Kava Kava Mechanism of Action/s : How Does Kava Affect Receptors & Neurotransmitters?

Kava is a natural anti-anxiety medication used mostly as a powder or smoked as a resin, it tends to produce fast-acting alleviation from panic and in many cases, social phobia [1] [2] [3]. Kava Kava extract has been discussed @longecity, the popular anti-aging / life extension community, for it's ability to 'upregulate' GABA receptors; which means to increase the number of GABA receptors in the brain/body. 

Kava seems to have many mechanisms of action besides GABA upregulation, including, but perhaps not limited to...

1. Sodium (Na+) channel blockade [4].
2. Calcium Channel (Ca2+) blockade/inhibition [5].
3. Dopaminergic activities, by blocking removal/degradation of dopamine and by inhibition of MAO-B (monoamine oxidase-B) [6].
4. Displacing/antagonizing serotonin activity, therefore stopping serotonin's actions at certain sites in the Brain [7].
5. Activating the CB1-receptor (Cannibinoid-1) similarly to THC/Cannabis [8].

Affecting alpha-wave and gamma-wave activity similarly to how L-Theanine increases slow-wave activity and calms the nerves [9] [10]. 

Lastly, Kava Kava extract seems to alter the transport direction of norepinephrine, normally reversing it or inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine would cause an anxiogenic-effect, or anxiety provoking effect, but in some cases, increased/enhanced norepinephrine in specific areas of the brain may actually alleviate racing thoughts by shifting environmental focus [10].

I recommend buying Top Extract's Organic Kava Kava Extract, best bang for your buck and he's a real good guy who really puts his passion and honesty into helping people! It's not a large commercial, over-sized greed-wrenched business like some of the supplement companies out there.