Heady vs. Heavy Kavas

Heady vs. Heavy Kavas

by Zac Holzapfel August 27, 2021

Heady Vs. Heady Kava: What does that even mean?

You're looking to buy a noble kava because you heard that it might be able to help you sleep, it may help you relieve anxiety, stress, or is a great social beverage as an alcohol alternative. It can be all that, but it also depends on what kind of kava you get.

You will see kava that's described in reviews as heavy, heady or balanced. You might even see ones that say they lean a certain way but later on, morph into something else. 

Below I'll explain what people mean by these terms and a bit on how to possibly identify them yourself.

First, it's very important to say this because you need to know it. Our bodies can react to kava differently. When a review says a kava might be one way, it might not be enough for you right then.

It may very well be a whole lot for you and you easily find out how much kava it takes to get krunked! It's no biggie, just be aware that these variables are a thing and you'll be ready for them. 

Next, below, we'll talk about chemotypes in all 3 types. Chemotypes are numbered, 123456. Each number represents the name of different compounds called kavalactones. Those kavalactones are:

  1. Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY)
  2. Dihydrokavain (DHK)
  3. Yangonin (Y)
  4. Kavain (K)
  5. Dihydromethysticin (DHM)
  6. Methysticin (M)

 

A chemotype mix will look like this 423651. The farther to the left the chemotype number is (like 4), the higher the percentage it is relative to the ones on the right. When you find a mix you like and see the percentages.

You can learn to choose kavas you haven't tried before based on your favorite chemotype mix. It's not completely infallible, so it'll be worth going out of your range to try new ones, but it's a decent start if you haven't tried any of a vendors kava. 

Heavy Kava

A heavy kava is sought after by people that are looking for full body relaxation. The perfect heavy kava will melt you into where you are. Make you feel extremely relaxed and can easily make you fall asleep. You will feel heavy kavas more in your body than in your mind. 

If you're studying or out with friends, this kava isn't for you at that time. 

If you've had a tough day, need a bit of help to unwind and you're not going anywhere anytime soon a heavy kava might be perfect for you. 

Kavas that are higher in chemotype 2 and 6 are usually on the heavier side. Chemotype 5 can be an indicator as well. However, a chemotype of 5 that is too high can result in negative effects like nausea.

What is a hangover you may ask? If a chemotype has a 5 in the far left the itll feel like the bad effects of alcohol because that kava powder is tudei kava.

Heady Kava

If you're looking for a kava that is less of a sedative and more to help loosen you up for social situation, even stimulating, a heady kava might be for you. 

A heady kava would even be great while studying or doing anything creative. 

Heady kavas effect the mind more so than the body likely producing euphoric or uplifting effects. 

Kavas that are higher in chemotype 4 and 3 are more likely to be farther to the left in heady kavas. 

Balanced Kava

This kind of kava is as the name implies. Somewhere in between heavy and heady. These kavas are fantastic for beginners, because they tend to not give you too much either on one side or another. 

Most balanced kavas have a different chemotype mix, so it's difficult to pin down an exact chemotype that will constitute as balanced. That said, there might be a ratio between two or a mix of two that will be more telling. 

Finally

Drinking kava is a simple experience. Finding good information on the internet can prove to be difficult.

Chemotypes and kavalactones can be very difficult to undertand. If you know what each kavalactone means and how they feel for you, you are way ahead of the game. Most people do not.

It takes a lot of trying various types of kava. Not only that, it takes a vendor willing to post their certificate of analysis per batch, for that information to be trustworthy. Right now, Art of Kava is leading the industry in that kind of transparancy.

Hopefully you're drinking glass is full of kava and no amount of alcohol is in sight. The effects of kava are wonderful and the rabbit hole of knowledge about the kavalactone mix called chemotypes is deep.

If you're seeing this at the beginning of your kava jorney, you will now know what to look for. If you have any questions, please feel free to connect with us on the chat feature on the webstie.

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What Our Customers Say

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2 Kava Sample Pack

Awesome 👍

I'm on day three of the tempo kava and it seems I feel a little more each day. Since I'm a first time user I'm hoping it will keep getting better as it builds up. I love the feeling and love the service. Answered right away and was very helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely buy more!

solomon lateral

I am new to kava and when my getting used to period was up i found this one to be what i imagined and heard..i tried 3 kinds. the shipping was very quick using ups ground. it was a clean relaxation that lasted a few hours and the flavor was lighter and nuttier than the other two. i have chronic pain so this will be a great addition to help with all the pains..ty.

Temotu Purple is my favorite color

This one has a taste of its own, and I love it. I hope it's more than just for a "Limited Time" !

J
2 Kava Sample Pack
Jeff Tarola
No Effect

Wanted to try Kava for calming effects and Art of Kava
seemed to be high quality. Found it has no effect on me
even with double dose brewing.

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for giving our kava a try!

If this is your first time with kava there are a few things that will effect your experience.
Kava effects different people differently and some experience reverse tolerance.
Reverse tolerance means that you're more tolerant in the beginning and over time you become less tolerant of the effects.

There are also variables in preparation that can effect your experience. Kava isn't prepared like a tea
And the kavalactones have to be pulled out, etc.

If you would like, please connect with us so we can help me your kava experience much better!
Our email is info@artofkava.com

Bula!

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