Kava vs Kratom: What You Need To Know
Nov 14, 2025
Kava and kratom are two very different plants with different origins and effects.
Kava and kratom are often served together at kava bars around the U.S..
Kava is sold legally across the U.S. as a dietary supplement.
Kava and kratom are two plant-based substances that have recently gained a lot of attention, especially for their relaxing and pain-relieving effects. People often use them separately or even together to try to enhance their benefits. However, because they share some similarities, there’s a lot of confusion about how they work, their risks, and their legal status. Let’s break down the key differences between kava and kratom, explore their safety profiles, and clarify where each stands in terms of legality.
Kava and kratom might seem similar at first glance, but they’re quite different under the surface.
Kava vs. Kratom: What’s the Difference?
While both kava and kratom are derived from plants and have a long history of traditional use for medicinal and recreational purposes, they are actually quite distinct.
Kava comes from the root of the Piper methysticum plant, native to the South Pacific Islands. Traditionally, kava has played a big role in ceremonial rituals and is valued for its ability to ease anxiety, reduce pain, and promote restful sleep (IIRC, 2016). The active components in kava are called kavalactones, which work by modulating GABA receptors and other neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to its signature calming effects.
Kratom, on the other hand, is made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which grows in Southeast Asia. Kratom has also been used for centuries, particularly for its pain-relieving properties and its ability to boost alertness (Cinosi et al., 2015). Its primary active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, interact mainly with the brain’s opioid receptors, which explains both its pain relief and its potential for dependence.
Both kava and kratom have even shown promise in the treatment of substance abuse (Cinosi et al., 2015), but their effects and risks are very different.
Safety and Side Effects
Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each substance:
Kava:
Benefits: Calming effects without cognitive impairment, non-addictive (Upton, 2025).
Risks: Generally safe when high-quality “Noble kava” is used. However, poor-quality or improperly processed kava (especially if it contains leaves or stems) can cause liver toxicity. Fortunately, liver issues often resolve after stopping kava use.
Recommendation: Opt for Noble kava, which has a long track record of safety and effectiveness. Avoid non-noble varieties due to higher risk of side effects.
Kratom:
Benefits: Pain relief, mood enhancement, and sedation.
Risks: Unlike kava, kratom carries a risk of addiction and withdrawal. Its active compounds mimic opioid drugs (albeit to a lesser degree), raising concerns about dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and even serious effects like seizures or respiratory depression (Swogger & Walsh, 2018).
Recommendation: Use caution, especially if you have a history of substance use or are sensitive to opioids.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Kava | Kratom | |
| Mild Effects | Nausea, headache, dry skin, dizziness | Nausea, constipation, sweating, loss of appetite |
| Serious Concerns | Rare liver toxicity (mainly from non-traditional extracts or high doses) | Dependence, withdrawal, liver injury, seizures, respiratory depression |
| Addiction Potential | Low to none | Moderate to high (opioid-like dependence possible) |
Legal Status in the U.S.A.
Kava: Sold legally nationwide as a supplement.
Kratom: Legal in most states, but banned or restricted in Alabama, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Vermont. These restrictions are mainly due to kratom’s opioid-like mechanism of action.
Why the Confusion?
Kava and kratom are often sold in similar places (like kava bars), and sometimes even used together, which makes it easy to mix them up. However, they come from different plants, different parts of the world, and have very different effects and risks. Many people mistakenly think they’re basically the same, but as we’ve seen, that’s not the case.
Summary
To sum up: Kava and kratom might look similar at first glance, but they’re quite different under the surface. Kava is best known for its relaxing, anxiety-reducing properties and has a very low addiction risk when used properly. Kratom acts more like a stimulant or opioid, offering pain relief but with a much higher risk of dependence and withdrawal. As interest in these substances continues to grow, it’s important to understand these differences to make informed choices.
References
Cinosi, E., Martinotti, G., Simonato, P., Singh, D., Demetrovics, Z., Roman-Urrestarazu, A., Bersani, F.S., Vicknasingam, B., Piazzon, G., Li, J.H., Yu, W.J., Kapitány-Fövény, M., Farkas, J., Di Giannantonio, M., & Corazza, O. (2015). Following "the Roots" of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): The Evolution of an Enhancer from a Traditional Use to Increase Work and Productivity in Southeast Asia to a Recreational Psychoactive Drug in Western Countries. BioMed Research International, 2015, 968786. Link
IIRC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (2016). Chapter 1, Exposure Data. In Some Drugs and Herbal Products (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 108). Lyon, FR: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Link
Upton R (editor). 2025. Kava Rhizome and Root Piper methysticum G. Forst. Monograph and Therapeutic Compendium. Scotts Valley, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia®.
Swogger, M.T., & Walsh, Z. (2018). Kratom Use and Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 183, 134–140. Link
