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Kava is remarkably safe,
but it is not a totally free ride. Kava potentiates
alcohol, which means that alcohol and kava can cause
unexpected effects. Kava will make one drink feel like
three, so there can be kava dangers, just like anything
else, if taken in excess. Also, if you are currently
using anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants, you should
consult a physician who is expert in the use of kava
before trying it on your own.
We don't know all the interactions that kava has with
other drugs. As a rule, pregnant and lactating women
should avoid using kava simply to err on the safe side.
There is no evidence of harm resulting from kava use
during pregnancy and lactation, but better safe than
sorry.
If used in great excess, kava can cause what is known as
kava-induced dermopathy, a patchy scaling of the skin. I
have seen this on some heavy daily kava drinkers, but I
have never known this to occur among users of kava
supplements. The condition appears to be harmless, and
it goes away when kava use is suspended. I was once a
guest on a national television newscast during which a
very well known doctor warned that kava can cause
yellowing of teeth, nails, and hair. This is a fantasy.
There may be kava dangers, but this is not one of them.
If you are going to use kava in large quantities for
pleasure, I recommend that you do not operate a car or
heavy machinery at the same time. In June of 2000, a man
was arrested on Highway 101 in San Mateo County,
California, after consuming 23 cups of kava. That's a
hell of a lot of kava. He was acquitted because jurors
were not familiar with kava.
Excerpted from "Psyche Delicacies" by Chris Kilham. |
