Does kava cause hallucinations in Aboriginal populations in eastern Arnhem Land (Australia)?

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Isolated reports exist in the literature of hallucinations occurring as harmful outcomes of kava use. Kava's well-known mood-altering qualities contrast sharply with reports of such serious unwanted side effects. Arnhem Land Aboriginal people have used kava since 1982. Is there any evidence that kava use is associated with these kinds of effects in this population?Objectives: This paper describes the context and circumstances for 18 individuals who were reported to have experienced hallucinations in a sample of the Miwatj population in eastern Arnhem Land (Northern Territory. NT) (see Clough. Cairney. Maruff, Burns & Currie. 2001). The role of kava use in these occurrences is discussed. Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis use and petrol sniffing as well as psycho-social factors were also noted in community health clinic files and health worker reports.Results and conclusions: There was no evidence that hallucinations recorded in individuals were related to kava use. Instead, social and personal stress, pre-existing psychiatric conditions and excessive use of alcohol were more prominent. To describe the kinds of perceptual shifts experienced by kava users as hallucinations would seem imprudent without consideration of other environmental factors.