What Does Kava Feel Similar to? A Comparison of Effects

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Kava is a substance from the Pacific Islands with psychoactive and sedative properties, with some people claiming it produces a "buzz" similar to alcohol. This traditional beverage is increasingly popular as a non-alcoholic alternative, prompting many to ask: What does kava feel similar to?

Quick Summary

Kava's effects are often compared to those of alcohol and benzodiazepines due to its relaxing and anxiolytic properties, though it produces a different, more clear-headed experience without the heavy cognitive impairment.

Key Points

Clear-Headed Relaxation: Kava is often compared to alcohol for its relaxing and social effects, but it typically offers a clearer mental state without significant cognitive impairment.
Unique GABA Interaction: Unlike alcohol or benzodiazepines, kava's active compounds (kavalactones) modulate the GABA system indirectly, contributing to its distinct effects and lower potential for dependence.
Anxiety Relief Without Addiction Risk: Kava can provide anxiolytic effects similar to some benzodiazepines but without the high risk of addiction associated with prescription anxiolytics.
Dose-Dependent Sedation: At small doses, kava causes muscle relaxation and feelings of well-being, while larger doses can lead to increased drowsiness and impaired coordination.
Significant Health Risks with Improper Use: The most severe risks are linked to long-term heavy use, poor quality extracts, or mixing with alcohol, raising concerns about liver damage and skin issues.
Mouth Numbing Sensation: A unique physiological effect of kava is a mild numbing of the mouth, tongue, and throat, which is a key distinguishing feature from other depressants.

A Relaxing, Clear-Headed Intoxication

Kava, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is a central nervous system depressant whose effects are often likened to other relaxing substances, but with key distinctions. The feeling it produces is complex, combining a sense of social ease and muscular relaxation with mental clarity that sets it apart from alcohol. Users report feeling calm, sociable, and mildly euphoric without the significant alterations in judgment or motor coordination typically associated with heavy drinking. At higher doses, effects can become more sedative, leading to drowsiness and reduced coordination.

The Pharmacology Behind the Feeling

The primary active compounds in kava are a class of molecules called kavalactones. These kavalactones exert their calming influence by interacting with the brain's neurotransmitter system, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and its enhancement leads to the body's characteristic sedative, anxiolytic, and muscle-relaxant effects. Unlike alcohol and benzodiazepines, which bind directly to GABA receptors, kavalactones modulate GABA's effects indirectly, which may account for the different quality of intoxication and lower risk of dependence associated with kava. The specific blend of kavalactones, which varies by kava cultivar, determines the strength and type of effects experienced.

Kava vs. Alcohol: The Social Lubricant Comparison

The most frequent comparison for kava is with alcohol, as both are used in social settings to promote relaxation and sociability. However, the experiences differ significantly.

Similarities:

Both are central nervous system depressants.
They produce feelings of relaxation and reduced anxiety.
Both can lead to increased sociability in some users.

Differences:

Mental Clarity: Kava provides a lucid, clear-headed relaxation, whereas alcohol often impairs judgment and induces "brain fog".
Cognitive and Motor Function: While high doses of kava can impair motor skills, the effect is generally less pronounced than with alcohol.
After-effects: Kava does not produce a conventional hangover. Alcohol, on the other hand, is known for its dehydrating effects and resulting hangovers.
Mechanism of Action: Kava modulates the GABA system indirectly, while alcohol binds directly to GABA receptors. This difference is thought to contribute to kava's non-addictive nature, in contrast to alcohol's high potential for dependence.
Physiological Effects: A characteristic side effect of kava is a mild numbing sensation of the mouth and throat, which is not associated with alcohol.

Kava vs. Benzodiazepines: The Anxiolytic Comparison

Kava is sometimes compared to benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium) due to its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties. Early studies even found kava extracts comparable to prescription drugs like oxazepam for reducing anxiety symptoms, but without the risk of addiction.

Key Differences:

Addiction Potential: Benzodiazepines are known to be highly addictive and produce withdrawal symptoms. Kava is not considered addictive, and while heavy users may experience some withdrawal symptoms, the risk is significantly lower.
GABA Interaction: Kava binds to different GABA receptor sites than benzodiazepines, which likely accounts for its unique safety profile and lower risk of dependence.
Cognitive Effects: Unlike benzodiazepines, which can cause significant cognitive impairment and sedation, kava has been shown in some studies to improve visual processing and working memory, though high doses can still lead to drowsiness.
Long-Term Effects: While there are concerns about kava's potential for liver toxicity, especially with improper use or consumption of non-traditional plant parts, benzodiazepines carry their own set of long-term risks, including memory loss and cognitive decline.

Comparison Table: Kava, Alcohol, and Benzodiazepines


Feature	Kava	Alcohol	Benzodiazepines
Primary Effect	Relaxation, anxiety reduction, mild euphoria	Relaxation, disinhibition, heavy intoxication	Strong anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant
Mental State	Clear-headed; can be drowsy at high doses	Impaired judgment, 'brain fog'	Mental cloudiness, amnesia
Mechanism	Indirectly modulates GABA receptors via kavalactones	Directly binds to GABA-A receptors	Directly binds to GABA-A receptors
Dependence Risk	Non-addictive in traditional use, low potential	High potential for addiction and dependence	High potential for addiction and dependence
Motor Skills	Reduced coordination at high doses	Significant impairment, slurred speech	Impairment, clumsiness
After-effects	No conventional hangover	Hangover, nausea, dehydration	Withdrawal symptoms if dependent

Potential Risks and Cautions

While the feeling of kava is often described positively, it is important to be aware of potential risks, especially with improper use. Long-term, heavy consumption has been associated with a range of health issues, including:

Liver Damage (Hepatotoxicity): This is a significant concern, although the risk is more associated with non-traditional preparations (e.g., ethanol extracts, use of leaves/stems) and interaction with other substances like alcohol.
Dermopathy: Heavy, prolonged use can cause a scaly, flaky rash on the skin.
Apathy and Motivation Loss: Chronic use can lead to decreased motivation and apathy, known as "kava dermopathy".
Drug Interactions: Kava can interact with other medications, particularly other sedatives, antidepressants, and drugs metabolized by the liver. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if taking other medications.
Driving Impairment: Because kava can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination, it is unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming it.

Conclusion

When considering what does kava feel similar to, the answer lies in a combination of relaxing and socially lubricating effects, often compared to the initial stages of alcohol consumption but without the heavy cognitive impairment. Its unique pharmacological action, primarily centered on the GABA system, gives it distinct properties compared to both alcohol and benzodiazepines. While it offers a unique and typically clear-headed state of relaxation, users must be aware of potential side effects and health risks, particularly regarding liver health with long-term or improper use. For those exploring alternatives, understanding these nuanced comparisons is essential for making an informed and responsible choice. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides further information on kava.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, kava does not make you feel drunk in the same way as alcohol. While both promote relaxation, kava produces a more lucid, clear-headed state of intoxication without the heavy impairment of judgment and motor skills that comes with drinking too much alcohol.

No, the effects are not similar. Some describe kava's relaxation as a "body high," but it lacks the significant mental alteration, psychoactive properties, or hallucinatory effects associated with cannabis. Kava's intoxication is more sedating and anxiolytic in nature.

Kava is not generally considered addictive, unlike substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. Its mechanism of action on the brain's GABA system is different and less prone to causing dependence.

Common short-term effects include feelings of relaxation and well-being, muscle relaxation, mild sleepiness, and a slight numbing of the mouth and throat.

Potential risks of kava use, especially with prolonged, heavy, or improper consumption, include liver damage, dry and scaly skin (dermopathy), nausea, and a lack of motivation.

No, it is unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming kava. It is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination, affecting your ability to drive safely.

Kavalactones work primarily by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. They do this indirectly, reducing neuronal excitability and producing a calming, anti-anxiety effect.

No, mixing kava with other substances, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants, is dangerous. It can increase the risk of side effects, including severe liver damage.

The traditional preparation method, using only the water-extracted root, is generally considered safer than preparations involving ethanol extraction or the use of stems and leaves, which contain more toxic compounds like flavokavain B and carry a higher risk of liver damage.