What’s Up with the Kava Hangover?

Some who have enjoyed the pleasant vibes of Kava root a little too much have awakened the next day to find that physical and mental effects are still present. These lethargic, foggy effects are commonly known as the “kava hangover”. A kava hangover feels totally different than an alcohol hangover and is usually much less negative. But it can make you feel slow and low.

This article explores the causes, symptoms, impacts, and details of the kava hangover. And of course, we discuss how to get rid of the hangover!

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Symptoms and Effects of Kava Kava Hangovers

Kava hangovers can have a variety of symptoms, many of them not entirely unpleasant.

Some find that they have a bit of a woozy headache. Often anxiety and energy will remain in a lower state than what would typically be experienced, and the body will feel tired. Lethargy, fogginess, and lack of motivation are common.

Rarely, users will feel nauseous the next day after a large session, though even this is typically much less intense than what can occur if you drink too much alcohol.

Some of these effects may be impacted by the type of kava consumed, the amount of food eaten, and of course, the amount of sleep!

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Tudei Kava and Hangovers

The most typical reason for a kava hangover is that you have imbibed some Kava containing Tudei root. Tudei, aka “Two Day” or Isa kava, has a longer effect duration, as well as a variety of negative connotations. Tudei is considered inferior to Noble kava. It is banned from export from Vanuatu, and is not cultivated in Tonga or Samoa. It is not typically consumed in the pacific islands where Kava consumption is heaviest.

Tudei tends to be weaker in its effects than Noble kavas, and have a larger portion of the DHM kavalactone chemotype, one of the lesser-desirable kavalactones. Additionally, Isas usually contain significant amounts of flavokavain b, the kavalactone most associated with hepatoxicity.

Isa kava has a higher concentration of double-bonded kavalactones than typical Noble kava contains, and it takes the body longer to process these double-bonded molecules. Therefore, Tudei kava stays in the system for a longer duration than pure kava.

However, short of testing every batch of kava that travels around the world, it’s virtually impossible to identify Kava containing Tudei root. Exporters can make more money by bulking up their Kava with some portion of Tudei, similar to the way that Italian olive oil companies mix in inferior olive oils for more profit. Many suppliers test their Kava, and whenever possible I will include those results when talking about various suppliers.

But the reality is that most people are not going to test every batch of kava they purchase and have to trust the suppliers that there’s no Tudei in their kava.

And many suppliers give no information regarding Tudei at all!

How much Kava will cause a hangover?

It is very difficult to identify a threshold amount of kava that will trigger lingering symptoms into the following day. Kava potency is heavily impacted by the quantity of food eaten prior to and during the kava session, and the interaction of food with kava can significantly reduce the effects of kava, and can also prolong the effects of kava.

Preventing Kava Hangovers

One of the best ways to diminish the potential for a kava hangover is to drink a good deal of water while enjoying a kava session. Personally, I find that sparkling water (such as La Croix Passionfruit) works as an excellent chaser for those terrible-tasting kavas.

After a few shells, I typically switch over to a hot, strongly flavored tea with a light meal. Ensuring I get plenty of water, and of course no alcohol. This practice typically lessens kava hangovers.

Kava acts as a diuretic, and replenishing that water as much as possible is a huge benefit.

Sleep and Kava

Kava is a natural sleep aid, and many use it to help transition to sleep. But others find it stimulating, even only to the brain, and will stay up later than normally after a kava session. Add to that the constant exposure to screens and bright blue-cast light, and you have a recipe for a drowsy, blah feeling upon waking.

To avoid hangovers, be sure to get as much sleep as possible when drinking kava, and put those screens down and take a bit of time to meditate for sleep. And be sure to use f.lux or similar systems.

Kava Alcohol Interaction

I follow a very strict policy of not mixing kava and alcohol, due to the potential liver issues associated with that mixing. If I am enjoying kava, I stay away from any alcohol, and vice versa. This seems to be generally a good policy and is quite common among those who regularly drink kava, but it is not universally held.

In the South Pacific, it is common to drink alcohol and kava during the same evening, though typically not enough alcohol to get drunk. There seems to be little evidence of elevated liver problems among those who live in the Pacific Islands. And some traditional ceremonies even feature alcohol as part of the kava experience.

Still, there have clearly been several severe negative reactions to kava over the years, including multiple deaths due to liver failure. Given the fact that kava and alcohol both stress the liver in different ways, prudence suggests that it is unwise to consume both at once and tax the liver.

The Bottom Line on Kava and Alcohol

You have to make your own decision on whether or not to mix kava and alcohol. The difficulty in identifying clear causes in previous kava-associated liver failures makes definitive conclusions impossible at this point.

The bottom line is that it is probably best to keep alcohol and kava separate, and while scientific data could change that conclusion tomorrow, I would still wait to see proof before I mix the two, and give 24 hours before you switch between kava and alcohol.

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How to Cure a Kava Hangover

The most effective way to cure a kava hangover is a little caffeine along with a steady supply of water. Hydration, caffeine consumption, and a hot shower will all help get rid of the brain fog caused by a kava hangover. While it’s probably not dangerous to take pain relievers like Tylenol, most feel that it’s not a great idea to mix these liver-taxing pain relievers with kava.

If you find that you’re frequently having kava hangovers, it may be time to switch up to a different kava.

Be sure you get one that is certified to not have any Tudei, such as Wakakon Lawena Kava (check out our Lawena review here) or Dua Na Bilo Fijian Waka (reviewed here).

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Conclusion

Most people who enjoy kava that is sourced from a high-quality vendor don’t suffer any kava hangover, even after drinking a lot of it. Kava tends to encourage sleep and restful slumber. In contrast to alcohol, which can negatively impact sleep quality, kava tends to improve sleep. Consequently, kava kava is a much better choice than that nightcap!

With kava, you get a mild, calming buzz that lulls you into a deep sleep that makes you feel rejuvenated and restored in the morning.

As long as you choose high-quality kava from a reputable brand, and drink plenty of water, you shouldn’t have a hangover.

If you happen to wake up feeling a bit lethargic, a hot shower, a meal, and some coffee will typically get you going pretty quickly.