It's a Kava Tea Party and Everyone is Invited!

Kava is an alternative to alcohol, as explained in previous blogs. Many people drink alcohol to eliminate the day's stress or just to "clear their head." What people tend to forget is that alcohol is a depressant and if someone is in a negative state of mind, too much alcohol can lead to problems.

According to the center for disease control (CDC), there are approximately 79,000 deaths related to alcohol abuse each year. Alcohol abuse, as in, binge drinking, heavy drinking, drinking and driving, and simply drinking irresponsibly, is so common yet many don't realize the damage they are causing.

It's one thing to have a drink or two every now and then, but when you're drinking every day, drinking constantly, all you can think about is being drunk, I think it's safe to say there's a problem. Unfortunately, if people don't have alcohol, what else will they use to "relax?" Of course prescription medication can help, but we go back to chemicals and unknown substances. Not everyone can get "medical marijuana," and some don't even really agree with it. 

Kava has existed for thousands of years, but it was only until recently that it has become a growing business. However, it is important to remember the true and honest reasons for drinking kava. Not because it is the cool new thing to do. Not because everyone is doing it. Not because celebrities are drinking it. Not because society expects you to.  Drink kava to escape your own mental madness and just learn to relax.

An interesting video about kava was posted on You Tube recently, exploring the kava culture in Vanuatu, and how kava plays an important role in their society. In Vanuatu, the government's attempt to enhance kava drinking, included placing high taxes on alcohol. This would decrease the amount of people drinking alcohol due to high taxes, and would make more people drink kava.  Due to this, the amount of violence decreased significantly  and there was said to be more peace on the island.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFuYsSq4914

This should not be of any surprise to those familiar with kava. Kava's purpose, to bring relaxation and reduce the amount of violence and negativity in the islands,  should be respected and understood.  Kava time fun time exists only when the atmosphere/ environment is  positive. Back before the American Revolution, Britain decided to impose higher taxes on their tea and as a result, "the Boston Tea Party," occured leading to an American Revolution. 

If America were to impose higher taxes on alcohol, many people might become a little upset. But what if we introduced kava at the same time and took away the alcohol? We could  call it the Kava Tea Party,  everyone drinks kava as opposed to alcohol and the results might be surprising. It would be America's new Revolution.  "All I can do is just pour some tea for two, and speak my point of view but its not sane."- No Rain, by Blind Melon. Who's ideas are sane? No one's really.  So just pour some kava tea, share ideas, and realize there's more to life than social status, materialism, and not forget to be thankful for everything we have. Once we figure this out, we will be amazed at how less stressed we are and how easy it is to stay away from addiction- whether its alcohol or any other drugs.