Kava-Related Poison Center Calls Surge

Kava and kratom combo exposures also on the rise, new UVA Health study finds.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:04am

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An abstract, ghostly X-ray image revealing the intricate internal structure of a kava root, conceptually illustrating the hidden dangers of this increasingly popular herbal supplement.As kava-related poison center calls surge, new research sheds light on the hidden health risks of this unregulated herbal supplement.University of Virginia Today

Calls to poison centers about kava – a drug found in drinks marketed as a healthy alternative to alcoholic beverages – rose 383% between 2011 and 2025, according to a new UVA Health study. Poison centers received 203 kava-related calls in 2025, up from 57 in 2011, with men ages 20 and older accounting for the largest number of calls. Calls involving the combined use of kava and kratom have also increased substantially in recent years, now accounting for 30% of all kava-related calls.

Why it matters

The surge in kava-related calls to poison centers raises concerns about the potential health risks of these unregulated products, especially when combined with other substances like kratom. The findings highlight the need for greater public awareness and oversight of these emerging drug trends.

The details

The UVA Health researchers found that the steady increase in kava-related calls since 2011 followed a decade-long decline from 2001 to 2011 that occurred after the FDA's kava advisory in 2002. Kava-related calls to poison centers dropped from 331 in 2001 to 42 in 2010 before beginning to increase again in 2011. As the number of kava-related calls increased in recent years, so too did the percentage of exposures that led to severe health outcomes such as adverse neurological and cardiovascular effects. In 2025, 32% of exposures involved severe health outcomes, topped only by 39% of exposures in 2024.

  • Kava-related calls to poison centers dropped from 331 in 2001 to 42 in 2010.
  • Kava-related calls began increasing again in 2011.
  • Poison centers received 203 kava-related calls in 2025, up from 57 in 2011.

The players

UVA Health

A health system that includes the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the new Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology.

Chris Holstege, MD

Director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center at UVA Health.

Rita Farah, PhD, MPH

Lead researcher on the UVA Health study.

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What they’re saying

“The number of kava-related calls to poison centers decreased after the 2002 Food and Drug Administration public warning associating liver failure with kava ingestion. We are now experiencing an increase in calls again as new kava products enter the market, including products mixed with other substances such as kratom that can cause adverse interactions.”

— Chris Holstege, MD, Director, Blue Ridge Poison Center

“These new kava products are found in stores throughout our area. The public needs to be aware of potential complications associated with the consumption of these products.”

— Chris Holstege, MD, Director, Blue Ridge Poison Center

What’s next

UVA Health researchers hope their findings will help increase public awareness of the potential health risks of consuming products with kava.

The takeaway

The surge in kava-related poison center calls, especially when combined with kratom, underscores the need for greater oversight and consumer education around these unregulated herbal supplements that can pose serious health risks.