Does Kava Show Up on a Drug Test? Everything You Need to Know

Kava is a natural herb derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, which is native to the South Pacific islands. It is mainly used to manage stress, relax, socialize, and ensure sound sleep. If you're someone who undergoes regular drug tests for work, athletics, the military, or for legal reasons, you might be wondering if kava is detectable on a drug test.

At Real Botanicals, we provide guidance on how to use kava safely and confidently. In this article, we'll answer your top questions about kava and drug testing: 

• Does kava show up on a drug test?

• Can kava make you fail a drug test or get a false positive result? 

• Do common drug testing formats detect kavalactones in your system? 

• How long does kava stay in your system? 

• How can you use kava responsibly? 
  
  

What Is Kava and How Does It Work in the Body?

Before understanding drug testing and kava detection, it’s essential to understand how kava interacts with the body. Here is a brief overview of kava and its active compounds: 

Brief Overview of Kava and Kavalactones

Kava, or Piper methysticum, is a botanical found in the South Pacific region. Its ground roots are used to make kava teas or other kava beverages, or it’s taken in capsule form as a natural supplement. Kava is rich in active compounds called kavalactones.

You may be familiar with kratom extraction and alkaloid content, but know little about the kavalactones in kava. Like kratom, kava’s active compounds (kavalactones) are responsible for its mood-enhancing and relaxing effects. Kavalactones interact with GABA receptors in the brain, thereby aiding in stress management and promoting relaxation. Its relatively safe use and non-addicting properties make kava a favored herbal supplement with use dating back thousands of years.

How Kava Is Metabolized

Whether you consume kava tea, kava drinks (check out these kava drink recipes), or add its powder to smoothies, kava is metabolized by the liver. This is where kavalactones are broken down and then circulate in the bloodstream

A 2018 study published in PubMed investigated the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of five major kavalactones: kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, and desmethoxyyangonin. This study demonstrated that kavalactones, primarily kavain, have a strong affinity for brain tissue, which explains why the effects can be felt in as few as 30 minutes from drinking a kava beverage. Kava effects can last for several hours before gradually tapering off.

Potential Effects of Kava

Though kava isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for medical conditions or disease, these are the effects most commonly attributed to kava consumption:

• Anxiolytic: Reduces tension via GABA-A receptor modulation.

• Sedative: Promotes relaxation and sleep without heavy impairment.

• Mild Euphoria: Enhances mood and social ease.

• Cognitive Dampening: May slightly impair attention or reaction time.

• Muscle Relaxant: Eases tension in skeletal muscles.

• Non-hallucinogenic: No psychedelic or psychotropic effects.

But, does kava show up on a drug test? No, kava is not likely to show up. Kava is not typically included on a drug test. The number one reason for this? Drug tests are not designed to detect kavalactones and other herbal supplements.   

Can You Test Positive After Drinking Kava?

Not likely. Kava drug test results rarely screen for kava and other herbal remedies. Here is a more in-depth look:

Common Types of Drug Tests

Some workplaces, sports authorities, and law enforcement agencies require drug tests to ensure your unimpaired function on the job. Sharp cognitive function is critical to your work performance, especially if your job requires operating heavy machinery, making split-second decisions, ensuring public safety, or managing high-risk situations where impairment could lead to serious consequences.  

There are four types of drug tests:

Standard Panels Do Not Test for Kava (As of May 2025)

As of May 2025, the majority of standard drug tests do not test for Kava. 

Standard drug panels are designed to test for certain substances, primarily:

• Marijuana (THC)

• Alcohol

• Cocaine

• Opioids

• Amphetamines. 

However, kavalactones are not included in these panel tests. This means that if you are taking a standard employment drug test, it's doubtful that kava will show up in your results simply because the test isn’t looking for it.

A drug test would need to be designed to screen for kavalactones for it to be detectable in a drug test. The two standard drug tests, 5-panel and 10-panel tests, cannot detect kava. Standard panel drug tests are most commonly performed through urinalysis or blood draw; however, this may vary depending on the requirements of your employer or organization.

Testing Panel Chart: What’s Tested and What’s Not

Here is a quick look at the standard drug tests and what they screen for (the specific substances that can show up on drug tests): 

Real-World Examples from Users

There are several online forums dedicated to sharing information about kava, including discussions on kava and drug testing. Please note that these are real-world experiences as reported by mostly non-professionals who have used the substance. Erowid and Reddit are the two most commonly used. Try subreddit r/Kava for personal testimonies and reports on kava experiences. 

While rabbit-holing your way through Reddit, remember that we can also help. Real Botanicals’ kava experts regularly receive testimonials from customers who rely on kava for its calming effects and undergo routine drug tests for work or athletics. Most customer testimonials demonstrate passing drug tests regularly, even with regular enjoyment of the botanical. 

Does Kava Cause a False Positive?

Many botanical substances can cause a false positive drug test because the drug tests are not designed to recognize kavalactones, and may falsely identify it as another substance. This is why it is essential to be transparent with your employer or organization about your use of kava.

Rare Interactions or Misconceptions

Although Kava does not show up on standard drug tests, false positives are rare. A false positive is when a drug test identifies a substance that is not present. This can happen when the test mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as a harmful component.  

It's rare, but not unheard of, for kava to trigger a false positive. There have been anecdotal reports of kava causing a false positive for benzodiazepines, sedatives used to treat anxiety. This usually happens because of something called cross-reactivity, when a test misreads Kava's compounds as something else, like sedatives. 

As of 2025, there are no peer-reviewed clinical studies that confirm that kava reliably causes false positives. Confirmatory GC-MS or LC-MS/MS tests would definitively rule out any confusion.

Key Differences Between Kavalactones and Controlled Substances

Kavalactones are structurally distinct from controlled substances such as THC (marijuana), alcohol, or benzodiazepines. This means that Kava is not chemically related to these drugs and is unlikely to be confused with them in a typical drug screening.

Supporting Studies

In one study published in the Journal of Clinical Toxicology, it was reported that although false positives are common in some drug tests for herbal supplements, kava is not likely to be one of them. So, if you are a regular kava user and love its unique effects, you can breathe a sigh of relief. To be on the safe side, avoid kava use for a few days before your testing. 

How Long Does Kava Stay in Your System?

Here is a look at the average half-life of kava and the subsequent duration of its effects on a human body. 

Average Half-Life and Duration of Effects

Although kava effects generally last 3 to 6 hours, the substance remains in your system for a longer duration. Several factors, including half-life, contribute to the longevity of Kava in your body:

• The half-life of kavalactones is estimated to be around 9 hours, meaning that it takes approximately 9 hours for your body to reduce the concentration of kava by half.

• The liver breaks down kavalactones. Therefore, people suffering from liver diseases might process kava slower. 

• People with slower metabolisms may also experience slower kava breakdown.

Factors That Affect Metabolism

Several factors affect how long kava remains in your system:

Kava vs. Other Substances: Know the Difference

Kava is different from other intoxicating plant substances. Here are some major ways kava is different from THC and Alcohol, and some medications: 

Kava, THC, Alcohol, and Benzos

• Although kava can make you relaxed, it doesn’t make you intoxicated or produce mind-altering effects like with alcohol.

• No hangovers.

• Far less likely to impair function as THC, alcohol, or benzos may.

• Kava rarely is included in drug screenings, while THC, alcohol, and benzodiazepines are screened.

• Kava is not addictive.

Kava works differently—it relaxes you without the buzz or drowsiness of alcohol or weed. This makes kava ideal for individuals who cannot consume sedating substances due to their work, organization, or participation in sports. Many people frequent kava bars, highlighting the social aspect of kava consumption.

Legal Status and Workplace Restriction

Kava is legal at the federal level in the US and in all 50 US states. It’s typically regulated as a “dietary supplement”. But this legal freedom may be limited for some organizations and workplaces that restrict the consumption of kava. Each organization can have its own set of rules and regulations, particularly involving sensitive job positions.

Therefore, it's proactive to consult with management regarding rules and regulations about herbal supplements such as kava and kratom. 

Tips for Kava Use If You're Drug Tested Regularly

Here are a few tips for avoiding drug testing issues and sticking to responsible kava use:

1. Stick with Pure, Lab-Tested Products: Only consume high-quality kava from trusted, reputable kava vendors. Subpar kava products may contain contaminants that can cause severe side effects. That is why third-party lab testing and strict adherence to protocols should be recommended.

2. Avoid Mixing with Other Substances: Do not combine kava with alcohol or other sedative substances, as this could increase side effects or other health risks and affect the outcome of your drug screening.

3. Be Transparent About Supplement Use: If you know that you will be undergoing drug testing, consider disclosing your use of kava to your employer or testing agency. This will clear up any confusion if a false result pops up.

4. Do not take Kava Before Certain Activities: Consume kava during downtime and social times, not immediately before driving, working, or performing tasks that require your full mental alertness. Mindful use is the best use, erring on the side of safety.

FAQs About Kava and Drug Testing

Does Kava show up for a urine test?

No, kava does not show up on a standard urine test. Kavalactones are not included in standard drug screenings because the tests aren’t designed to detect kava’s active ingredients. Urine tests are designed to detect specific substances like marijuana, alcohol, steroids, and opioids. 

Can kava affect a DOT drug test?

No, kava does not affect the DOT drug test. Kava is not typically screened for in a  DOT drug panel test. 

Should I stop using kava before a drug screening?

Out of an overabundance of caution, you can stop using supplements like kava for a few days prior to your upcoming drug test. You can ask ahead about what the tests may screen for—most organizations are happy to provide this information. 

Are there any laws about kava and workplace drug testing?

Workplaces might have rules and regulations regarding the consumption of herbal supplements such as Kava. Ask management about any guidelines to avoid future repercussions. 

Is kava detectable? 

No, kava is not detectable on the standard panel tests or DOT drug tests. If a drug test is specifically designed for kavalactone screening in the urine. (Kavalactones are primarily metabolized and then excreted through the urine and feces.)

Will kava make you fail a drug test? 

Not unless kava metabolites are mistaken for benzodiazepines. This is rare.   

Final Thoughts: Kava, Clarity, and Confidence

Kava is a low side-effect, attractive option for those who often have to undergo routine mandatory drug testing. Unless you take a very expensive and kava-centered drug screening, kava does not show up on a drug test. But like all herbal supplements, such as ashwagandha and kratom, responsible and mindful use is highly recommended. 

If you're new to the world of kava, welcome! At Real Botanicals, we are committed to offering pure, lab-tested kava formulas with transparency, so you can use Kava with confidence. Check out all Real Botanicals products here! 

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a legal advisor before making any decisions.