Awa Na Kava
What is Kava?

Much has been said about Kava, its effects relieving anxiety, stress, and depression. Still, what exactly is Kava? Yeah sure, you can do a Google search and get lots of information about it, though some is conflicting, so let’s discuss what this “magical tea” is and what you can expect when drinking it.

Roots

Let’s go back to basics here and get the- “what is it?” over and done with. Made from the root of a plant found on South Pacific Islands, the plant is usually a tall shrub with large green heart-shaped leaves and flowers. For many centuries it has been used by natives for medicinal and ceremonial uses.

Usually sold as a tea in a bar-like setting, it can be drank out of coconut shells and also be consumed as a candy bar or brownie. The root of the plant is ground and added to cold water to create the tea, the taste is quite distinctive, and some people prefer to add flavored creamers or juice to it in order to consume. It is also typical to serve Kava with a side of pineapple chunks to help consumption. Kava can also be found in some health food stores in capsules and drops.

Benefits

And now for the good stuff! Kava is known for helping relief anxiety, stress, pain, depression, and all of that good stuff doctors love to give you a pill for. Some people report its effects are similar to alcohol, just no hangover, and it does not interfere with mental sharpness.Kava can also be taken for sleep problems as it promotes deep sleep without affecting REM sleep. Because of its benzodiazepine-like effects, it is not recommended that it be consumed if on any such medication and alcohol should be avoided when drinking Kava.

As a pain reliever, Kava has been known to be used to relief pain, islanders used to use the root for treating arthritis, menstrual pains and chronic pain. Some went as far as using the brew for asthma and urinary tract infections! (No data on this, so don’t try this at home kids). We can only guess that the analgesic effect of the plant would be part of this, as you will feel that your tongue and lips can be a bit numbed after taking your first sips of Kava, no worries, this goes away.

Social

And then there are the Kava bars! Here is the social aspect to Kava. Usually decorated in tiki-styled themes, Kava bars are popping up all over the US. Here is your opportunity to enjoy a relaxing shell of kava while listening to standup comedians, terrible Kavaoke or join others for game night.

The weekend is here and don’t want to drink? No worries, come on over, have a bowl of Kava, enjoy the good music, chat with wonderful people while getting the benefits of this wonderful brew without worrying about the drive home or waking up feeling like you were run over by a truck!

So come join us at Awa Na Kava, where the Kava is flowing, the company is fantastic and your blues will disappear! Bula!

Awa Na Kava
What is Kratom?

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree native to the subtropical regions of Asia and a relative of coffee. Trees can grow up to 15 feet tall and have waxy, green leaves. There are several varieties of kratom, which are identified by the color of the vein in their leaves and are used for different purposes.

While it has opiate-like effects, kratom isn’t actually an opiate—which are substances derived specifically from the opium poppy plant, like morphine and codeine—but rather an opioid. Opioids bind to the same receptors in the brain as opiates but do not activate them in the same way as opiates do. Kratom’s principal alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-HMG) act as opioid receptor agonists, which means they fully activate these receptors in the brain.

Benefits of Kratom

Studies have shown kratom to have strong analgesic properties, which make it an ideal substitute for painkillers. The opiate-like qualities of kratom also make this plant a promising choice for treating opiate withdrawal symptoms because it activates the same brain receptors and has similar effects but is gentler and has a much lower risk of addiction. 
*Analgesic (pain relief), *Relief from withdrawal symptoms, *Mood-enhancing, *Stress relief, *Energizing, *Antidepressant, *Sleep aid, *Nootropic (enhances focus and cognitive functioning), *Immune-boosting, *Anti-inflammatory

Using Kratom

Kratom leaves are traditionally chewed, but most people mix crushed or powdered leaves into water or make it as a hot tea. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes to start feeling the effects, and they typically last for 1-1 ½ hours.

The effects of kratom depend on the particular strain you choose. White-vein kratom is stronger and produces stimulating effects, giving you feelings of joy, increased concentration, and higher energy. Red-vein kratom tends to have higher concentrations of the 7-HMG alkaloid and has stronger sedative, analgesic effects—it leaves you feeling relaxed, eases depression, and is used as a sleep aid. Green-vein kratom induces a combination of both stimulating and sedative effects and is preferred by many for its balanced effects.

A kratom experience can run the gamut from feeling euphoric to deeply relaxed to focused and engaged.  Some users have reported enhanced internal visualizations while using Kratom. Because of its ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms, Kratom has also been used as a follow-up treatment to ibogaine ceremonies.

Safe Usage

As long as you respect it like a medicine—using it in moderate amounts for a prescribed amount of time—kratom can be used without getting addicted. But some precaution is required—different strains have different strengths, so use precaution when choosing a provider and consult a trusted source about proper dosage.  When used responsibly, kratom has shown powerful potential to not only ease pain but to curb cravings and, ultimately, help individuals kick addiction for good.

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