Kava drinking in traditional settings: Towards understanding effects on cognitive function.

Area of Science:

• Psychopharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Traffic Safety

Background:

• Kava is a traditional Pacific Island beverage gaining popularity globally.
• High kava consumption is linked to impaired motor control and slowed responses.
• Concerns exist regarding the safety of driving after consuming large kava volumes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cognitive functions in individuals after consuming high volumes of kava (over 2,000 mg kavalactones).
• To identify potential risks associated with kava consumption and driving.
• To evaluate the impact of kava on reaction time and divided attention.

Main Methods:

• A controlled study involving 20 kava consumers and 20 controls over a 6-hour period.
• Cognitive function assessment using the Vienna Test System-Traffic battery.
• Evaluation of reaction time and divided attention during and after kava consumption.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found in cognitive tests between kava consumers and controls.
• Observed slowing of movement and speech in kava consumers as consumption progressed.
• Discrepancies noted between objective test results and subjective/observed impairments.

Conclusions:

• Current cognitive tests may not fully capture the driving impairment risks associated with high kava intake.
• Observed physical impairments in kava consumers warrant further investigation.
• More research is crucial to understand the real-world driving risks of kava consumption.