Variation in Effects
jposer	I enjoy Kava very much, but I can't seem to understand why the effects vary so much. I drink 2 cups (prepared with 2 heaping tablespoons of root) every night. Sometimes, I get overpowered, virtually catatonic. Other times the effects are barely noticeable. I always prepare the same way, use the same method, and consume it on an empty stomach. Anyone have an idea why? In addition, it always seems like the stuff at the bottom of the bag is better. Is it possible that the kavalactones fall to the bottom of the bag? Probably just in my head. [:D]
gizmo	I don't know precisely why this happens, but I know that I just called someone else asking the exact same question, after what I thought would be a mild batch of Mo'i turned out to be a bit on the potent side. It happens to this person, too. The most I can understand - beyond the idea of a tolerance possibly building, at least slightly, despite the fact that kava doesn't really cause tolerance much - is that it's one of those mysteries of kava. Something my friend and I have each noticed is that with a bit of thought and practice, we can often tell how kava will affect us that day. Whether it will be a very good day to drink kava, a bad day to drink kava, or somewhere in the middle. It might be worth paying attention to your body beforehand and seeing if you notice any patterns. There's a possibility it's your body, not the kava, reacting differently. There's also a possibility there's a slight difference in preparation you're overlooking by accident. I wish I knew.
sands of time	I have been drinking kava for about 2-3 months now and I have noticed this as well. The strangest thing that I noticed after using kava, 2 glasses, was when I began to notice vision changes. I was watching the omen and it became very hard to focus on the movie. I could see the TV but I could only concentrate only on a small portion of the TV, not the rest of the screen. This I thought was very unusual so I decided to go and listen to some music. Well as I was scanning my wall, which is covered in posters, I found it hard to focus again but on top of that I began to see odd shapes off to the corners of my eyes. I have never heard of anyone experiencing the same thing as a result of drinking kava and I was in a state of disbelief that this stuff could be responsible for all that! Nothing that "trippy" has ever happened to me since.
jposer	I know it has been a while since I posted this topic, but since that time I have started drinking Kava at the traditional time of after work, but before dinner. Amazing! The effects are almost always good. I think the empty stomach idea is more important that most people realize. Must have something to do with absorption. If I try eating dinner and waiting 2 or 3 hours, sometimes the effects are good, sometimes not. In the evening, if I wait too long, I get tired, and that also counters the effects.
Kava_d	I have been drinking Kava Kava for about 3 years now, i think i am pretty good with 'listening' to the kava, but it does take practice. I have tried numerous websites, both dried and fresh(green) Kava and enjoy drinking from a Tanoa. I feel the effects vary dramatically within every aspect of the Kava drinking process as well as state of mind. The ultimate experience i feel is attained by respectfully following the techniques for making and driking the Kava as close as posible to the way that is done by indigenous peoples throughout the pacific; they are after all the worlds experts. IF you would like to enjoy kava the true way then some research is key. Your Kava friend Bryan
Nakamal Pimp	I would also like to elaborate on Kava d's view on kava kava. I have also been drinking kava for about 2 years now since back wehn i first started to experiment with it in pill form, which i later found out to be a very mild and innefective form of it. I have been able to drink kava recreationally and have found its affects to be so envigorating that i cant stop myself from enjoying a nice shell or two on a daily basis. The feeling that it gives you is one of euphoria that has the ability to mellow me out andallow me to think about my surroundings and get i touch with nature and the world itself. I recommend it to anyone who is interested, due to this fact and the fact that it does wonders for the body as well. "Get Kava'ed Up"