Kava Hangover and Gold-standard Science

Abstract

Kava, a beverage drunk in much of the South Pacific,
is both celebrated and controversial. It is often considered an
emblem of traditional indigenous practice but also criticized
for its physical effects on heavy drinkers. This article reports
the results of a study wherein tests were administered to
schoolteachers in Fiji to measure effects of the previous night's
drinking. The tests revealed that kava intoxication seems to
affect processing speed but not working memory. The authors
caution that the results must be balanced by acknowledgement
of kava's role in bringing communities together in support of
institutions such as schools.