Follow @Erowid on Instagram!
Fresh Is Totally Different
Kava
Citation:   knuckledragger70. "Fresh Is Totally Different: An Experience with Kava (exp84747)". Erowid.org. May 9, 2018. erowid.org/exp/84747

 
DOSE:
  oral Kava (fresh)
    oral Alcohol - Beer/Wine  
BODY WEIGHT: 240 lb
I work in a job that does piss tests and with a few near misses, a coworker and I decided to explore Kava Kava. We tried the extracts, tinctures, and copious amounts of the powdered kava brew. In all cases it resulted in a possible body buzz, but possible placebo effect. Kava seemed to be a total waste of time and money. Then I went to Vanuatu.

In Vanuatu, the whole island is basically on kava all the time. It grows there and they are very proud of it. We were taken to a traditional kava bar, no women allowed. The Kava brew was served in half coconut shells and the same 2 or 3 shells were used by all 50-75 people at the gathering. The kava was scooped out of plastic tubs and it was free.

I drank a bowl quickly and immediately my whole mouth went numb, like a coke freeze. Also, the brew tasted a lot like dirt. After drinking the brew I salivated a lot which caused me to spit a lot. Actually all of the men at the gathering were spitting constantly. It was pretty nasty feeling the spittle spray my ankles constantly. There were a few little stands selling little bits of fruit or meat, but I was pretty nauseated, so I stayed away.

Now maybe 5 minutes in (and on a dare) I drank 2 more cups. It hit hard, like a strong disorienting body high, a lot like weed, but different in a way I couldn't explain. It lasted about 3 or 4 hours and during that period I was pretty social and had a few beers, I definitely wouldnt try to drive during the first hour, but after that it got much easier to deal with and I loosened into it. Slept well, felt like crap the next day, but that could have been the beer and dehydration. It is very hot in Vanuatu.

P.S. as I understand it the kava brew is prepared by the tribal women chewing on the kava root and then spitting into a bucket. Found that out later

Exp Year: 2008ExpID: 84747
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 38
Published: May 9, 2018Views: 1,245
[ View PDF (to print) ] [ View LaTeX (for geeks) ] [ Swap Dark/Light ]
Kava (30) : Combinations (3), Preparation / Recipes (30), Hangover / Days After (46), General (1), Large Group (10+) (19)

COPYRIGHTS: All reports copyright Erowid.
No AI Training use allowed without written permission.
TERMS OF USE: By accessing this page, you agree not to download, analyze, distill, reuse, digest, or feed into any AI-type system the report data without first contacting Erowid Center and receiving written permission.

Experience Reports are the writings and opinions of the authors who submit them. Some of the activities described are dangerous and/or illegal and none are recommended by Erowid Center.


Experience Vaults Index Full List of Substances Search Submit Report User Settings About Main Psychoactive Vaults