It has been reported that there can be an additive affect when mixing it with depressants. The fact that there is so little research makes myself and the medical industry play it safe by recommending not to mix kava and prescription drugs. But with the number of women taking kava any serious problems with taking kava while using birth control pills should have made it to the medical journals by now. I have not found one that I can personally agree with. I must caution the first-time drinker, however.
Most people experience a mild gag reflex when downing a cup of traditional kava.
This goes away after time and you acquire a taste for it. You could start by sipping it slowly. I like to compare it to coffee. Most people do not like the taste of coffee when they first experience it, but after a few cups they start to like it. Our Raw Kava and our Instant Kava have the traditional flavor in their pure form.