If you’ve ever visited a wellness bar in popular cities, you may have come across something new on the menu: kava. Once largely unknown outside the South Pacific, kava has recently grown in popularity as a way to relax. Kava is derived from the shrub Piper methysticum, which is found in Micronesia and Polynesia. Wellness bars market kava as a natural, non-alcoholic way to promote relaxation. Kava has become appealing to individuals looking to unwind without the undesirable side effects of alcohol or sugary foods and beverages.

As kava continues to grow in popularity, many people are beginning to ask an important question: Can kava be addictive? While certain researchers suggest that kava may exhibit addictive characteristics, further studies are required to conclusively establish its potential for addiction. While many people express concern over kava’s potential for addiction, comparatively little attention is given to the well-documented addictive nature of substances like sugar. Sugar is in our coffee drinks, snacks, and just about every processed food on the shelf. While sugar has become widely accepted, normalized, and even celebrated in many situations, a growing body of evidence suggests it may be far more harmful and habit-forming than most people realize.

Both kava and sugar can promote the release of dopamine in the brain, impacting mood and stress levels. However, the impact they have on the body and their long-term effects are dramatically different.

Kava is a plant that is native to islands in the........

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