Exploring Advantages of Chemical Diversity: Kava and Kratom Together Enhance Quality of Life

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been traditionally used for their stimulating and pain-relieving properties (see the data on kratom alone for focus and energy). Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional plant from the South Pacific known for its calming and anxiolytic properties. Its primary active compounds, called kavalactones, interact with the brain's GABAergic system, producing effects similar to benzodiazepines but without the same level of sedation or risk of dependency.

While studies suggest that kava may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, improve sleep quality, and promote overall relaxation without impairing cognitive function, there is limited data on the efficacy of combinations of kratom and kava with only a single study showing that combinations are well-tolerated in humans and showed no significant signs of changes in clinical biomarkers or dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

This collaborative study with MoreBetter and NAP examined how VIVAZEN’s Stress Relief product affected general well-being and overall quality of life. Participants answered daily questions for 22 days while in the study. For the first 7 days participants answered questions before using VIVAZEN's Stress Relief product so we could collect a baseline. Starting on Day 8, participants were asked additional questions to understand frequency of use, dose, and product effects. On Day 0, 7, 14, and 21 participants answered the WHO-5 assessment tool to help use gauge overall well-being. On Day 22, participants answered a final series of questions, like an Exit Interview, where we asked them to reflect back on their 2 weeks with the product.

Observed Trends in Well-Being, Focus, Productivity, and Energy Levels

The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a widely used, validated questionnaire designed to measure self-reported psychological well-being. It consists of five simple statements related to positive mood, vitality, and general interest in life, rated on a 6-point Likert scale from 0 (“At no time”) to 5 (“All of the time”). The total score is multiplied by 4 to give a final score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better well-being. A change of 10% or more is considered clinically significant, making it a sensitive tool for tracking changes in overall quality of life over time.

Using the validated WHO-5 Well-Being Index, participants experienced a 10.59-point increase in well-being over three weeks—a 25.37% improvement, which exceeds the threshold for meaningful clinical change.

For the following data on focus, productivity, and overall energy levels participants responded to self-assessment questions and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the changes over time.

• Mental Clarity: Problems thinking clearly dropped by 15.5%.

• Task Focus: Improved by 23.17% over the study period.

• Daily Productivity: Participants went from averaging 4.5 hours of productive time to just over 6 hours—an extra 90 minutes of added productivity or a 34.72% increase.

• Energy Levels: Up by 20.48%, with many participants reporting smoother, more sustained energy throughout the day.

• Mood: Scores rose by 16.3%, and happiness ratings increased by nearly 19%.

• Fatigue: 63% reported feeling less worn out, and over 65% felt more productive.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Gender-specific Response to Beneficial Effects over Time

The study revealed notable gender-based differences in response to VIVAZEN’s Stress Relief formula. Specifically, female and gender-fluid participants experienced a statistically significant decrease in feelings of being worn out over time, while male participants showed a slight increase, though this trend was not statistically significant. This indicates that the combination of kava and kratom may have increased therapeutic benefit for overall energy levels for women and non-binary people.

Additionally, gender influenced the likelihood of reporting positive effects: female participants showed a steady, linear increase in positive experiences throughout the 14-day use phase, whereas male participants demonstrated a decline, with the gap between these groups becoming most pronounced around Day 14. These findings suggest that the product may offer more consistent and cumulative benefits for female and gender-fluid users, particularly in reducing fatigue and enhancing overall well-being.

As these gender-specific effects were not seen with kratom alone, this indicates that there may be gender-specific responses to the presence of kava in the formulation. There are many known gender-specific interactions of natural products. Further understanding gender-specific effects of natural products is critical to optimizing and tailoring these products for the maximum benefit.

These findings point to the combination of kava and kratom having a unique therapeutic profile that may be better suited for women or non-binary people.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Summary of Synergy of Kava and Kratom Combination versus Kratom Alone

REFERENCES

Sarris J, LaPorte E, Schweitzer I. Kava: A Comprehensive Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Psychopharmacology. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;45(1):27-35. doi:10.3109/00048674.2010.522554

Dufour, J., Lin, X. L., Wang, J., Baisley, J., Atif, A., Berthold, E. C., ... & Dufour, J. M. (2024). The Safety of Multiple-Dose Liquid Blend Containing Kava and Kratom in Healthy Adults. Cureus, 16(12).