Written by: Dr. Lisa Jung, ND FABNG
I don't quite remember how I came to have a relationship with alcohol. It wove into my life without much of a notice....
It showed up at celebrations, after long clinic days, nights out with friends, and in those quiet moments when I just wanted to “take the edge off.”
Like many people, I didn’t drink heavily — but I did rely on alcohol as a shortcut to relaxation.
As a naturopathic doctor, I always knew the science behind what alcohol was quietly doing beneath the surface:
-Disrupting sleep cycles
-Increasing inflammation
-Damaging the gut lining
-Burdening liver detox pathways
-Contributing to anxiety rebounds
Over time, I found myself asking a question many of my patients were also asking: Is there a way to unwind that actually supports health instead of damaging it?
This question led me to Kava.
What is Kava, and why it is becoming a popular alcohol alternative?
Kava (Piper methysticum) is a botanical root - traditionally used for centuries in the Pacific Island cultures in ceremonies, gatherings and other social settings to bring people together.
In today's world, Kava has gained popularity as an alcohol alternative for its way of promoting calm and rest without intoxication.
Kava has these active compounds called kavalactones that support our nervous system via interacting our GABA pathways that induce calming and relaxing effects.
My First Experience with Kava
In naturopathic medical school, I learned about Kava and its benefits, but the first time I ever tried kava was in Santa Cruz, CA at a local kava bar. I felt curious and drawn to a business that operated on selling kava based drinks without any alcohol. To be quite honest, the traditional preparation they made was not the most palatable...
Though past the taste, I did notice something strange -- I felt more relaxed and more social, just for a short bit until those feelings dissipated.
I became intrigued by this herbal compound, and soon after some digging, I learned that there's a nuance to Kava -- there is a therapeutic dose to kavalactones in order to fully experience what Kava has to offer.
Benefits of Kava Compared to Alcohol
As a disclaimer, please know that this is not medical advice. Kava has great benefits from research and personal/anecdotal perspectives, but ingesting Kava or other natural/herbal compounds should always be discussed with your healthcare provider who knows you and your health state.
Let's dive in:
1. Kava can help promotes relaxation without impairment
Kava can help to calm down the nervous system, supporting stress and anxiety relief too through the GABA pathways. Think of GABA as the brake pedal in your brain -- it helps to bring tension down, regulate the stress response in the body, and can have a mild euphoric effect. Very similar to the disinhibition that alcohol can do, but without the alcohol itself. By doing so, it can make you feel:
-More present without being impaired
-More social and engaged, rather than mentally blurred
-Less in your head with racing thoughts or emotional turbulence
2. Kava can support sleep quality
Kava belongs in a group of herbs called nervines, and in various cases, Kava is in various sleep support formulas for the effect it has on the central nervous system. When GABA receptor pathways are enhanced by Kava, it allows our body to be more in the parasympathetic state, also known as rest & digest. In this state, our circadian rhythm is dictated to promote recovery and rest. Unlike alcohol that disrupts our sleep cycle and suppresses our REM, Kava helps to promote deeper relaxation and restorative sleep. As too high of a dose with kavalactones can have a sedative effect, which some people can feel a "sleep hangover" after waking.
3. Kava can be supportive of our muscles and brain
Kavalactones have shown in studies that it can play a significant role in the inflammatory responses, providing relief in related symptoms like inflammation and pain. Kavalactones have also shown that it can increase our antioxidation enzymes in the brain, which in a state of oxidative stress, can increase these enzymes to decrease those stressors.
Why I Chose Kava Haven Specifically
Some time after my first Kava experience, I was introduced to Kava Haven - this was around the time that I noticed alcohol having quite a negative impact on my own health.
What I love about Kava Haven is that there is 500mg of kavalactones in each serving, meeting that therapeutic dose. Not just an aesthetic wellness product like so many others, but a product that had the researched dose to deliver what it's meant to do. The first time I ever tried KavaHaven was so profound -- from feeling the tingly feeling on my tongue to feeling a buzz, without the mental fog or heaviness I would feel in my body with alcohol. Unlike alcohol, I was able to sleep throughout the night and had no hangover-like symptoms after drinking Kava Haven.
I also have to mention that it is delicious -- not like the very first time I tried Kava! The product includes other ingredients like vanilla, cardamom, orange blossom and ginger to create this warm, smooth flavor.
Kava Haven had brought me an opportunity for a self-challenge....I challenged myself to see how long I can go without drinking any alcohol. I may have been a bit overzealous, but I'm proud to say I went 4 months without alcohol. The other amazing part of this challenge was that even though alcohol did return, Kava Haven and my short sobriety experience improved my relationship with alcohol -- no craving or dependence on alcohol, just truly enjoying alcohol in rare situations and also drinking a lot less and in moderation.
Who Might Benefit Most from Kava
Kava may be especially helpful for:
-People wanting to reduce alcohol intake
-High-stress professionals
-Individuals struggling with sleep quality
-Wellness-focused social drinkers
It may not be appropriate for :
-Individuals with chronic health conditions
-Those taking certain medications
-Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
Consulting a healthcare provider is always recommended.
Final Thoughts: A Shift in How We Relax
Alcohol is legally and scientifically a drug, and yet our society often overlooks alcohol intake. If you have been on the same boat as me, asking "is there a better way to destress and relax without alcohol?" -- Kava can be of help.
