A couple of questions

How toxic is kava?

The U.S. FDA stated in 2002 that “Kava-containing products have been associated with liver-related injuries—including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure—in over 25 reports of adverse events in other countries. Four patients required liver transplants.Mar 26, 2018

Is kava harmful to the body?

A one-time unintentional dose of kava is almost always safe. However, there are many long-term health effects from regular and chronic use. Long-term toxicity with kava tends to be liver damage, irritation of the stomach, kidney injury, shortness of breath, disorientation, and hallucinations.

How much kava is harmful?

Most expert recommend that you take no more than 250 milligrams per day and limit your use to no more than three months. Be advised that liver damage has been known to occur after one month of kava use with normal doses.

Is kava worse for liver than alcohol?

There is some evidence that kava that is prepared with water is less harmful to the liver than suspensions prepared in acetone or ethanol. Studies have shown that consumption of kava supplements leads to a slower reaction time and an impairment of motor skills.

Does kava really cause liver damage?

Despite the poor documentation of some of the reported cases of liver toxicity, kava preparations available in Western countries (ethanol or acetone extracts) very likely do cause severe liver toxicity in some patients. 4,5,6,7,8,9 The frequency of such severe toxicity is unknown.

Is kava bad for your kidneys?

The researchers say that kava may cause muscle weakness or muscle toxicity that causes the breakdown of muscle tissue which then travels to the kidneys and does damage.

Is kava healthier than alcohol?

The short answer is: No. It's neither healthy, nor clearly desirable to drink kava with alcohol, or to even consume alcohol shortly after kava. This is primarily because kava can inhibit liver enzymes that are responsible for alcohol metabolism.

Who should not take kava?

Four sources still recommend careful use of kava. Lake and Spiegel, Mischoulon and Rosenbaum, the Natural Standard, and Weil counsel that kava should be avoided in individuals with a history of liver disease or alcohol use, and in those who are taking concurrent medications with potential liver toxicity.