Piper mythysticum is commonly called kava. The roots of the kava plant are thought to confer significant anxiolytic effects on humans and animals. The effects of kava are thought to be conferred through the activity of kavalactones acting on the GABA system of the brain. In this regard the excitability of the brain is reduced and the overall effect is that of a calming nature. Animal studies confirm the anxiolytic effects of kava, and also show that it may possess antidepressant effects. For example, in one study, researchers investigated the effects of oral kava on the behaviour of rats after exposing them to experimental stress. The results of the study showed that the kava was able to cause behavioural changes that could be described as antidepressant in nature. The authors concluded that the kava extract possessed a significant antistress effect and that this effect was evident in rats administered root extracts of kava orally. This supports a growing body of evidence that kava possesses significant mood elevating effects.
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