Kava Kava in Anxiety Disorders: Current Evidence and Clinical Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.92.72694Keywords
piper methysticum, kavalactones, kava kava, benzodiazepines, anxietyAbstract
Piper methysticum, commonly known as kava, has been traditionally used in the South Pacific for centuries due to its calming and anxiolytic properties. Its primary bioactive constituents, kavalactones, are responsible for its pharmacological effects and modulate multiple central nervous system pathways. These compounds exhibit anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle-relaxant activity, which has led to increasing scientific interest in their potential application in anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder remains one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide and is often associated with reduced quality of life and incomplete response to conventional pharmacotherapy. Consequently, kava is being investigated as a potential complementary therapeutic option. This review summarizes current evidence on Piper methysticum, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of action of kavalactones and their role in anxiety management. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
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