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Kava is the common name for Piper methysticum, a plant native to the South Pacific. Kava products are sold in the United States as dietary supplements rather than FDA-approved prescription or over-the-counter drugs for anxiety. Traditional preparations include beverages made from the plant's roots and rhizomes.
read more about kava ...Kava contains compounds called kavalactones that have central nervous system activity. The exact mechanism responsible for its reported calming effects in people is not established. Research has examined several preparations, which differ in extraction method and chemical composition.
Clinical research has studied kava for anxiety symptoms. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reviews state that kava supplements can reduce some anxiety symptoms in certain studies, while evidence does not establish benefit for generalized anxiety disorder or other conditions. Kava is not an FDA-approved treatment for anxiety.
There is no FDA-approved dose or standardized U.S. treatment regimen for kava. Dietary supplement products differ in plant material, extraction method, and kavalactone content, so doses from one preparation cannot be assumed to apply to another.
Kava products have been linked to rare cases of serious and fatal liver injury. Kava can also cause dizziness, headache, digestive upset, sedation, and skin changes with prolonged high intake. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other sedating substances can intensify central nervous system effects. Pregnancy and breastfeeding raise additional safety concerns.
No. In the United States, kava is sold as a dietary supplement rather than an FDA-approved drug for anxiety.
No. FDA has not established an approved therapeutic dose for kava dietary supplements.
Yes. Kava products have been linked to rare cases of serious and fatal liver injury.
Combining kava with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedating substances can increase central nervous system depression and is avoided.
Anxiety and Complementary Health Approaches. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/anxiety-and-complementary-health-approaches. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Kava. https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/kava.aspx. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Kava for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A 16-Week Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813230/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Kava Hepatotoxicity: A Clinical Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20720265/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Kava: Usefulness and Safety. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.