Abstract
Kava (Piper methysticum), a central nervous system depressant derived from a plant in the pepper family native to the Pacific Islands, is traditionally consumed in religious, cultural, political, and social ceremonies. In the United States, kava emerged in the late 1990s and has experienced renewed growth and product diversification since the 2010s, with increasing availability of concentrated extracts and ready-to-drink beverages. These commercial products are commonly marketed as healthy alternatives to alcohol, sold near college campuses, and increasingly being combined with kratom, a psychoactive botanical with opioid-like effects, raising safety concerns. Data on kava-related use during January 2000-December 2025 that resulted in a report to the National Poison Data System (i.e., kava exposure report) were analyzed to assess trends by users' demographic characteristics, exposure type, and outcomes. Kava-related exposure reports declined sharply after a 2002 Food and Drug Administration advisory on kava-associated severe liver injury but have risen steadily since 2011, reaching 203 reported exposures in 2025. Reports primarily involved adults aged ≥20 years, but demographic characteristics have changed over time. During 2000-2001, reports primarily involved females and included more children aged ≤12 years, whereas exposure reports since 2013 have predominantly involved men; reports involving children have been rare. Since 2017, reports involving combined use of kava and kratom have increased, reaching 30% (61) of all kava reports in 2025. These increases have coincided with higher rates of serious reported clinical outcomes in recent years (32% in 2025 compared with 12% in 2000). These data indicate a resurgence of overall kava exposure reports to poison centers, as well as an increase in kratom-related kava reports, which has coincided with higher rates of serious clinical outcomes. The findings in this report suggest the need for enhanced surveillance for, clinical awareness of, and public education regarding commercial products containing kava.