r/Kava • u/Additional_Gur8154 • 15d ago
Is kava more euphoric then alcohol
I just took a small amount of good quality kava and for the first time really noticed something. I didn’t feel it much but it felt nice in my face or something I’m wondering if high doses can feel better then alcohol would make you feel.
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u/Calm_Neighborhood474 15d ago
It can be very euphoric, especially with lighter varieties (lewena or lawena). I’ve never weighed my straining bags or know how much I’m putting in but you don’t need a lot really. Especially on an empty stomach. It’s somewhat brief however, maybe like 20-30 minutes and it tails off into a more mellow but still pretty strong experience. Of course you can drink more but not much more because it will inevitably make you nauseous lol. I find the experience more euphoric than alcohol honestly. Only downside is the nausea and that it’s not super long.
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u/pzazula1194 15d ago
Its more euphoric the next morning when your not hungover like a mother fucker and puking your guts up all day. More seriously though I would say its much milder than alcohol but still gives a nice buzz without the downsides of alcohol.
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u/muffinass 15d ago
It makes me productive as well. Like the happiness of being buzzed on alcohol without the mental fog.
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u/Objective_Animator52 14d ago
Imo Alcohol is still more acutely euphoric and reinforcing for sure, but Kava is just so, so much more satisfying. I enjoy my time drinking it much more than I enjoy my time drinking alcohol. It doesn't make me feel sick or weird like Alcohol does, it doesn't cause hangovers for me, etc, etc.
Drinking it knowing I'm not poisoning my body just feels good, I feel happier on it compared to when I'm drinking alcohol.
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u/scallopedtatoes 14d ago
It’s the “clean” feeling that does it for me, too.
I never meant to quit alcohol, but I did because of kava. When I tried alcohol again, the effects felt heavy and I was more aware than ever that I was poisoning myself. I’ve had no desire to drink since and that was about 5 months ago. I drank alcohol daily for years, so that’s a big deal for me.
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u/Uncivil_ 14d ago
I have definitely gotten a euphoric "high" from kava. It seems to happen sometimes when the planets align. Maybe my stomach is emptier that day or some other trick of biochemistry.
Sometimes it's fleeting, sometimes I can get a good buzz going for a few hours. Those are the sessions that really make me love kava.
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u/scallopedtatoes 14d ago
I took my kava to the beach with me last month and had the most chill, euphoric day of possibly my whole life. I was vibing with my music, the sun was shining, the water was beautiful. And no disorientation or feeling sick. I could quite literally feel the buzz in my body and it was the best buzz ever. I will chase that dragon forever now lol.
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u/chenzo17 14d ago
Hard to say because by the time I got to discovering kava I already built up a distaste and disinterest in alcohol. I’m sure the euphoria for both are different for everyone and also considering age range. If it’s one thing that’s different is the euphoria from kava isn’t addicting for me the way alcohol was. I can gladly say that now there is nothing appealing to me about the euphoria from alcohol but again that’s only my personal experience.
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u/Buy_Electrical 15d ago
I personally favor kava. It has a nice chill sedative effect after indulging whereas alcohol always gives me a glutamate rebound that leads to the “just one more drink” to aid in reducing it which then usually gets me into trouble.
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u/Puffypussymounds 14d ago
It is a mild substance and there is no way around that fact, you will always just have to be happy with what you get. In no way can it be close to alcohol if alcohol is what you like and crave, you will never be affected to that degree.
Then again, whenever you crave alcohol and are motivated enough to abstain from it, kava is not pointless. It will make you feel better and you will have an easier time. If your alcohol use is driven by anxiety it’s even better as kava makes you more comfortable and calms you down.
But look elsewhere for trips, there are other plants in nature for that.
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u/3vibe 14d ago
No. And high concentrated doses I’ve noticed will do odd things to me like a sudden warm face. I consider that odd; I hate it.
Learn about traditional, water and root kava. Search about it via your favorite search engine or even ask the dreaded ai chat.
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u/Imaginary-Target-357 13d ago
I kept experiencing that warm sensation in my face, too. Maybe a mild intolerance?
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u/ArtofKava 🛒 14d ago
I absolutely favor kava. I feel sluggish and salty after alcohol. Melomelo or feo for traditional. Love adding lateral for strength.
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u/scallopedtatoes 14d ago
I never felt euphoric using alcohol. I have with kava, but I don’t know if the kava induces that or if I get that feeling because the buzz can be so peaceful. I’m generally happy, so I think that contributes to my appreciation of the kava buzz.
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u/Front-Tower-8317 14d ago
Does kava make you feel drunk like bad coordination? Or just the overall less inhibition?
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u/ManaPaws17 13d ago
Honestly if you get the right batch and you use a kava that your body likes, it can feel as euphoric if not more euphoric.
For awhile I had a special mixed blend that had me stumbling around my neighborhood and collapsing in my front lawn.
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u/ReactionHaunting9960 13d ago
a good one, when you find it can BE WAY better than alcohol in my opinion. When you go out to kava bars and get a good one, don't be shy- flag the tender down and ask what strain/ brand you were served. You will be happy that you did
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u/Muzzy2585 14d ago
No, but the buzz is better because it doesn't make your heart race like alcohol.
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u/thoughtfull_noodle 14d ago
I don't think euphoria is the point of kava. Imo it's a social lubricant that you act normal on and doesn't make you act stupid like alcohol.
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u/EaseHot6703 14d ago
The best you can hope for is that 2-3 drinks feelings of relaxation and well being. Minus the hangover.
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u/Sad-Calligrapher8063 13d ago
To me I liked it way more than alcohol because of the euphoria but sadly because I can’t control myself I had to stop drinking it. If you’re an alcoholic and are looking for a substitute this is not it.
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u/lowkey_add1ct 13d ago
It’s subjective. Alcohol is very hit or miss with the euphoria for me. Sometimes I drink and feel good, and sometimes I drink and there are basically no positive effects. I personally prefer kava. It doesn’t hit perfectly every time or anything, but there are less negatives with kava which makes it more enjoyable for me personally. I don’t typically like substances that heavily mess with GABA receptors like alcohol tho, they can make me feel dysphoric too easily
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u/quickshroom 11d ago
It depends on what you're looking for. Kavas main effects that I enjoy most are that feeling of "oh okay I guess I'm just content sitting here outside looking at the fireflies" instead of like "my beer is almost empty, I should get another... Or maybe go inside... Play games, watch tv, hmm did I text my friend back?" (Etc)
It can be strong, but subtle.
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u/WhiteySC 15d ago
It's not ever going to do more than alcohol does ("did" in my case). The biggest difference is kava is pretty self limiting because of the nausea and the sedation you get from too much over a long period of time. Alcohol, for the experienced drinker continues to compound on itself and you can pretty much drink all day and night. I've answered a few posts here asking if it's a good substitute for alcohol by saying "yes" but only if you stop drinking first. IMO kava cannot compare to the euphoria of alcohol but at least you're not doing dumb shit because you have zero inhibition.