Kava for Sleep: Can It Help You Get a Better Night’s Rest?
One of the common sleep disorders that affects many adults is insomnia. A study shows that 30% of the general populace is affected by insomnia. Insomnia usually causes sleep deprivation, negatively affecting mood, energy, and overall health. In fact, chronic insomnia has been linked to poor work productivity, impaired concentration, accidents, and increased errors.
The demands of modern life are on the rise, resulting in sleeplessness in many people. Therefore, more people are seeking ways to enhance sleep. One such way is the kava drink. It is a natural remedy to promote sleep by producing calming and relaxing effects on the body and mind.
In this blog, we will explore the relationship between kava and sleep so individuals can properly understand the effects of kava, allowing them to answer the question, ‘Can kava help you get a better night’s sleep?’
What Is Kava?
Kava is grown around the South Pacific region. Natives use it in ceremonial practices as part of the regional culture. The kava drink is made from plant roots and can help promote feelings of peace and happiness in the body, soul, and mind.
According to research, kava has active compounds known as kavalactones, which are responsible for psychoactive qualities. Kavalactones facilitate the functioning of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that diminishes central nervous system activity. This process causes feelings of serenity and calmness.
Studies show that kava is able to increase sleep time and sleepiness in people who have been diagnosed with anxiety issues and sleep disturbances. These findings show that kava is likely to be effective as a gentle therapy in the management of insomnia.
How Does Kava Help You Get a Better Night’s Rest?
It is important to note that Kava is not a cure for insomnia. However, it has properties that promote sleep and can help you get a good night’s rest. There are several varieties of kava, and each has its unique characteristics. Some varieties offer creativity and stimulation, while others have more sedative and relaxing qualities.
Some are thought to have the primary effect of stimulating happiness, while others might offer pain relief. Knowing the various varieties and their properties can help you get the experience you require.
Anxiety can result in racing thoughts that keep people up at night. Drinking kava can help reduce some of your work, and make it easier to unwind after a day of work or activity. Some varieties of kava offer deep relaxation that might cause drowsiness.
Several studies suggest kava’s role in promoting a good night’s sleep. In a randomized controlled trial, participants were given either a placebo or kava extract for 28 days. Individuals who took kava fell asleep rapidly and longer. The trial also showed reduced anxiety.
In a different study, kava was given to individuals with insomnia for four weeks. At the treatment’s end, these individuals showed improved sleep duration, quality, and efficiency in contrast to the control group. Lastly, research on patients intending to perform an operation showed that 300mg of kava given the night before the operation lowered anxiety and increased sleep time in comparison with placebo in a period of three weeks.
The Benefits of Kava Drink for Sleep
Kava drink offers various benefits. Let’s explore some of them.
- Calm the mind: Overactive minds and racing thoughts can stop you from falling asleep. The calming effects of kava can reduce mental chatter, therefore creating a peaceful state that is conducive for sleep.
- Promotes relaxation: The major benefit of kava is that it helps with sleep. Kava can induce a state of relaxation in a person. Drinking kava from trusted places like Green Turtle Kava Bar before you sleep can help quiet your mind, reduce tension, and prepare your body for a comfortable sleep.
- Increases quality of sleep: Research shows that kava can improve the quality of sleep by decreasing the duration it takes an individual to fall asleep while increasing the time of deep sleep. Deep sleep is essential for mental and physical restoration.
- Decreases anxiety: One of the common causes of sleep disturbances is anxiety. Kava contains anxiolytic properties, which can help reduce anxiety symptoms and allow people to relax and easily fall asleep.
- Removes morning grogginess: Kava is unlike some sleep medications in that it doesn’t usually cause drowsiness or grogginess when waking up. This is one of the reasons it is an attractive option for people who seek a natural sleeping aid.
How Does Kava Work?
Kava’s plant root contains about 18 identified active kavalactones, which include desmethoxyyangonin, yangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain. These compounds are believed to have sedative effects, making kava a good natural remedy for insomnia. Kavalactones contain anxiolytic, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and pain-relieving properties. These properties interact with various receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain, which cause stress response and excitability.
Kavalactones are bonded to GABA receptors, blocking the brain’s noradrenaline reuptake. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and counters excitatory nerve activity, causing calmness and relaxation. Kavalactones affect dopamine pathways and increase the level of dopamine in the brain. This results in a reduction of anxiety, racing thoughts, and nervous system hyperactivity, which affects sleep quality and onset.
Conclusion
Kava is a promising drink for individuals who struggle with restless nights. It is a natural sleep aid that can help improve, prolong, and initiate sleep. It contains active components which interact with the brain receptors controlling sedation, anxiety reduction, and relaxation. Evidence suggests that kava drinks are an effective treatment for insomnia and can help you get a better night’s rest. If you are looking to learn more about kava drink, this website has all the answers you might need.
Related Questions
1. Is there an appropriate time to take kava to sleep?
It is best you take kava some hours before you intend to sleep. Usually, it is preferred to do so before you eat or about 3 hours after you eat since the effectiveness of kava as a natural sleep aid is significantly reduced when on a full stomach.
2. Can Kava improve my quality of sleep?
Preliminary evidence proposes that kava might help improve your sleep quality and reduce the amount of time required to fall asleep. However, due to concerns as regards the safety of kava and that many herbs can treat sleeplessness, kava isn’t a treatment for insomnia.
3. How fast does kava work?
Kava takes about 15 to 20 minutes to work. During this time, you will feel your tensions slowly ease. Eventually, you will begin to feel happier, calmer, and sometimes a little euphoric. This is why many individuals utilize kava for anxiety.