Kavain
NootropicsPreclinical for isolated kavain (in-vitro and animal mechanistic data). Human randomized controlled trials exist for the parent standardized kava extract, of which kavain is the principal kavalactone; the single molecule itself has not been trialed alone.Also known as: Charisma
Kavain (kawain) is the principal kavalactone in kava (Piper methysticum) and the main compound behind kava's calming, anxiolytic effect. It positively modulates GABA-A receptors outside the benzodiazepine site and dampens voltage-gated Na+ and L-type Ca2+ channels.
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Overview
At A Glance
Kavain is the most abundant kavalactone in kava (Piper methysticum) and the main driver of the plant's calming activity. It is a research-use-only compound; the mechanisms below come from in-vitro and animal work on isolated kavain plus human trials of the parent kava extract.…
Overview
Kavain (kawain) is the principal kavalactone in kava (Piper methysticum) and the main compound behind kava's calming, anxiolytic effect. It positively modulates GABA-A receptors outside the benzodiazepine site and dampens voltage-gated Na+ and L-type Ca2+ channels. Sold as a research-use-only / supplement material in some regions; it carries a documented but idiosyncratic liver-injury risk. Research use only.
What to Expect
- •Onset within roughly 15-45 minutes of an oral dose; effects typically last a few hours
- •A calm, relaxed, often sociable and clear-headed feeling rather than heavy sedation at low doses
- •Mild muscle relaxation and reduced physical tension
- •Possible temporary tongue/mouth numbness with kava beverages (a local-anesthetic effect of kavalactones); less pronounced with capsules
- •At higher doses: drowsiness and reduced coordination - do not drive or operate machinery
- •No euphoric high; tolerance and next-day grogginess can appear with frequent use
Individual responses vary. Timeline based on commonly reported research observations.
Chemical Information
IUPAC Name
Not yet available
CAS Number
Not yet available
Molecular Formula
Not yet available
Molecular Mass
230.26 g/mol (C14H14O3; PubChem CID 837). Naturally occurring form is the (+)-enantiomer.
Dosing & Protocols
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Research
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Interactions
Interaction Matrix
Contraindications
Do not use with: existing liver disease or elevated liver enzymes; alcohol; other hepatotoxic drugs or supplements; pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid before driving or operating machinery, and before surgery (CNS-depressant and possible additive effects with anesthesia). Caution or avoid with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, Z-drugs and other CNS depressants (additive sedation). Because kava/kavain has dopamine D2 antagonist activity [PMID:11458444], avoid in Parkinson's disease or with dopaminergic therapy. Not for use under 18. Discuss with a clinician before use if you take any prescription medication, especially drugs metabolized by liver CYP450 enzymes.
Research Disclaimer
This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.
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Related Compounds
View All9-Me-BC (9-Methyl-β-carboline)
NootropicsPreclinical9-Methyl--carboline (9-Me-BC) is a synthetic -carboline alkaloid that has drawn nootropic-community interest for a preclinical property that is genuinely unusual among -carbolines: in rodent and cell-culture studies it appears to stimulate the dopaminergic phenotype - raising tyrosine hydroxylase, the number of differentiated dopamine neurons and dopamine content - while also showing neuroprotective, neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory effects, plus in-vitro MAO-A/MAO-B inhibition [PMID:17913302, PMID:20374418, PMID:32285253].
Aniracetam
NootropicsApproved (Italy)Aniracetam is a pyrrolidinone in the racetam family, developed by Hoffmann-La Roche under the code Ro 13-5057.
Bemethyl (bemitil)
NootropicsApproved (Russia)Bemethyl, known in the Russian literature as bemitil and sold in the region under names including Metaprot, Bemactor and Antihot, is 2-ethylthiobenzimidazole, normally handled as the hydrobromide salt.
Bromantane
NootropicsRussia ApprovedBromantane is an atypical psychostimulant and anxiolytic developed in the 1980s at the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, originally created as an adaptogen for Soviet military and elite athletic use and later approved in Russia for the treatment of neurasthenic and asthenic disorders under the trade name Ladasten.
Cyclazodone
NootropicsPreclinicalCyclazodone is the N-cyclopropyl derivative of pemoline, a 4-oxazolidinone stimulant.
Dihexa
NootropicsPreclinicalDihexa is a synthetic peptide analogue of the angiotensin IV metabolite LVV-hemorphin-7, developed at Washington State University.
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Protocols, calculator & safety for Kavain
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4/1/2026Research Score
0 PubMed results
Quality Indicators
Data Completeness
63%Quick Facts
Half-Life
Not firmly established for isolated kavain in humans. Kavalactones are lipophilic and rapidly absorbed, with subjective effects generally lasting a few hours. Limited pharmacokinetic data preclude a precise elimination half-life.
Molecular Weight
230.26 g/mol (C14H14O3; PubChem CID 837). Naturally occurring form is the (+)-enantiomer.
Trial Phase
Preclinical for isolated kavain (in-vitro and animal mechanistic data). Human randomized controlled trials exist for the parent standardized kava extract, of which kavain is the principal kavalactone; the single molecule itself has not been trialed alone.
Research Disclaimer
This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kavain the same thing as kava?
No. Kava is the whole Piper methysticum root and its extract, which contains at least six major kavalactones. Kavain is the single most abundant of those kavalactones and the main driver of kava's calming effect. Most human trials used standardized whole extract, not isolated kavain [PMID:23635869][PMID:19430766].
How does kavain calm anxiety?
It positively modulates GABA-A receptors without acting on the benzodiazepine site [PMID:27332705], and it blunts neuronal excitability by inhibiting voltage-gated Na+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels [PMID:9690349][PMID:11642654].
Is kavain addictive like benzodiazepines?
Kavain works outside the benzodiazepine site and has a low physical-dependence profile compared with benzodiazepines [PMID:27332705], but it can still impair coordination and cause next-day grogginess with frequent use. It is not a benzodiazepine substitute and should not be combined with one.
Is kavain safe for the liver?
Kava/kavain carries a real but idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity risk. Short controlled trials of standardized extract showed no liver-enzyme changes [PMID:23635869], but clinical and systematic reviews document cases of serious liver injury linked to high dose, long duration, poor material quality, alcohol and co-medication [PMID:20720265][PMID:27092496][PMID:34307603]. Avoid alcohol, get baseline and periodic liver labs, and stop at any sign of liver trouble.
How much kavain do people take?
Isolated-kavain supplements are typically 50-100 mg per dose; controlled kava trials delivered 120-250 mg total kavalactones per day [PMID:23635869][PMID:19430766]. There is no validated dose for isolated kavain - start low, keep it time-limited, and do not exceed the kavalactone range used in trials without medical guidance.
Can I take kavain with my medications?
Be cautious. Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, opioids, Z-drugs), avoid combining with hepatotoxic drugs, and avoid with dopaminergic/Parkinson's medications due to kava's D2 antagonism [PMID:11458444]. Kavalactones can also inhibit liver CYP450 enzymes and raise levels of other drugs - check with a pharmacist or physician first.
Is kavain legal or approved?
It is not FDA-approved as a drug. It is sold as a supplement/RUO material in some regions, while whole-kava products are banned or restricted in several countries over liver concerns. Isolated D,L-kavain was once a prescription anxiolytic in Germany and was later withdrawn. Research use only.
Research Tools
Related Compounds
View All9-Me-BC (9-Methyl-β-carboline)
NootropicsPreclinical9-Methyl--carboline (9-Me-BC) is a synthetic -carboline alkaloid that has drawn nootropic-community interest for a preclinical property that is genuinely unusual among -carbolines: in rodent and cell-culture studies it appears to stimulate the dopaminergic phenotype - raising tyrosine hydroxylase, the number of differentiated dopamine neurons and dopamine content - while also showing neuroprotective, neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory effects, plus in-vitro MAO-A/MAO-B inhibition [PMID:17913302, PMID:20374418, PMID:32285253].
Aniracetam
NootropicsApproved (Italy)Aniracetam is a pyrrolidinone in the racetam family, developed by Hoffmann-La Roche under the code Ro 13-5057.
Bemethyl (bemitil)
NootropicsApproved (Russia)Bemethyl, known in the Russian literature as bemitil and sold in the region under names including Metaprot, Bemactor and Antihot, is 2-ethylthiobenzimidazole, normally handled as the hydrobromide salt.
Bromantane
NootropicsRussia ApprovedBromantane is an atypical psychostimulant and anxiolytic developed in the 1980s at the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, originally created as an adaptogen for Soviet military and elite athletic use and later approved in Russia for the treatment of neurasthenic and asthenic disorders under the trade name Ladasten.
Cyclazodone
NootropicsPreclinicalCyclazodone is the N-cyclopropyl derivative of pemoline, a 4-oxazolidinone stimulant.
Dihexa
NootropicsPreclinicalDihexa is a synthetic peptide analogue of the angiotensin IV metabolite LVV-hemorphin-7, developed at Washington State University.
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