Kava tested as treatment for anxiety

The medicinal South Pacific plant Kava has been tested as a treatment for anxiety in a new study.

It is being considered as a treatment for hundreds of thousands of Australians who have to deal with generalised anxiety disorders (GAD), which are complex conditions that impact people’s lives, reports Asian Scientist.

The study was led by the University of Melbourne and has been published in the Journal of Clinical Pyschopharmacology, discovering that people’s genetic differences of certain neurobiological proteins may alter their response to Kava.

As part of the eight week study, 75 patients with clinically diagnosed GAD were given either Kava or placebo, with anxiety levels being regularly assessed.

Those in the Kava group were provided tablets twice per day, which consisted of water-soluble extracted Kava for a total dose of 120mg of kavalactones for the first three-week controlled phase.

Dr Jerome Sarris from department of psychiatry at the University of Melbourne told the news provider: “Based on previous work we have recognized that plant based medicines may be a viable treatment for patients with chronic anxiety.

“In this study we’ve been able to show that Kava offers a potential natural alternative for the treatment of chronic clinical anxiety. Unlike some other options it has less risk of dependency and less potential for side effects.”

Dr Sarris went on to say that the study may “pave the way” for genetic tests to determine the individuals who may have a reduction in anxiety from taking Kava.

The study also found that Kava was well tolerated, with results showing no substantial differences through the two groups for liver function. In the past, this had been a concern for the medicinal use of Kava.

Furthermore, there were no adverse reactions that could be attributed to Kava, while no difference was found in withdrawal or addiction between the groups.