Does kava make you tired?

We all use kava for different reasons. Some are attracted to its uplifting and social qualities, while others go for its more relaxing and calming effects. 

When it comes to the question of “does kava make you tired” the answer is; it depends. Not the cut and dry answer you were hoping for I’m sure. But kava is complicated. 

Kava comes in different strains that each have different qualities. And these qualities depend on how much of each kavalactone is present. Kavalactones are the active ingredients in kava and are responsible for kava’s famous relaxing, clarifying and socializing effects. 

How it works

Research tells us that kavalactones work directly on neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers in the brain that communicate between different brain regions and from the brain to the body. They impact our mood and physical functioning. Kavalactones specifically act on the serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutryic acid (commonly known as GABA) neurotransmitter systems. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter (it decreases activity) that is a well known therapeutic target in anxiety disorders. Its inhibitory nature is what leads to its calming and relaxing effects.

Kava influences our mood by altering the activity of GABA receptors, which in turn affects the release of GABA neurotransmitters. While we still don’t know exactly how kava affects GABA receptors, research suggests a few potential pathways. One theory is that kava increases both the activity and quantity of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the binding of GABA to cells and resulting in greater relaxation and calmness. Additionally, kava might inhibit calcium channels, thereby decreasing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters known to cause anxiety. These pathways highlight kava's potential in inducing a calmer and more relaxed state.

How kava makes you feel tired

It’s in the Kavalactones 

There are over 100 different kavalactones but only 6 are connected to the effects we know in kava.  This generally puts them into two different categories; heady and heavy. 

Heady kavas are the ones that make you feel more social, clear and uplifted. They affect your mind more than your body and only last a few hours. Heavy kavas, on the other hand, affect your body. They make you feel slow, tired and like your limbs are weighed down. 

I’ll bet you can guess that heavy kavas are the ones that make you feel tired. 

The kavalactones most noticeable in heavy effects are dihydrokavain, dihydromethysticin and methysticin. Dihydrokavain and Dihydromethysticin are most responsible as they promote muscle relaxation and anti-anxiety effects, potentially causing you to feel tired as the body unwinds. Methysticin, is a complementary kavalactone, having a lesser effect but still adding its own contribution. All contribute to the overall calming effect of kava and, depending on individual sensitivity and dosage, can lead to varying degrees of fatigue as they reduce stress and muscle tension.

It depends on how much you drink and how strong your kava is

There is also the question of how much you drink. Just like other substances like alcohol, quantity matters. Reports from the islands suggest that the more kava you drink the more tired you feel. Also potentially affecting your ability to drive.

Different kava preparations may also affect how strong your kava is.  For example, smaller doses leave you feeling calm, refreshed and social, while taking higher doses may give you feelings of bliss, calm and sleepiness. Higher doses are not generally not  recommended as they can impair certain cognitive abilities like fine motor skills. So as with other substances, there is a limit to how much you should take.

The Takeaway

As we highlighted here, kava can make you feel tired. It's important to understand the type of kava you're consuming—whether it's heady (more uplifting) or heavy (more sedating)—and your intention behind drinking it, whether for socializing or relaxation. Kava is known to help people with insomnia but also can help you focus, and support feeling social. 

The way kava effects you can vary, and it may take some time to recognize how your body responds, particularly when it comes to feeling fatigued. Your body size also plays a role in how quickly you feel its effects. The smaller you are, the less kava you need.  Although kava is generally safer and requires a larger amount to feel excessively tired compared to alcohol, being aware of your personal limits is crucial to enhancing your kava experience.