Compound Profile
Dihydromethysticin
Kavalactone from kava associated with GABAergic activity and monoamine related signaling.
Last reviewed: •1 source citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited
Use extra caution — Kava/kavalactones are linked with sedation and liver injury concerns; avoid alcohol, sedatives, liver disease, and pregnancy. Details
- Evidence
- Limited evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Use extra caution: Use caution
- Best for
- GABAergic Signaling, Voltage Gated Ion Channels, Monoamine Signaling
- Avoid / review if
- Pre Existing Liver Disease Or Elevated Liver Enzymes, Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding Without Clinician Guidance
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Kava/kavalactones are linked with sedation and liver injury concerns; avoid alcohol, sedatives, liver disease, and pregnancy.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
- Liver-SensitiveLiver-related caution language appears in the profile.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Evidence Summary
Profile-wide ·C LimitedEvidence lens
Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.
LimitedLimited evidence
Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Neurotransmitter Modulation · Stress Response Modulation · Neuroprotective Activity
Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic research — Mechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Kava/kavalactones are linked with sedation and liver injury concerns; avoid alcohol, sedatives, liver disease, and pregnancy.
This profile cites 1 human study.
Evidence Strength
Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.
Dihydromethysticin has a limited evidence rating.
AdaptogenStress & Mood
Citation density
0.3
Sources
1
Effects
4
Research recency
Mixed recency
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (1)0 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 1 structured source, including 0 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Methysticin and 7,8-dihydromethysticin are two major kavalactones in kava extract to induce CYP1A1 Li Y et al. · Toxicol Sci · 2011 Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
How Dihydromethysticin Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Dihydromethysticin Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Dosing
- Common form
- capsule or standardized extract
- No standardized dose
- Our source data records the usual product form for this ingredient but no studied dose. Preparations differ widely, so follow the standardization on the product you actually have and speak to a clinician before starting.
Mechanisms & biological pathways
Preclinical mechanism details from scientific profiles; these represent plausible pathways but do not guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.
- Neurotransmitter Modulation
- Stress Response Modulation
- Neuroprotective Activity
- Neuroprotective
Botanical Context
Source botanicals and comparison guides related to Dihydromethysticin.
Compare active botanicals
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options disabled for safety
Direct product recommendations and affiliate links are suppressed for this compound due to its high caution or needs-review safety classification.
Evaluate the safety checks, contraindications, and potential medication interactions above under clinician supervision before use.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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