Maintaining a sense of calm and balance often feels challenging. Between professional and personal responsibilities, daily frustrations that are beyond our control, and the demands of modern living, feeling stressed or anxious is a normal state for many people. Although it’s impossible to altogether avoid being in a bad mood now and then, it doesn’t need to be – and shouldn’t be – your default setting.
Taking a supplement for mood regulation can be a great way to help yourself build resilience against stressors so that when negative thoughts enter your mind, they don’t get stuck there.
Kava: A Natural Mood Enhancer with a Multitude of Benefits
Kava extract has gained popularity for its possible ability to reduce anxiety and elevate mood. Scientific research supports these uses [1], highlighting kava’s active compounds called kavalactones, which interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters to enhance relaxation and alleviate stress. These kavalactones work by modulating the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in reducing neuronal excitability, therefore giving the mind and body a sense of relaxation [2].
What makes kava extract so unique, however, is its potential to simultaneously improve various other health facets.
Whole-Body Benefits of Kava Extract
Here are a few more ways kava may be able to improve your overall health, in addition to reducing feelings of anxiety:
Physical Relaxation & Comfort
Feelings of stress and anxiety can cause tension throughout the body, leading to chest pains, gastrointestinal discomfort, and muscle and joint soreness. Research has shown that up to 70% of people with depressive and anxiety disorders also report having chronic pain [4]. Because kava may be effective for elevating your mood and calming your mind, it could also help you avoid physical symptoms related to frequent stress and negativity.
Improved Quality of Sleep
Studies have found that kava can be particularly helpful for those with insomnia or sleep disturbances linked to anxiety [5]. By promoting a state of relaxation, kava can help you fall asleep more easily and enjoy deeper, more restorative sleep. The mechanism behind this benefit is similar to its anxiety-reducing effects, as kava enhances GABA activity, leading to a calming effect on the mind and body.
Protect Neurons from Damage
Oxidative stress and inflammation can damage neurons, leading to cognitive decline and neurological disorders. Kava contains potent antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, protecting neurons from oxidative degeneration. Additionally, some studies suggest that kava may inhibit the activity of certain enzymes that contribute to inflammation, providing further protection for the nervous system. This dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects supports overall brain health and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Mood Regulation
Kava’s mood-regulating effects are closely linked to its impact on GABA and other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which play key roles in mood regulation [6]. By modulating these neurotransmitters, kava can help stabilize mood swings and enhance emotional well-being.
Kava Calm: A Natural Mood Enhancer
Centuries of use in medical applications and modern scientific research support kava as an effective supplement for reducing anxiety and regulating mood. At Global Healing, we harnessed the power of pure kava extract and combined it with complementary ingredients, including milk thistle and bacopa, to further support your whole-body health.
If you want to experience an elevated, more stable emotional state, ask your healthcare practitioner if adding a supplement like Kava Calm is the right choice for you.
References (6)
- Sarris J, LaPorte E, Schweitzer I. Kava: a comprehensive review of efficacy, safety, and psychopharmacology. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;45(1):27-35. doi: 10.3109/00048674.2010.522554. Epub 2010 Nov 15. PMID: 21073405.
- Bilia, A. R., Gallori, S., & Vincieri, F. F. (2002). Kava-kava and anxiety: Growing knowledge about the efficacy and safety. Life Sciences, 70(22), 2581–2597. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01555-2
- Shinomiya K, Inoue T, Utsu Y, Tokunaga S, Masuoka T, Ohmori A, Kamei C. Effects of kava-kava extract on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005 Jul;180(3):564-9. doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2196-4. Epub 2005 Feb 8. PMID: 15700178.
- de Heer EW, Gerrits MM, Beekman AT, Dekker J, van Marwijk HW, de Waal MW, Spinhoven P, Penninx BW, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM. The association of depression and anxiety with pain: a study from NESDA. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 15;9(10):e106907. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106907. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e115077. PMID: 25330004; PMCID: PMC4198088.
- Lehrl S. Clinical efficacy of kava extract WS 1490 in sleep disturbances associated with anxiety disorders. Results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. J Affect Disord. 2004 Feb;78(2):101-10. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0327(02)00238-0. Erratum in: J Affect Disord. 2004 Dec;83(2-3):287. PMID: 14706720.
- Tzeng YM, Lee MJ. Neuroprotective properties of kavalactones. Neural Regen Res. 2015 Jun;10(6):875-7. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.158335. PMID: 26199594; PMCID: PMC4498339.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE
Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.