a host of chronic diseases, not to mention serious damage to your liver. Kava’s benefits go beyond relaxation, potentially including better focus and more restful sleep.

Kava, Alcohol & Your Liver

Concerns over kava’s impact on the liver primarily relate to isolated cases of liver toxicity reported in the early 2000s. However, it turns out that this is one of the many myths associated with kava.

Subsequent investigations showed that most, if not all, of these cases were probably linked to low-quality kava products, improper processing, or the incorrect use of the plant (consuming parts of the plant that aren’t normally used, such as leaves and stems).

In reality, if you use high-quality kava products made exclusively from the plant’s root, the available evidence suggests that when used in moderation, kava is relatively safe.

No such mitigation exists when it comes to alcohol. Regular alcohol consumption can result in conditions such as cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and alcoholic hepatitis. The toxic metabolite in alcohol, acetaldehyde, directly damages liver cells and promotes inflammation. Over time, this can cause irreversible damage.

Some studies suggest that kava has protective effects on the liver, assuming you use it responsibly. Indeed, there’s scant evidence that traditional kava usage in Pacific cultures has led to widespread liver damage. Therefore, it seems that if you prepare and use kava properly, it is far less harmful to the liver than alcohol.

What Are the Known Risks Associated with Kava?

Of course, kava is not the ‘perfect’ product, and there are some potential risks. For instance, it can interact with medications and substances that impact the central nervous system (CNS). For example, it’s a bad idea to combine kava with antidepressants, sedatives, or anti-anxiety drugs, as you could amplify the sedative effects.

It’s also unwise to consume kava and alcohol together. Doing this could strain the liver and enhance the risk of adverse effects. Always consult with a medical professional if you use drugs metabolized by the liver or if you have a pre-existing liver condition before using kava.

In addition, I must point out that kava products aren’t subject to the same strict regulations as pharmaceutical products. Consequently, ensure you only use products from reputable brands, such as Premium Jane.

Also, people can develop a psychological dependence on kava, mainly if used as a coping mechanism. That being said, there is no evidence of withdrawal symptoms when someone who uses kava regularly decides to stop.

Finally, there are some side effects linked with kava use. For instance, heavy, frequent plant use could result in a reversible skin condition involving dry, scaly patches. If you haven’t tried the kava beverage before, you may experience nausea or an upset stomach. This is a great reason to try gummies instead! Also, in some cases, kava’s relaxing effects can lead to drowsiness, so don’t use it before operating heavy machinery.

Relax Responsibly: Is Kava the Future of Social Drinking?

Kava and alcohol serve different purposes and have unique effects on the body and mind. Kava is an excellent option if you want a low-calorie alternative to alcohol that helps relax the body and mind. In general, it is widely believed that kava is the better option. However, you should still use it responsibly and understand the potential risks, which include drowsiness and interactions with medications.

As long as you choose high-quality kava products, such as what we sell at Premium Jane, and use them in moderation, you can enjoy the benefits while minimising any downsides.