What are the active ingredients in kava?
The active ingredients in kava are compounds called “kavalactones”. There are six major kavalactones, and it is due to a combination and differing proportion of them that the strength and diversity of kava’s psychoactive/physical effects will vary. Some effects are commonly described as states of tranquility, happy unconcern, sociability, well-being and contentment. Click here to see a description of the six major kavalactones and their effects. Piper methysticum has many different genotypes (rootstalk). Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, etc. all have their favorite acclimatized varieties. Each type has different amounts of active ingredients in varying proportions. Like all plants, Piper methysticum will exhibit varying traits (strengths and effects) depending on where the plant was grown and what growing conditions it has been through. Most kava produces a “body numbing” or muscle relaxant type of effect, and others are special in that they have more of a “cerebral” effect or head
