Just this week, new federal data was released showing that anxiety continues to rise in the United States, per researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are a few stats from their most recent report on anxiety, Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Adults: United States, 2019 and 2022:

• A total of 18.2% of adults reported problems with anxiety in 2022.
• Anxiety in adults increased by 2.6% from 2019 to 2022.
• 26.6% of people 18-29 reported struggling with anxiety over the past two weeks.

If you’re no stranger to the scaries (let’s lighten the mood a little), you know how anxious feelings can easily snowball into panic, depression, and even physical pain. 

In short, anxiety sucks, and it’s not easy to deal with. 

Luckily, there are now natural, accessible solutions you don’t need to see a naturopath to get. Plant-based wellness is an ancient idea, but it began to resurface in popularity around 1999, ushering in a new era where exploration into natural remedies is not only acceptable but encouraged.

Two of these natural remedies being used today en masse by anxiety sufferers all over the world are kratom and kava. Both have been used for centuries and both come from the exact same part of the world, Southeast Asia. Today, kava has become especially popular in the form of kava bars. However, the question as to which one is better for anxiety, specifically, requires some investigation.

Here’s what we know and what we don’t about kratom vs kava for alleviating anxiety symptoms.** 

**Anxiety that negatively affects your ability to function day to day is a serious condition that should be addressed with a healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new health regimen. 

 

Kratom and anxiety: What we know

Kratom powder, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained massive popularity in recent years as a natural solution for pain, anxiety, and symptoms of opioid withdrawal. 

Kratom contains more than 50 known compounds called alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain.

As far as safety and therapeutic potential, there are currently hundreds of studies on kratom. In this scientific review published this year, the authors who examined a bulk of the most relevant literature found that kratom has “therapeutic potential in some persons” and notably, that there are few risks associated with users who don’t concurrently partake in other drugs.

The most recent literature to support kratom as an effective natural remedy for anxiety is based on surveys and data-mining of social media. For example, this examination of social media texts and this analysis of 13 years worth of Reddit discussion on kratom found that it indeed renders a profound, beneficial effect on perceived anxiety symptoms, especially those related to opioid withdrawal. Some users even report that they mix kratom with other natural herbs to manage anxiety more effectively. But there are concerns about kratom addiction, especially with prolonged use.

More studies on the topic reveal the same conclusion of efficacy. This famous 2020 Johns Hopkins survey of 2,798 kratom users found that 67% used it to treat anxiety, second only to pain relief, and 87% of those using kratom to treat opioid withdrawal reported relief from symptoms, including anxiety.

This is all very promising, but what’s missing are clinical trials. And while the bulk of the research points to kratom as being relatively low-risk, it does have the propensity for dependence and addiction, particularly with people simultaneously abusing other drugs. 

Kava and anxiety: What we know

Kava, derived from the Piper methysticum plant, comes from the same part of the globe as kratom: the humid tropics of Southeast Asia, specifically Papua New Guinea. And like kratom, both kava and kratom have been used for hundreds of years in traditional Pacific Island cultures for their naturally calming effects. 

Kava boasts live phytochemicals of its own called kavalactones that interact with neurotransmitter receptors, including GABA receptors. GABA receptors are the gateway to the nervous system and play a major role in regulating both sleep and anxiety responses: 

This interaction helps to decrease anxiety and promote relaxation without the risk of dependency associated with many pharmaceutical alternatives. Furthermore, kavalactones have been found to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, contributing to mood regulation and further enhancing kava’s soothing effects.10 This multifaceted action on the brain’s neurotransmitter systems explains why kava has been a valued remedy for anxiety and stress.

To sum it up, significantly more studies have explored the potential benefits of kava in comparison to kratom, particularly for anxiety disorders. And there are actual clinical trials we can look at:

There’ve been around a dozen or so clinical trials that examined kava as a treatment for anxiety disorders with successful outcomes. However, like kratom, there is a safety concern with kava. Liver toxicity is the major risk that’s been documented for long-term kava use, specifically taking it for more than eight weeks at a time. 

Differences Between Kava & Kratom 

	Kava	Kratom
Therapeutic Effects	Calming, relaxing, anxiety reduction	Stimulant (low doses), sedative (high doses), pain relief
Mode of Action	Interaction with GABA receptors	Interaction with opioid receptors
Potential Side Effects	Liver toxicity with long-term use	Dependence, addiction, and other adverse effects
Legal Status	Regulated in some countries	Legal in many countries, but regulations vary

 

Final Verdict: Kava

Conclusively, there’s simply more evidence in favor of kava as an effective natural remedy for anxiety in comparison to kratom. Although kava and kratom have both been used for hundreds of years as traditional medicine, kava has been more scrutinized in clinical trials. These studies have shown promising results for kava's ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation with a more favorable safety rating than kratom.

Kratom is a relatively newer natural supplement in the Western world, and its research is still emerging, particularly related to safety and addiction potential. While there’s a handful of user-reported research to support kratom’s therapeutic benefits for anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, we still have a ways to go to understand its effects and safety profile at the same level we currently understand kava’s. It’s important to be aware of the risk of kratom addiction. 

This is not to say that kratom doesn’t work for anxiety, solely that the available empirical data leans in kava’s favor. Kava plant offers a longer history of safe use for anxiety and a more established body of scientific research, whereas kratom's potential risks, namely dependence and addiction, cannot be willingly ignored.

However, approach kava and kratom with caution. Consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new health regimen, especially if you have underlying conditions or take prescription medication.