Compound Profile

Dihydromethysticin

Kavalactone from kava associated with GABAergic activity and monoamine related signaling.

Use extra caution Kava/kavalactones are linked with sedation and liver injury concerns; avoid alcohol, sedatives, liver disease, and pregnancy. Details

Last reviewed: 1 source citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited
Dihydromethysticin monograph visual
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At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade C
Safety
Kava/kavalactones are linked with sedation and liver injury concerns; avoid alcohol, sedatives, liver disease, and pregnancy.
Profile context
GABAergic signaling, voltage-gated ion channels, monoamine signaling
Next steps

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Quick stats

Evidence level
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

Botanical Context

Source botanicals and comparison guides related to Dihydromethysticin.

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 Limited

Evidence lens

Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.

LimitedLimited evidence

Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mappedNeurotransmitter Modulation · Stress Response Modulation · Neuroprotective Activity

Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic researchMechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.

Safety boundary: Safety note availableKava/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.

Limited evidence

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.

StudyDesignNDoseDurationPopulationOutcomeResult & magnitudeSource

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

How Dihydromethysticin WorksDihydromethysticin acts on biological target pathways via neurotransmitter (modulation), leading to gabaergic signaling.DihydromethysticinBiological TargetBiological pathwayNeurotransmitterModulationGabaergic SignalingObservable outcomeHPA AxisModulation
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

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Related research paths

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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.

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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