Tossing? Turning? Worrying? Checking the clock every hour wondering when you’ll finally fall asleep?
Soothe anxiety and be out like a light tonight with kava!
Stress and anxiety often feed off each other and keep you from getting the sleep you need. At some point it’s hard to tell whether you’re having trouble sleeping because you’re anxious, or you’re anxious because you can’t sleep.
If you’re caught in this vicious cycle of anxiety and insomnia, read on to discover why using kava for sleep and anxiety offers an all-natural option for putting stress to rest.
What is Anxiety-Induced Insomnia?
Anxiety-induced insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs when a persistent sense of worry, dread or apprehension makes one unable to relax, unwind, and ultimately fall asleep or stay asleep.
If you go to bed feeling anxious, whether you’re worried about work or something in your personal life, lying in bed without any distractions can leave your mind spinning over your worries. This can lead to anxiety building and your body’s “fight or flight” response being activated. This heightened sense of anxiety is our body’s way of protecting us and causes physical changes, like an increased heart rate and the release of adrenaline. If your anxiety triggers your fight or flight response while you’re in bed, these changes can overstimulate your body making it nearly impossible to drift off to sleep.
Fortunately, we’ve got just the trick up our sleeves to combat this: kava.
Roots to the Rescue: Can Kava Help with Sleep and Anxiety?
The short answer: absolutely!
But how exactly does kava work to help you feel calmer and sleep better? Let’s break down the science behind kava.
What is Kava?
Draped in ancient Polynesian tradition and history and steeped in modern scientific intrigue, a humble root emerges as an unlikely hero in the quest for blissful slumber. Kava, also known as Piper methysticum, is a plant native to the South Pacific, grown on islands such as Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
A cornerstone of Pacific island culture for centuries, this unassuming plant has long been valued for its ability to promote relaxation and social bonding. When the root and stump of the kava plant are ground down, made into a drink, and consumed, the effects of kava’s active ingredients—kavalactones— help promote physical and mental relaxation, which are especially beneficial in fostering sleep. In recent years, as the search for natural sleep aid has intensified, kava has garnered renewed attention from both researchers and individuals seeking alternatives to conventional sleep medications.
Understanding Kava and its Properties
To better understand kava’s uncanny ability to help calm your mind and prepare you for bed, you must first understand the science and power behind kava’s active ingredient–kavalactones.
Concentrated in kava’s rootstock and roots, kavalactones are a group of compounds that interact with the body’s limbic system, the part of our brains in charge of regulating emotions, emotional behavior, and motivation. These parts are thought to be responsible for the positive effects of the root. The kavalactones work similarly to a central nervous system depressant, directly interacting with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors. These interactions are believed to contribute to kava’s calming and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
The Benefits of Using Kava for Sleep and Anxiety
Of the one third of Americans who don’t get enough sleep, some studies suggest that 24-36% also struggle with an anxiety disorder. With stats like that, it’s no wonder that our society is inundated with options for treating anxiety and sleep. From prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, and natural remedies, the choices are endless.
We may be biased, but at Kalm with Kava we believe that choosing natural vs otc sleep aids—like kava— is the best method to quell anxiety and promote better sleep. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s a list of reasons why someone might consider taking kava to help them sleep:
- Natural Relaxation: Kava is one of the best herbal sleep aids available. Unlike OTC sleep aids, kava promotes relaxation without the use of synthetic chemicals. Kava is completely plant-based, making it a natural option for those looking to unwind.
- Non-Habit Forming: Unlike some prescription and otc sleep aids, kava is non-addictive and actually has a reverse-tolerance effect, which minimizes the risk of forming dependency.
- Muscle Relaxation: Kava has natural muscle-relaxing properties, which can be beneficial for those whose sleep is disturbed by stress-induced stiff, sore, or restless muscles.
- Holistic Benefits: Beyond aiding sleep, kava can also enhance overall well-being by soothing stress and helping to boost your mood, contributing to a more relaxed state.
- Cultural Credibility: As a widely used traditional medicine in many Pacific cultures, kava is backed by centuries of use, adding to its trustworthiness as a helpful sleep aid.
- Alternative to Alcohol: For those who might use alcohol to unwind before bed, kava offers a non-alcoholic alternative that can promote relaxation without the negative side effects associated with alcohol consumption.
Kava Safety: Separating Fact from Fiction
Historically speaking, native Pacific islanders have safely been consuming kava for centuries. But in recent years, several “myths” have circulated concerning kava’s safety. Don’t get tricked by online misinformation. Let’s cut through the noise and give you the facts.
The Kava Liver Damage Myth
About 15 years ago, some studies emerged that suggested a potential link between kava consumption and liver damage. These studies were later found to be flawed, however. Reviews indicated that reported liver toxicity was often related to the consumption of substances other than kava or the use of non-traditional parts of the kava plant not typically consumed.
Recent evaluations, including a significant study by the World Health Organization, have clarified that kava, when consumed as a traditional beverage, does not contribute to liver damage. This study and others suggest that the risk of liver injury from kava is exceptionally low.
Kava Safety Tips
To fully experience and enjoy kava’s calming effects, it’s important to follow a few guidelines:
- Only Drink Noble Kava: It’s the ONLY type of kava sold at Kalm with Kava, as it contains lower levels of harmful compounds called flavokavains. Noble kava is generally well-tolerated compared to Tudei kava, which can provoke nausea and vomiting.
- Buy from Trusted Sources: Ensure your kava is sourced from reliable vendors who provide quality-tested products, like Kalm with Kava.
- Consume on an Empty Stomach: Kavalatones are most effective if you haven’t recently eaten. So, for best results, drink kava on an empty or near-empty stomach.
- Monitor Your Intake: If you experience any adverse effects like dizziness or nausea, reduce your dosage.
Build a Better Bedtime Routine with Kava
Most people know firsthand that sleep affects their mental state. After all, there’s a reason it’s said that someone in a bad mood “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”
The good news is that heavy kava varieties like our Borongoru help you find tranquility amidst chaos by promoting a sense of physical “heaviness,” helping to naturally relax muscles and soothe your mind into a state of mental calm.
We offer two forms of Borongoru kava: Micronized Borongoru and Medium Grind Borongoru. Both offer the same relaxation effects. The only difference is the type of preparation used.
Whether you’re trying kava for the first time or looking to try a plant-based sleep aid, here’s our top tips for seamlessly slipping kava into your bedtime schedule:
- Sip Kava Before Bedtime: Start sipping Borongoru kava 1-2 hours before bedtime to give the kavalactones plenty of time to help calm your mind, relax your body, and ease the transition into sleep.
- Drink Kava on an Empty Stomach: An empty stomach helps kavalactones absorb efficiently into your system. If any nausea crops up, follow your kava drink with a light snack called a kava chaser. Because kava can taste bitter and earthy, pick kava chasers that are light and sweet, like fruit, nuts, popcorn, or yogurt.
- Combine Kava with Other Sleep Hygiene Practices: Some individuals find that pairing kava with other relaxation techniques, such as meditation or gentle stretching, enhances its calming effects.
- Monitor Dosage: While there is no universally agreed-upon kava dosage for sleep assistance, it’s generally recommended to start with a lower dose and gradually increase as needed.
- Effect Time Varies: Allow 15-20 minutes to notice kava’s effects. You should begin to feel tensions ease throughout your body and stress and worries from the day dissolving away.
Kava for Sleep and Anxiety: Why People Love it
Drink Kava, Deflect Stress, Sleep Best
At Kalm with Kava we believe that everyone deserves a blissful state of mind and a good night’s sleep— every night. That’s why we thoughtfully designed our kava products with you in mind. Shop our Boronorgu kava products and nod off with one of the best herbal sleep aids on the market. When you wake up feeling refreshed and restored, you’ll thank us.
