The effects of kava on alerting and speed of access of information from long-term memory

Abstract

The effects of kava, a beverage drunk at social functions in many South Pacific island communities, on alertness (Posner, 1978) and the speed of access of information from long-term memory (Hunt, 1978) was assessed using a variant of Posner’s letter-match task. Kava was found to have no effect on the reaction times or errors of two groups of undergraduates who consumed doses thought usual (Experiment 1) and doses much greater (Experiment 2) than those associated with social functions. © 1987, The Psychonomic Soceity, Inc.. All rights reserved.