Posted by Have you ever seen kratom other than as a standalone product? That’s right – you can find kratom in combination with other ingredients for extra benefits and more effects, not only by itself. If you choose a great formula, a convenient form, and a reliable vendor, it can be ideal.
One such combination is kratom and kava. Kratom is low-dosed for stimulation and energy and focus, while high-dosed for sedation, and all doses boost mood. But before kratom came around, there was kava. Also called kava-kava, it was one of the early health supplements in the 90s.
Choosing from kratom or kratom and kava products gives you more variety. This review will tell you about the effects of each and why you might choose one over the other – or try both.
Kratom In All Its Forms
Origin: Leaves from the kratom plant Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia.
Usage: Stimulation or sedation depending on dosage;available at the public retail level.
Effects: Euphoria and calm; low doses for energy, focus, and mood, and high doses for relaxation, pain relief, and mood.
Forms: Powder, capsules, gummies, extracts, tinctures, and shots.
Best for: People wanting to be more focused or have mild to moderate pain relief.
Affordability: Reasonably priced, although shots are the most expensive form. Depending on the vendor, kratom may be more or less costly.
Side effects: Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, loss of appetite, and increased urination.
Risks: Liver damage, vomiting, seizures, and hallucinations, especially when taken with other substances; dependence and withdrawal.
Sold as: A dietary ingredient; unregulated by the FDA, but regulations in some states for age and labeling requirements.
Regulations: Unscheduled according to the Federal Controlled Substances Act; individual states regulate, prohibit, or occasionally ban it altogether.
Affected Neurotransmitters
- Dopamine is a feel-good chemical that affects motivation, pleasure, and reward.
- Serotonin is the “happy chemical” that improves mood, stabilizes the emotions, alleviates anxiety, and relaxes the person.
- Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) is part of the body’s “fight or flight” response and contributes to alertness, wakefulness, energy, and focus.
- Opioid receptors since kratom is a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, so binds partially without heavy sedation and respiratory depression that full agonist opioids do.
Kratom and Kava: A Winning Combination
Origin: Kava has been used medicinally and ritually in the Pacific Islands as a psychoactive beverage and originated in Vanuatu. It comes from the roots of Piper methysticum.
Usage: Kava bars and lounges; also available at the public retail level, sold at headshops, boutiques, and online stores with kratom or other wellness products.
Effects: Enhancement of relaxation and focus without overstimulation or oversedation for better mood, euphoria, tranquility, and calm.
Forms: Shots, which is the most bioavailable, potent, and fastest-acting way to take the two substances.
Best for: People who enjoy kratom but want to balance it with calm, whether they take low or high doses.
Affordability: Costlier than kratom in other forms but about the same as kratom shots.
Side effects: Increased sedation, respiratory depression,
Risks: Liver damage and dependency potential from kratom.
Sold as: Kava by itself is sold as a food or dietary supplement, while kratom and kava shots are sold as a wellness drink.
Regulations: Kava is legal in all 50 states and is not regulated by federal or state laws; kratom and kava shots are subject to state laws on kratom.
Affected Neurotransmitters
Other than dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and partial binding at mu-opioid receptors from kratom, kava has active compounds called kavalactones. They increase an inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA which has sedative and anti-anxiety effects.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Kratom | Kratom + kava |
| Forms | Powder, capsules, gummies, tinctures, extracts, and shots; powder and capsules are the most common | Shots only |
| Effects | Energy and focus at low doses and sedation and moderate pain relief at high doses; mood boost at any dose | Higher amount of kratom or kava for stimulation or sedation with added calming effects |
| Affordability | High-quality kratom tends to be moderately priced to somewhat expensive | Costlier than kratom alone but about the same as kratom shots |
| Best for | People who want to relieve pain or anxiety, boost their mood, raise their energy or relax, relieve stress, or reduce opioid dependence | People who experience midday drowsiness, want to alleviate social anxiety, or are overwhelmed or tired after a long day at work |
| Regulations | Legal at the federal level; subject to state law | Legal at the federal level and in all 50 states |
Choosing an Ideal Kratom or Kratom and Kava Product
There are not very many vendors of products that contain both kratom and kava. It can be a toss-up; a product can be wonderful or a nightmare if the vendor is unscrupulous. So with these unregulated substances, it’s up to the vendor to have their own quality control and be transparent with information about their products.
One of the most committed and manufacturer-direct vendors is Real Botanicals. Their kratom and kava shots come with 30 mg per bottle, and your choice of more kratom or more kava. Just choose your pack and enjoy a quick, powerful way to get the benefits of both before you start your day, begin a workout, or want to wind down for the evening. If you prefer kratom alone, their kratom capsules give you your choice of low, moderate, or high dosages that is less than other vendors’ because they are more potent and effective.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of Kratom Alternatives. Also, check out Mood Boost Kratom and Kava Shots vs. Kava Karma by Real Botanicals: Choose Your Alcohol Alternative