# Should I Try Kava Kava? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123 "2009-07-15T16:25:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/1 "2009-07-15T16:25:01Z")
I’ve been extremely stressed out recently, and I’ve heard positive reviews of this stuff. Is it worth the effort & expense? NOTE: I am currently taking Fluoxetine 20mg daily. Any interaction considerations? DISCLAIMER FOR THE MODERATORS: Yes, I will talk to my doctor/pharmacist before taking. I just want to know if it’s a big enough red flag that I shouldn’t even bother pursuing this further. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/2 "2009-07-15T20:59:47Z")
Kava kava is the only OTC thing I’ve taken that has even come close to producing “valium” like effect. I have an very old box, here and it says on the box “Do not take if you are taking any anti-depressents.” ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/3 "2009-07-15T21:24:27Z")
I’m not sure about it’s medicinal properties, but I drank a decent amount of it when hanging out with locals in Fiji. I found it to give a mild buzz with a bit of euphoria, but nothing particularly overwhelming. On the other hand, I wasn’t particularly stressed while in Fiji. ---
**Author:** ![Hirundo82](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/919ad9/32.png) [@Hirundo82](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirundo82)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/4 "2009-07-15T21:40:24Z")
There is [good evidence](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12535473) (as far as there is “good evidence” for any herbal remedy) for kava’s effectiveness in treating anxiety. I can’t find any reported interactions with fluoxetine, and it hasn’t been shown to have a significant effect on the liver enzymes that metabolize fluoxetine. There is a risk of liver failure that has lead to the banning of kava in some European countries. You should of course talk to your doctor before starting so that he can evaluate any potential individual risk factors. ---
**Author:** ![wizard\_of\_aus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecc23a/32.png) [@wizard\_of\_aus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wizard_of_aus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/5 "2009-07-16T10:26:48Z")
… had a great time … very happy feeling … lips went numb … fell asleep … no stress … _grin_ … WoAus in Fiji ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/6 "2009-07-16T13:49:38Z")
It’s okay if you like alcoholic dirt. In other words it is crap. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/7 "2009-07-16T14:48:22Z")
I drank some while I was taking Lexapro, an anti-depressant. I attempted suicide a few hours later. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-kava-kava/503123/8 "2009-07-16T20:43:30Z")
> [@Hirundo82](#): > > There is a risk of liver failure that has lead to the banning of kava in some European countries. Standard disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, consult your physician if you’re really concerned. From what I’ve been able to gather, those incidents of liver failure were all from kava extracts that used portions of the plant that were avoided in traditional preparations precisely because they were known to be toxic. I’ve found no conclusive evidence that using kava in moderation the traditional way (ground up root powder) will cause liver failure. Combining Kava use with alcohol and/or acetaminophen will definitely increase the strain on the liver, so it’s something to consider. The Kava bag I have says to consult your doctor if you’re taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications. With all that being said, I’ve personally found that Kava works very well for alleviating my stress.