The most common use for Kava is to support the body to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and treat sleep problems (insomnia).

Kava has also been used to support symptoms for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, muscle pain, and cancer prevention.

Kava affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system, and it's the kava-lactones in kava are believed to be responsible for its effects.

Kava has been made famous in New Zealand as a sports recovery elixir. Kiwi Rugby League, Canberra Raiders and Warriors legend Rubean Wiki was known to use Kava as game day recovery.