We all like to grab a beer, wine, or glass of scotch after an exhausting day, sit back in our favorite chair, and watch some TV. There’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol as long as you’re able to resist the temptation and stay within reasonable limits. However, more often than not people tend to have “one too many” glasses which consequently leads to dizziness and ultimately – a nasty hangover the next morning.
On the other hand, Kava can offer a similar experience but without all the accompanying hassles such as a hangover, headache, and drop in concentration. In order to see the full list of benefits, we need to break these two elements down to their advantages and shortcomings. That way, we can clearly see which of these two is better for you in the long run. Spoiler alert – it’s Kava.
The perks and advantages of Kava
The first and probably the most notable advantage of this herb over alcohol is the fact that it does not cause a hangover. How many times did you miss an important appointment or have canceled your plans for the next day due to a massive hangover? The answer is probably – a lot. But, what if someone told you that you could have a very similar experience without having to go through the gruesome feeling of a hangover?
Kava is well-known for its ability to reduce stress, eliminate anxiety, and even help with sleep deprivation. As you can tell, it has almost an identical effect as alcohol but without the side effects. The primary concern most people have about this is how to transition from a strong alcoholic beverage to a peculiarly-tasting herb. However, most people are not aware of the fact that the vast majority of alcoholic drinks have origins in plants. For example, vodka is made from potatoes and tequila is made from agave.
When it comes to Kava benefits, the ones that are worth pointing out include:
- Stress relief
- Mood improvement
- Solving sleep issues
- Anxiety relief
Alcohol
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol isn’t bad per se. However, it becomes extremely dangerous once you drink too much of it. Generally speaking, drinking too much of anything will cause issues, but some things have a much bigger impact on your overall health condition.
The other thing one needs to remember is that alcohol affects people differently. Some become happier and willing to have a chat, while others turn into aggressive individuals who look for nothing more but trouble. Needless to say, you’ll never stumble upon an aggressive Kava consumer. Or, rather, Kava won’t make you more aggressive than you already are.
Memory loss is also one of the downsides of drinking too much alcohol. While it doesn’t seem too dangerous to have your short-term memory completely wiped out, you can rest assured it’s not a thing you should take lightly. Long-term consequences are imminent, especially if you’re a frequent consumer of large quantities of alcohol.
Liver damage is usually a faithful companion of excessive alcohol use. Cirrhosis is not a risk but an inevitability for most (ab)users.
Things to keep in mind
Do not mix Kava and alcohol. There are no exceptions to this rule, even though many people manage to find an excuse. However, it’s always easier to find excuses in lieu of following the rules and instructions. Furthermore, refrain from driving under the influence of both alcohol and Kava. Even though Kava doesn’t have a massive impact on one’s consciousness and sanity, it’s still a natural sedative meaning it significantly reduces one’s reflexes.
As with any other herbal product, if you’re not sure about how to use it or how much of it to take at a time, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. Your physician will most likely be familiar with the effects of Kava and will, therefore, have some much-needed answers ready for you. Remember, it’s always better to double-check with a professional instead of just going with your instincts.
As you can tell, it’s much better to drink Kava instead of alcohol as they both have similar effects but with different outcomes.
