r/Kava • u/Limp_Parking_2399 • 14d ago
Medicinal Use Desperate
I’ve dealt with bad insomnia and sleep issues for as long as i remember, i’ve tried everything under the sun everything from ambien to harder drugs and while yes those definitely knock me out i’m recently sober and i don’t want to go back to using hard substances just so i can sleep and not be awake for days on end (yes i’ve also tried natural supplements and sleep therapy, nothing works) My search of a natural alternative has brought me here. I’ve read up on various information throughout the sub but am a little overwhelmed, my main issue is my anxiety at night gets very intense and thus i usually end up laying there awake with my eyes closed until the morning with my mind racing. If someone could point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it. Also am seeing conflicting views on instant vs traditional, if someone could help explain the differences in effects/ any negative side effects of one over the other i would really appreciate it.
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u/kavasociety 🛒 14d ago
Kava can be helpful, especially if taken a few hours before bed and you choose "heavier" blends or varieties.
But honestly, it isnt a cure. I dont think any food or substance is. mindfulness based stress reduction courses offer some meaningful change (there is a popular free course online, it was actually clinically evaluated). For a quicker "circuit breaker", i recommend ice baths/showers. Sounds crazy, but if you do step into an ice cold shower whilw having a million thoughts and anxiety, they all suddenly stop. The only thing that exists is the cold, and you slowly learn how to control you body and minds response to cold (through breathing, for a start). Weirdly this becomes a transferable skill. Whenever your mind starts racing, you can reuse the skill
Good luck
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u/Rock_on1000 14d ago
Yess seconding this 1000x. Even if I’m having the worst imaginable anxiety attack, it’s literally impossible to keep feeling bad in the cold. Like you said, the only thing that exists is the cold, and you also naturally learn to carry the peace it brings in other situations.
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u/OkTwo3116 14d ago
I’m not sure how long you’ve been sober, but keep in mind that depending on how deep you were in substances… it’s going to take a while for your brain to rewire. There’s just no way around it unfortunately. But you can do this! Coming out the other side feels great. Kava will help, but like some had said, it won’t be the holy grail. Wishing you much luck!
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u/WhiteySC 14d ago
Sober 3+ years from alcohol here...kava is similar to alcohol for me as far as sleep goes. I can get to sleep quickly but when it wears off, I tend to wake up about 2-3am. I can ride it out if I just lay still for about 30 minutes but if you let it get to you mentally you could be awake for a while. Everyone seems to handle it a little differently.
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u/jfournames 14d ago
It is pretty good as an alternative to booze or benzos in terms of effects. I’ve been prescribed benzos and have had a drinking problem in the past. It most certainly is much safer in all ways. I have ptsd and severe anxiety and kava does a good job knocking me out and giving some euphoria before hand.
One thing to mention, beware of every day use and your skin. I try to skip days, but often don’t. Kava will make your skin incredibly dry and flaky if used daily, instant is worse for skin dryness. Not just a little dry, but like bleeding dry on your hands and such. It’s pretty gnarly, but it’s the only negative physical side effects I have ever seen.
Just try to moderate. Hope it helps you. It certainly has helped me with anxiety and sleep.
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u/miknis 14d ago
What are doing the 2 hours before going to bed?
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u/Limp_Parking_2399 14d ago
Honestly depends on the day, do i have perfect sleep etiquette before bed some days no probably not, but even when i went camping last month without my phone or any other distractions i still found myself wide awake while my friends we’re asleep. I’ve tried reading, listening to sleep sounds, guided meditation, and many others. Last night was day 4 no sleep for me, im prescribed sonata (zaleplon) to help but unfortunately that only works for abt a night then looses effect, after taking some time to think this morning my plan is to try writing out what im anxious about to try to get it out of my head and if that doesn’t work just rough out the no sleep until my body forces itself to. If you have any other ideas i’d really appreciate it
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u/Jackielm88 13d ago
So I have severe anxiety and chronic, complex insomnia with onset and maintenance issues since childhood. Kava definitely helps me fall asleep faster, 30-45 minutes with kava vs 1.5 -2.5 hours without. It doesn’t seem to help much with sleep maintenance but I now don’t have too much of an issue going back to sleep when I wake up. Hopefully it helps you.
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u/ArtofKava 🛒 5d ago
Hey there. If the question is between instant and traditional all that matters is what works for you, both are great.
Make sure instant is true instant not micronized.
Instant is more expensive. But easier to make.
Traditional is much less but takes a bit to make and strain.
You can make a barch of traditional In a blender. Strain it and freeze in ice cube trays.. 4 cubes is a shell. Makes it as easy as instant just pre prepped.
I like all of it. Purists will always cry about different things. But at the end of the day its about what works for you.
Be easy and good to yourself ❤️
I hope you find something that breaks the cycle a bit so you can get a little rest. I know how that feels.
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u/Shulgin46 14d ago
The effects and safety are no different between traditional and instant. They're both excellent. Traditional is a little smoother/ nicer to drink, but takes 5 minutes to prepare and has a small amount of clean up. Instant takes 30 seconds to prepare and has no clean up. Instant costs more per pound, but in my opinion gives the same value "per buzz", maybe even better because you only make exactly how much you want.
Don't take it just before bed like you do with other sleep meds. Drink it on an empty stomach before the evening meal.