Can you mix kava and alcohol?
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No. Kava and alcohol shouldn't be mixed. Both relax you, and together they hit harder than either one alone. Kava is meant to replace the drink, not go with it.
Why not mix them?
- They stack. Combined, the effects are stronger and less predictable.
- The liver question. Kava has rare reports of liver problems, mostly linked to concentrated supplements. Alcohol adds load on the liver, so doctors advise against combining them.
- It defeats the point. The appeal of kava is a relaxed night with a clear head and no hangover.
What about the next day?
Kava on its own doesn't leave you with an alcohol-style hangover. Most people say they wake up clear-headed.
What to do instead
Treat kava as the drink for the night. If you're out with friends who are drinking, a kava shell or a canned kava in hand fills the same spot.
Related: What is kava? · How long does kava take to kick in? · What is a kava bar?
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