A Closer Look at the Risks vs. Benefits of Kava (Piper methysticum)

Abstract

Abstract

If you took a trip to Fiji, the locals would probably welcome you with a drink of Kava. For centuries, the indigenous people of the South Pacific Islands have used the roots of a plant known as Kava. Beyond the use of Kava as a psychoactive substance, it has been incorporated as a cultural drink that is used in many ceremonies. In the late 1990’s Kava use spread quickly in Western countries including Europe, North America, and Australia. It was used as a treatment for anxiety. But just as quickly as it spread, the enthusiasm for it faded, because it was banned or restricted in many Western countries following reports of liver toxicity. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) concern for safety prompted a request for more research on the substance. The issues of safety and efficacy remain more specifically whether the benefits of using Kava outweigh the risks.