December 29, 2022
Cameron George knows more about kava – including the confusing myths and truths surrounding this somewhat controversial plant – than anyone I know.
On this podcast, I had a chance to go on a walk with Cameron and talk all things kava, plant medicine and beyond. Cameron has been a previous guest on the show “The Natural Drug And Alcohol Alternative That May Transform The Future Of Mental Health: Everything You Need To Know About Kava With Cameron George.“, and as you'll discover, he's a fascinating guy.
So, who is Cameron George?
Cameron is a researcher, writer, entrepreneur, and the founder of TRU KAVA, a company that is striving to set the industry standard for quality, safety, and education around kava within the mass market. Since discovering the amazing effects of traditional kava during his own chronic illness, Cameron spent years investigating kava and has collaborated with many of the most prominent experts in the world within the fields of kava research and historical kava use.
TRU KAVA develops products that deliver the full therapeutic action of the traditional kava drink, which is the form that has been highly prized in the South Pacific islands for more than 3,000 years. Cameron has spent years working within a network of functional medicine physicians with whom he has been involved in clinical research and protocol development for neurodegenerative and trauma-related conditions.
The goal of TRU KAVA is to provide the safest and most effective kava products on the market, as well as educate the public on the complex story surrounding all psychedelic plants including kava, explain some of the myths, the massive variation of quality on the market, and the many amazing benefits that kava can offer to the modern world when it’s used correctly in its traditional form. TRU KAVA is an initiative to educate on the clear distinction that the scientific literature and historical accounts have made between safe and questionable kava products, as well as to advocate for the use of only lab-tested safe kava varieties.
During our discussion, you'll discover:
-What are the effects of kava?…5:48
- TRU KAVA (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
- Previous podcast with Cameron George:
- What is kava?
- Hawaiian drink that usually has the effect of cannabis
- Not psychedelic, doesn’t take you into altered state
- Enhanced state of natural sobriety
- Kanaka Kava
- Codex Alimentarius Commission (WHO) separates food-grade kava from extracts
- Extracts – denatured forms extracted with solvents that isolate a few of the active constituents, turning it into pharmaceuticals
- Real kava in its traditional form contains a balanced effect of headiness and heaviness; gives activating and relaxing effect at the same time
- There is a spectrum of kava effects – expressing one characteristic more than the other
- Caffeine and 100mg of L-theanine
- Ben’s experience – body very relaxed, brain focused
- TRU KAVA – balanced, contains both effects, in the middle of the spectrum
- TRU KAVA plans for the future – specialized products that amplify one characteristic over the other
- Cumulative build-up effect of kava – it should be consumed at least 2 to 4 weeks
- Reverse tolerance effect of kava
- Well-documented anthropologically and scientifically
- The effect of drugs – over time you need more substance to achieve the same effect
- The effect of kava – over time you need less substance to achieve the same effect, no tolerance, non-addictive
- Great for getting off from pharmaceuticals, anti-addictive
-Not all plants in nature are consumable…18:37
- Some plants are ready to interface with humans in a direct way, others have adaptive defenses that make it difficult to interface with human body
- Kava belongs to the first group
- Protector of the nervous system, emotions, good processor of trauma
- Liver toxicity of kava – a story based on ignorance and misperception
- One German company tried to get kava lactones
- Ended with cheap, low-quality material
- They used leaves and stems, only the roots should be used
- They concentrated plants' defense alkaloids
- Hurt many people and led to misconceptions
-What can kava be mixed with?…23:31
- Coffee and kava combo – if you need energy, clarity, and focus
- Kavaplex MIND tincture
- Intensifies natural euphoria, nootropic kick
- Adding MCT Oil increases the transport of kava lactones (use code BEN to save 10%)
- Lower amounts – performance-enhancing aid
- Higher amounts – muscle relaxant
- Effect of alcohol without alcohol
- Feel Free (use code BEN40 to save 40%)
- R1,3 Butanediol
- Keto drinks and kava combo
- Previous podcast with Cameron George:
- Adaptive and protective characteristics developed in kava plant
- Transfer to humans
- Hit on almost every neuro and tissue-protective pathway that we know of
- Metabolic effect of kava
- Activates AMP kinase
- Suppresses mTOR
- Puts body in cell recycling, similar to ketones
- Kava and Kratom combo – not recommended but can use with caution
- Kava plant
-Ben’s current position on the use of plant medicines and the whole psychedelic phenomenon…39:00
- Podcast with Josh Trent:
- Psychedelics have the capability to open up a portal to the other world
- Allows you to interact with entities and spirit
- A method to interact with the spiritual world
- Concerns – entities or spirits you encounter in that space might not have your best interests in mind
- Regular methods for interacting with spiritual world – prayer, devotion, meditation, silence, solitude, fasting
- Taking a pill or a brew to enter the spiritual world is problematic
- 1 out of 9 people come out of it with serious mental problems – psychosis, schizophrenia
- The idea that plant medicines are the way to reach God is problematic
- Became way too popular without a huge warning sign
- It is not necessary for spiritual enlightening
- There is a little bit more safety with synthetic compounds
- Less spiritual experiences
- DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman
- Biblical term pharamakia – using drugs to commune with the Divine or God
- It is strictly forbidden by God
- Pharmakia by Robert Orem
- 5-HT2 receptors
- The Cover Story podcast
- Cameron’s experience with psychedelics
- Some things are neither good nor bad; depends on the way you use them
- The difference between experiencing God with plant medicine and knowing God in your day-to-day existence
- Plant medicine podcasts:
-Wrapping up…1:06:39
- A choice between victimhood and personal responsibility
- The piece that is missing – structure, discipline, integration
- Plant medicine can be used as a tool
- Building a house with bricks and tools analogy
- We all learn how to live life, grow, and progress as responsibly and safely as we can
-And much more…
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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- TRU KAVA (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
– Podcasts:
- The Natural Drug And Alcohol Alternative That May Transform The Future Of Mental Health: Everything You Need To Know About Kava With Cameron George.
- The Pros And Cons Of Plant Medicines, The Truth About Pharmakia, Spiritual Growth & Much More With Josh Trent Of Wellness + Wisdom.
- The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 2
- The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 1
– Books:
- DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman
- Pharmakia by Robert Orem
– Other Resources:
- Kion Coffee
- L-theanine
- MCT Oil
- Feel Free (use code BEN40 to save 40%)
- Ketone Aid R1,3 Butanediol
- HVMN
- Kratom
- Kanaka Kava
- Codex Alimentarius Commission
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Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Robert Orem or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!
