Can Kava Help With Depression?

Let's Be Really Real

There are times in every person's life where you see hell. It's a glimmer in the distance often assumed to be a mirage, but it's there. Suffering is a part of life and internal suffering can turn into a bottomless pit of unworthiness which over time can suck your soul from reality. A specific type of internal suffering known as depression is really like a death from within.

Responsibility

The good of human beings is the light that holds this world together. Your responsibility and your moral duty is to bring YOUR OWN DIVINE LIGHT into this world. To stand in safety, in fear, in indecision, is to withhold your light from shining upon all of us.

How Come We're Writing This

Most blogs on this topic either don't give any REAL information or are filled with clickbait designed to earn commissions. When you're in that hell, you don't know what you don't know, and these people see you as a golden ticket to money. Hopefully what you find here will be different and actionable.

So What IS Depression

Depression is classified as a mental illness that brings a negative impact to how we act, think and feel. Depression is similar to grief and sadness in that it's a negative emotion, but that similarity is really the only thing they have in common. Most people report feelings of extreme worthlessness, loneliness, and a loss of appetite for the things they used to love and enjoy.

Some Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Slowness of breath, heaviness in body, prolonged inability to make decisions, anhedonia, dulled colors and emotions, and a heavy inward feeling of being slowly pulled deeper are all markers of depression.

Neurotransmitters Affects on Depression

Antidepressants in combination with psychotherapy is said to be the first treatment people with depression get. Dopamine and Serotonin are two neurotransmitters that are involved in regulating mood, motivation, and reward processing. Exercise has been shown to increase both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Thoughts about Prescription drugs

SSRIs work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin into the cells that release it, thus allowing more serotonin to remain in the space between neurons. However, there's preliminary evidence showing how exogenous neurotransmitters being applied over long periods can reduce the natural states of these neurotransmitters, creating artificial chemical dependency.

Developing a QRF (Quick Reaction Force)

A QRF list is a list of actions you can take that you know won't kill you, that you can accomplish or at least get close to accomplishing. When you're facing adversity, you can reflect on these action items and take one immediately. This multi-faceted approach gives you tools tailored for your specific needs and comfort.

The Importance of Balance

You're made up of billions of micro-organisms that just so happened to work together in a harmonious cycle of balance to create a human being. Too much of anything can be a recipe for disaster. Physical activity, diet, social life, and spiritual connection all must be balanced to achieve mental wellness.

The Importance of Flexibility and Balance

Flexibility is crucial since we no longer hunt or forage. Our bodies are locking up more from sitting. Stretching routines and movement practices help restore range of motion and support mental health through dopamine and serotonin release.

Balancing Your Diet to Stave the Devil Away

Specific nutrients important for managing depression include omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium. It's also important to maintain a balanced intake of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium for proper nerve and muscle function.

Drinking More Water

Dehydration can cause the blood to flow slower and reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the cells and tissues of the body. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, fainting, and mental disorders. Your brain needs blood flowing and it needs oxygen.

Write a Cookie Jar List

A cookie jar is essentially a list of the major achievements you have done in your life. When you're facing adversity or struggle, you can reflect on these things you overcame and remember what you are made of. This is a powerful tool coined by David Goggins in his work on mental toughness.

Get Ready to Get Uncomfortable

Doing hard things and pushing yourself beyond your limits is a practice in Japanese culture called misogi. By challenging oneself to become a better person through difficult tasks, one can develop resilience, discipline, and mental toughness which can be applied to other areas of life.

Volunteer to Help Someone Else

Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and meaning. When people volunteer, they are working towards a cause that they care about, and this can give them a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Research has found that participation in voluntary services is significantly predictive of better mental and physical health.

Take a Dopamine Detox

A dopamine detox is a period of time during which a person intentionally avoids activities that stimulate dopamine release. This can include avoiding social media, Netflix, and other online platforms, as well as overeating and sugar consumption. The purpose is to reset the brain's reward system and reduce dependence on dopamine-inducing activities.

Exercise and Depression

Exercise is said to be one of the best ways to reduce depression. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health, reducing stress, and improving mood. Self care is not candles and wine—it's doing what you said you were going to do. Get up early. Exercise. Put in real effort. Sweat. BUILD REAL CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Depression

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is possibly the best single activity you can do to combat depression because it combines multiple depression-fighting elements: you gain clarity through the belt system, you gain confidence by keeping promises to yourself, you develop social connections with a supportive community, you experience physical touch which is essential for mental health, and you gain real strength and spatial awareness.

Support Groups and Depression

Aside from family and friends there are people or groups of people out there who are willing to listen without judgment. Talking to people who share the same experience is a reminder that you are not alone. However, be careful not to completely surround yourself with others who are suffering, as this can become a victim cycle and be detrimental to your progress.

Forgive Yourself

Being able to forgive yourself and those who hurt you means letting go of the things that are weighing you down. When a person is depressed, they start blaming themselves for everything. When you decide to forgive yourself and those who hurt you, that's when you start to see the light. Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.

Kava and Depression

Kava is well known for its ability to reduce anxiety and relax the muscles. With kava's anti-anxiety properties, you may sleep better at night and wake up in a lighter mood. Kava can also help you become more social, which is a challenge when you have depression because you would prefer to be alone. But kava should be a cherry on top, not the main course.

Conclusion

Depression may seem like it'll last a lifetime but it won't. There are many ways to cope with depression. Our mental health plays a vital role in our lives and is a multivariate system that you can approach from all sorts of angles. The suffering you are feeling now will not last. You are not alone in your battle. Always remember: you're loved, you're worthy, and you matter.