General Dosage
120-250mg kavalactones daily from standardized extract, or equivalent traditional preparation
Maximum dose: 300mg kavalactones/day (German Commission E recommendation). Limit use to 3 months without medical supervision.
Kava Dosage Guide
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Dosage Recommendations
General recommendation: 120-250mg kavalactones daily from standardized extract, or equivalent traditional preparation
Timing: For anxiety: divided doses 2-3 times daily. For sleep: single dose 1-2 hours before bed. Best taken on an empty stomach for faster absorption.
Dosage by Condition
| Condition | Recommended Dose | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized anxiety | 120-240mg kavalactones daily (Sarris protocol: start 120mg, titrate to 240mg) | Strong |
| Acute anxiety / situational stress | 100-200mg kavalactones as needed | Moderate |
| Sleep support | 150-250mg kavalactones, 1-2 hours before bed | Emerging |
| Muscle tension | 120-200mg kavalactones daily | Emerging |
Upper limit: 300mg kavalactones/day (German Commission E recommendation). Limit use to 3 months without medical supervision.
Timing & Absorption
For anxiety: divided doses 2-3 times daily. For sleep: single dose 1-2 hours before bed. Best taken on an empty stomach for faster absorption.
Can be taken with or without food.
References
- Pittler MH, Ernst E (2003). Kava extract for treating anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. DOI PubMed
- Sarris J, Stough C, Bousman CA, et al. (2013). Kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. DOI PubMed
- Teschke R, Sarris J, Lebot V (2012). Kava hepatotoxicity solution: a six-point plan for new kava standardization. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed
- Sarris J, LaPorte E, Schweitzer I (2011). Kava: a comprehensive review of efficacy, safety, and psychopharmacology. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. DOI PubMed