Talk:Kava

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Tolerance

Most authorities aver that kava does not cause tolerance or physical addiction. The article states, briefly, " ...kava is not considered to be physically addictive and its use does not lead to dependency." However of the sources cited, one is quite old and the other used rather low doses. I suspect, from the receptors that kava targets, that it may induce tolerance given a sufficient dose and period of time. An admittedly brief survey of the literature turned up just one paper that backed this proposition, with tolerance shown in mice.

If anyone has further information in reliable sources I would appreciate a reply here. Meantime, I propose to at least note the mice study as a "However," to the above statement. The statement occurs in section Effects of consumption as a sort of coda; I propose moving it to Pharmacodynamics or Toxicity, safety, and potential side effects (with the qualification). D Anthony Patriarche (talk) 19:13, 25 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

That's a mouse study from 1991 which didn't get any meaningful traction. It fails WP:MEDRS and is not usable. I don't think there is any reliable literature on tolerance. Bon courage (talk) 19:17, 25 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Why do you say the mouse study is not MEDRS? It's listed in NIH PubMed.
BTW, I have observed apparent physical tolerance in myself (statistical sample of 1 ;-), which is what got me started reviewing this. D Anthony Patriarche (talk) 19:34, 25 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
It's a primary source, which are generally prohibited. See also WP:MEDANIMAL. Bon courage (talk) 19:51, 25 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks!
There's a tantalizing statement re tolerance in a tertiary source quoting Pedrosa et al Neuroprotective profile of Piper Methysticum (Kava Kava) and its effects on the Central Nervous System: a systematic review: "While kava seems to be nonaddictive, tolerance may develop in chronic drinkers." There's what appears to be a reference number but the references were not included in the text I was able to access via Google, and the full text of the article appears to be behind a paywall. D Anthony Patriarche (talk) 20:39, 25 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
That would be in the Journal of pharmacological chemistry and biological sciences. I can't find any of the usual indications giving assurance this is a legitimate/reputable journal. Bon courage (talk) 04:32, 26 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

There really aren't any studies on kava's addiction potential at high dosages but kava is very widely used in several countries and is one of the most popular drugs in Vanuatu and Fiji comparable to caffeine in some areas and not really anyone has reported any withdrawals. Many people in Vanuatu consume more kava daily then you could ever imagine from imported kava in the United States, the kavalactones degrade as the kava is imported so most kava in the united states is pretty weak. Anecdotally I've used kava for years and had many breaks with no effects. I used kava at crazy dosages daily for months and never found any type of withdrawal or rebound anxiety when I stopped but I was using lab tested Noble Root powder. The leaves of the kava plant have many more alkaloids and pharmacologically active parts that could possibly lead to a withdrawal like effect but I'm still skeptical. I know for sure if noble kava is addictive, its nowhere near as addictive as caffeine because when I miss my daily dose of coffee I feel a lot worse then when I forget to make kava that day. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.57.31.176 (talk) 05:32, 18 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Michael McCormack

He should be included, together with the news that the govt is now promoting kava & instituting International Kava Day - see interview with McCormack - [1]. Jack Upland (talk) 18:08, 1 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Who? Any decent sources? Bon courage (talk) 18:21, 1 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Michael McCormack (Australian politician) who was acting Australian Prime Minister during the Black Summer bushfires. I gave a link to an ABC News (Australia) interview. Is that not a reliable source?--Jack Upland (talk) 04:41, 12 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
It's reliable for what it says but this just seems like news trivia. It might make sense to mention it at the politician's article, but it really doesn't impart any knowledge about kava to the reader here. Bon courage (talk) 06:53, 12 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
I see your point. But it brought kava into the news in Australia.--Jack Upland (talk) 04:46, 13 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

noble kavas vs non-noble Kavas

The phases "noble" (kava) and "non-noble.[51][11]" are defined within the "Characteristics" section (hidden at page open).

Could the section name "Characteristics" be changed to "Characteristics and Noble Cultivars", or

Could local hyperlinks be created to definitions on the page for terms "noble (kavas)" and to "non-noble (kavas)"? ChgoJohn (talk) 15:58, 15 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]