What Is Kanna? The Complete Guide to Sceletium Tortuosum

Short answer: Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent plant native to South Africa, traditionally used to support mood, ease stress, and enhance social connection. This plant is now commonly purchased in a variety of supplement forms, including gummies, tablets, powder, tinctures, and other products.

Kanna has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to its unique and desired effects for mood, stress, focus, and socialization. But what is this mystery plant and how does it interact with our minds and bodies? In this article, we’ll break down the science of kanna, its rich history and benefits, and the types of kanna products available to consumers. 

Quick Hits

• Kanna is a plant with centuries of traditional use

• Kanna benefits include mood elevation, social ease, focus, and stress relief

• Kanna is legal in the U.S. and is not a controlled substance

What Is Kanna?

Kanna, known to science as Sceletium tortuosum, is a succulent plant that is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It has been used for centuries to support mood, ease stress, dial in focus, and enhance social connection. Pronounced “KAH-nuh,” this plant goes by several names, including channa and kougoed (a term coined by Dutch colonists, meaning “chewable thing”). As interest in plant-based wellness grows, kanna herb has emerged as a compelling option for those seeking alternatives to synthetic mood-support products.

A Brief History of Kanna

Sharpen your pencils. It’s time for a two-minute history of the kanna plant  …

Traditional Use in South Africa

While the first written account of its use dates to the mid-1600s, Kanna has likely been used for thousands of years by the Khoisan people of South Africa. They used the plant for both traditional medicine and spiritual purposes. The Khoisans consumed kanna in a variety of ways, including chewing fermented kanna, brewing it into teas, and smoking it, often before social gatherings or hunting expeditions. Its purpose for the Khoisans wasn’t recreational in the modern sense. Instead, kanna herb was used to elevate mood, reduce fear and anxiety, and encourage social bonding and cooperation. Early European records from Dutch colonists describe these practices, noting kanna’s relaxation and social benefits.

Modern Rediscovery

The 21st century has seen a resurgence in popularity for Sceletium tortuosum, fueled by a desire for natural mood-support supplements and social lubricants. While modern research has begun to validate some of its traditional uses, kanna is not approved by the FDA for medical use. It is currently categorized in the U.S. as an herbal or dietary supplement.

How Does Kanna Work? The Science Behind Sceletium Tortuosum

The effects of kanna are driven by naturally occurring compounds called alkaloids. In fact, there are over 25 alkaloids in Sceletium tortuosum, most notably mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol. Mesembrine is the primary active alkaloid in kanna, and is known to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). By helping increase the availability of serotonin in the brain, kanna is believed to support a more positive mood, reduced feelings of stress or tension, and greater emotional balance. It also inhibits PDE4 (phosphodiesterase-4), an enzyme linked to mood regulation and cognitive function. 

The combination of mesembrine and other key alkaloids, such as mesembrenone and mesembrenol, gives kanna its unique ability to influence mood without heavy sedation or stimulation.

What Does Kanna Feel Like?

People often describe the effects of kanna as uplifting, but grounded. Rather than feeling altered or intoxicated, users report a noticeable shift in mood and sociability. Common experiences include a sense of calm wellbeing, increased sociability and openness, reduced stress, social tension, and overthinking, as well as improved focus, mental clarity, and presence.

Probably the simplest way to say it is that kanna helps people feel more themselves, just with less friction and more ease in social or stressful situations. It’s actually a beautifully uplifting feeling.

For more info on kanna as a stress supplement, check out our guide to Kanna for Anxiety and Stress.

How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects?

How quickly kanna hits and the duration of the effects depends on the format of the product and the dosage. Our kanna tablets and gummies generally take 15 to 45 minutes to kick in and the effects can last 2 to 4 hours. Here’s how they stack up against other types of kanna products.

*Individual experiences vary depending on metabolism, serving size, product formulation, and whether food has been consumed.

For more information, see our guides to How Long Kanna Lasts and Kanna Tablets vs. Gummies vs. Powder.

Types of Kanna Supplements

At Ferris Wheel, we offer kanna in the form of kanna tablets and kanna gummies. Both of these products offer precise (and consistent) kanna dosing, portability, and convenience. Our Party Kanna Tablets are formulated for late-night energy and socializing. Our Daily Mood Kanna Gummies are microdosed for functional daily use, perfect for mood elevation, social ease, energizing focus, and stress relief.

Other common formats include kanna powder, kanna tinctures, and kanna drinks.

How to Shop for Kanna

Regardless of what form of kanna product you choose, it’s important to understand that quality matters. Look for a brand that uses high-quality ingredients, cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) facilities, and third-party lab testing. These lab tests (called a Certificate of Analysis) should be made readily available for customers. They will tell you exactly how much kanna is in your product, as well as other ingredients. They’ll also alert you to the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants. Never purchase a kanna product without checking its COA.

Is Kanna Legal?

Kanna is legal in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and most other countries. It is not a controlled substance and is not classified as a drug. Instead, kanna is widely available as a supplement.

While regulations can vary globally, kanna has not faced the same scrutiny as other plant-based substances, like kratom. Still, it’s always a good idea to check local regulations before purchasing.

Who Uses Kanna Today?

Kanna’s modern appeal spans a wide range of lifestyles, taking advantage of its benefits for mood, stress, focus, and sociability. Those include:

People seeking natural mood support: Many turn to kanna as a plant-based alternative to support emotional well-being without relying on pharmaceuticals.

People seeking social confidence: Kanna is commonly used before social events to help people feel more relaxed, open, and connected in conversations.

Nightlife and alcohol alternatives: Some people use kanna as a clean, non-alcoholic option for social settings, offering a sense of ease without the downsides of drinking.

People seeking focus and productivity: Particularly suited for microdosing, kanna offers clean energy and focus for people looking to boost their productivity.

As you can see, kanna sits at a unique intersection of history, science, and modern lifestyle. Whether you're looking for natural mood support, stress relief, calm focus, or an enjoyable social lubricant, kanna might just be right for you.

FAQs

1. Does Kanna Actually Work?

Yes. Many users report that you can actually feel a shift in mood and social openness when you take a high-quality kanna product. The shift is subtle with lower dose products and more prominent with products like our high-potency Kanna Tablets. Of course, everyone’s body is different, so experiences may vary.

2. Is Kanna Safe?

Yes. Kanna is generally considered a safe supplement for most people. There are rare side effects that usually come with overconsumption. The most commonly reported kanna side effects include headache, nausea, mildly upset stomach, and changes in appetite. Some medications interact adversely with kanna (particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and other serotonergic medications). Anyone taking these medications should consult their healthcare provider before using kanna. 

3. Can Kanna Get You High?

No. Kanna does not get you high, though it can produce a euphoric mood lift, particularly in higher doses.

4. How Long Does Kanna Last?

The onset time and duration of kanna effects can vary, depending on the type of product used. With our kanna tablets and kanna gummies, the effects usually kick in between 15 and 45 minutes and last for 2 to 4 hours. Again, different body types and product formulations can affect your experience.

5. What's the Best Way to Take Kanna?

We believe that edibles, such as gummies and tablets, are the best way to take kanna. This is because they are consistently dosed, so you always have a good idea of how much you’re taking (as opposed to powders, which have a huge human variable). They’re also convenient, portable, and discreet.

6. Can You Take Kanna Every Day?

Kanna is generally considered safe for daily use. That said, you should cycle your kanna every so often to avoid building up a tolerance. We recommend three weeks on and one week off.

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References

1. Olatunji TL, Siebert F, van der Kooy F. Sceletium tortuosum: A Review on Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacokinetics, Biological and Clinical Activities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;273:113959. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33676036/

2. Harvey AL, Young LC, Viljoen AM, Gericke NP. Pharmacological Actions of the South African Medicinal and Functional Food Plant Sceletium tortuosum and Its Principal Alkaloids. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2011;137(3):1124-1129. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21798324/

3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Herbs at a Glance. National Institutes of Health. Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance

4. U.S. Department of Defense, Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS). Kanna: Uses and Safety in Dietary Supplements. Available at: https://www.opss.org/article/kanna-uses-and-safety-dietary-supplements