You may feel a bit of a buzz like you would if you drank some alcohol, but it's not necessarily going to be a “high” at least not in the way you think of it. Some people may experience euphoria or an increased level of sociability when taking kava, but this can vary pretty significantly from one person to the next.

Does kava feel like alcohol?

One of kava's major appeals, especially for the health-conscious, has to do with it's somewhat similar effects to alcohol, without the drawbacks (aka no hangovers!). While research hasn't yet shown kava's specific effects on the liver, there is much evidence to suggest that kava is a healthier alternative to alcohol.

Is kava worse than alcohol?

The short answer is: No. It's neither healthy, nor clearly desirable to drink kava with alcohol, or to even consume alcohol shortly after kava. This is primarily because kava can inhibit liver enzymes that are responsible for alcohol metabolism.