Kanna is a psychoactive substance that affects your mood, consciousness, and emotions and passes through the blood-brain barrier. It is sometimes referred to as “nature’s MDMA” or a “heart opener.”
It has mood-boosting properties; people report feeling less inhibited, more social, and euphoric. It also activates receptors for GABA, natural opioids, cholecystokinin, and melatonin to reduce stress and promote calmness.
- Reduces stress
Kanna is a natural mood booster that reduces cortisol levels and calms the body and mind. It’s also a mild sedative that can help you sleep better at night, which can further lower stress. It’s also known to help fight depression, though more research is needed in this area.
The psychoactive alkaloids mesembrine and mesembrenol in kanna act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, allowing the brain to increase its own levels of this feel-good neurohormone. It also stimulates the protein vesicular monoamine transporter 2, which helps get neurotransmitters out of cells. In fact, one study found that a daily dose of kanna (in the form of the supplement Zembrin) reduced amygdala-hypothalamus activity linked to fear and increased alpha1 and alpha2 brain frequencies associated with alert serenity.
Cell studies and some small clinical human studies back these benefits. They’re more promising than some previous research based on animal models and suffer from very small sample sizes. Mbg nutrition science scientist Emma Engler, M.S., explains that “preclinical data [prove] kanna may work similarly to prescription antidepressants and anxiolytics by enhancing or promoting serotonin and inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4.”
If you’re looking for an all-natural way to support your mood, try ka! empathogenics. Start with a few days and then adjust your dosage as needed. Everyone’s genetic makeup and physiology is unique, so you might need more or less kanna to feel its effects. Taking the herb regularly can also help you maintain those mood-enhancing effects over time. And remember to avoid caffeine, which is a stimulant that can worsen your stress and anxiety symptoms. Instead, drink some chamomile tea or get some sunshine (vitamin D deficiency has been linked to anxiety and depression). Adding other mood-enhancing plants like Mucuna pruriens, lion’s mane, ginseng, and rhodiola can help too.
- Boosts mood
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a plant that has been used for centuries to help reduce anxiety and stress. It is also thought to have mood-enhancing effects and can promote feelings of euphoria, tranquility, and self-confidence. It is believed to enhance skin and touch sensitivity and promote sexual desire in some people. It is generally considered safe when consumed at low doses and does not cause sedation or addiction. However, it can have more pronounced psychoactive effects when consumed in high doses.
Kanna pills are a great way to boost your mood and can be easily found in the form of teas, chewable leaves, and supplements. The main compound in kanna that is responsible for mood-enhancing properties is mesembrine, which has been shown to stimulate serotonin receptors and increase brain levels of dopamine. This can lead to a feeling of euphoria, relaxation, and increased focus. It is believed that these positive mood changes may be due to the fact that kanna works as an inhibitor of the reuptake of the amino acid serotonin.
While more research is needed, early clinical studies suggest that kanna can improve cognitive flexibility and executive function. One study found that participants enjoyed these benefits when given 25 mg of a kanna extract called Zembrin for six weeks.
When it comes to consuming kanna, the most effective method is via sublingual administration. Hearthstone Collective founder Latreille recommends starting with a very small dose and gradually increasing as you get accustomed to the effects. She uses a Kanna tincture stacked with black pepper, L-theanine, and mint as the anchor of her microdosing protocol to support mental health. Just three drops can be enough to help you shift perspective and feel centered when you need a subtle reset.
- Boosts immunity
Sceletium tortuosum, also known as Kanna, is an herb that has been used for centuries in South Africa to promote a sense of calm and reduce stress. It contains many beneficial minerals and has been shown to boost mood and energy. It’s thought that the calming effects come from its psychoactive alkaloids (mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembranol), which interact with the brain’s serotonin receptors to create mood-boosting effects.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is associated with a range of benefits, from improving sleep to helping regulate our emotions. The mesembrine alkaloids in kanna prevent the reabsorption of serotonin, which means that more is available to the brain. They also stimulate the protein vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which helps to transport neurotransmitters out of cells, so more is available. In one clinical trial, daily kanna supplementation was shown to increase alpha1 and alpha2 brain-wave frequencies. This is associated with alert serenity and better cognitive flexibility, which can help reduce stress levels.
Kanna has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. It may also have anxiolytic effects, but more research is needed in this area to support these claims.
In a study, researchers found that kanna extract significantly reduced fear responses in the amygdala of the brain. This part of the brain processes emotions, including fear and anxiety. This was observed in the animals studied, but more research must be done on humans before it can be recommended for PTSD or other anxiety disorders.
Kanna is a plant that you can find in a variety of forms, including as an extract/tincture, as a brewed tea or herbal remedy, and as a chewable herb called kougoed. To reap the most health benefits from kanna, make sure you’re taking it from a trusted company that is transparent about its sourcing and manufacturing practices.
- Fights inflammation
Kanna has powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It’s also neuroprotective and non-habit forming. It has a long history of use by indigenous people in southern Africa for medicinal, societal, and spiritual purposes. It can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress as well as help treat clinical depression. It also appears to support healthy sleep habits.
One study found that kanna extract, which has the chemical compounds mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol, enhances cognitive function. However, this research is still in its early stages and needs to be replicated. Other studies have shown that kanna can help boost mood and promote relaxation.
The psychoactive alkaloids in kanna may be responsible for its mood-boosting effects. Mesembrine acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which means it prevents brain cells from absorbing and hiding away the neurotransmitter serotonin, allowing it to stay active in the brain longer and positively impact mood. It also stimulates the protein vesicular monoamine transporter 2, or VMAT2, which helps transport neurotransmitters out of neurons. This can help explain why many people experience the mind-expanding effect that kanna has, although this has not been scientifically confirmed.
Kanna also contains some beneficial minerals like phosphorus and magnesium, which are important for bone health. These nutrients help the body absorb calcium, which is vital for healthy bones and teeth.
The benefits of kanna seem promising, but it’s important to do your own research before deciding whether this plant is right for you. It’s best to start with a small dose and take it consistently for a month to see how you feel. It’s also worth mentioning that the way kanna works with your body will be unique to you.
- Helps with pain
Sceletium tortuosum, commonly known as kanna, has been used for medicinal, societal, and spiritual purposes by indigenous people in South Africa for centuries. It’s a plant that can be chewed, brewed into tea, or smoked for traditional and ceremonial uses. It’s also available in capsule form and has been shown to reduce anxiety, boost mood, improve sleep, reduce stress, and more!
It’s believed that kanna may help relieve anxiety by acting as a serotonin inhibitor, blocking the reabsorption of brain chemicals like serotonin. It also calms the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotional processing. It is said that this helps alleviate the fear and tension associated with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). In cell studies, kanna appears to block the protein phosphodiesterase 4, which is responsible for lowering the levels of serotonin in the body, thereby increasing its availability.
Unlike some other psychoactive plants, such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, kanna doesn’t produce hallucinogenic effects. While it’s an empathogenic and nootropic plant, researchers believe it can recalibrate the brain by stimulating multiple neuroreceptors to displace or block chemicals. It’s similar to how drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Cymbalta work in humans.
While more research is needed, a small number of clinical trials have also found that kanna may reduce symptoms of depression in people with low levels of serotonin. It may also be helpful in improving cognition, including the ability to learn and remember things.
It is important to note that most of the research on kanna was done by one researcher who has a long history of studying traditional African medicine. He is the Director of the company that sells kanna under the brand name Zembrin, which means he has a clear financial incentive to promote it.
