- What is Kanna
English name: Kanna, Latin name: Sceletium tortuosum
Kanna is a succulent plant native to South Africa known for its psychoactive properties. It is not hallucinogenic or addictive, and has been traditionally used in South Africa to sharpen the senses before stressful hunting trips. It is also used in spiritual ceremonies, as tea, as gum, and as smoking.
Kanna is also being studied as an aid in pain management, appetite control, and improving cognitive function in the brain.
- Kanna Ingredients and Mechanism of Action
Kanna contains characteristic alkaloids such as mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, and mesembranol.
Mesembrine and mesembrenone are believed to be the major alkaloids; the former has been shown to be a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) in vitro, whereas the latter possesses both SRI and PDE4 inhibitory properties.
It is expected that by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, it will have antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, while by inhibiting PDE4, it will enhance attention and concentration.
The whole kanna plant is said to contain between 0.05 and 2.3% alkaloids by weight.
- What you can expect from Kanna
3.1 Supporting mental health
Kanna helps to deeply relax the body and mind, calm obsessive thoughts and integrate the mind, body and emotions on a holistic level.
3.2 Reduce stress and anxiety
Kanna has a calming effect on brain activity and the autonomic nervous system, bringing more ease and spaciousness to thoughts and communication, allowing you to enjoy life in a balanced and calm state, whether you are alone or in a social setting.
3.3 Elevated mood
Kanna works by increasing serotonin levels, helping to lift anxiety and depression.
3.4 Improved sleep quality
Kanna's relaxing and stress-relieving effects may also help improve sleep in people who suffer from insomnia.
While there are many causes of insomnia, kanna may be helpful for people who struggle to fall asleep due to its relaxing effects on the body and mind and its potential effects on serotonin, which is involved in the sleep cycle.
Its mild analgesic properties may also be helpful for minor pain and anxiety caused by pain.
However, more research is needed on how kanna affects sleep.
3.5 Appetite suppression
Kanna acts as an appetite suppressant.
The indigenous Khoisan people of South Africa have traditionally used kanna while hunting to suppress hunger and thirst for long periods of time and to help them concentrate on the hunt.
- Kanna Safety Studies and Side Effects
There are clinical trials using the kanna extract "Zenbrin."
A randomized, double-blind study was conducted in South Africa in 37 healthy adults who were given a 2:1 kanna standardized extract supplement (Zembrin) at 8 mg or 25 mg per day for three months. After three months, no changes were noted in cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate) or subjectively reported side effects.
No major side effects were reported in the clinical trials mentioned above, but based on our research, it appears that in rare cases gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches may occur.
5. Be careful with concurrent use of medicines
Kanna has a serotonin reuptake inhibitor effect and should not be used in combination with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), which have similar effects, or with MAO inhibitors, which may cause excess serotonin when used together.
Excess serotonin can cause mental symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, irritability, excitement, and darting around, nerve and muscle symptoms such as involuntary twitching of the limbs, trembling, and stiffness, and autonomic symptoms such as sweating, fever, diarrhea, and rapid pulse. In such cases, reduce or stop taking kanna.
- Things to note when using Kanna for the first time
When trying kanna for the first time, some people may experience headaches, nausea, and sometimes vomiting or loose stools. These side effects are normal and are part of a process known as "priming," as your body gets used to the canna.
These symptoms usually go away after a few doses as your body gets used to it, but some people are more sensitive to kanna than others, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
If you experience any of these side effects, reduce your intake and gradually increase as needed, paying attention to how your body feels and staying hydrated.
- How to Choose and Reliable Canna Products
Kanna is available in a variety of products, including powder, capsules, gum, tincture, and tea. Many products come with dosages of 15-50 mg per serving. The important thing to note is the amount of alkaloids contained in kanna.
We recommend that you check the type and content of alkaloids and purchase the product from a reputable dealer.
*The alkaloid content of the canna used in the canna products (KA!) sold in our store is as follows:
Total major alkaloids > 7.4%
Total mesembrine content > 4.9%
Alkaloid Profile:
Mesembrine 77.8%, mesembrenone 15.9%, delta 7 mesembrenone 6.1%
- summary
Although kanna is an herb that has been used traditionally since ancient times, it is important to be aware that when used in combination with SSRIs or MAO inhibitors, it can cause side effects due to excess serotonin, and careless long-term use should be avoided.
If you're feeling a little depressed, want a slight lift in your mood, or want to adjust your emotional balance... At times like these, try the power of plants as an alternative to medicines.
Reference:
https://examine.com/supplements/kanna/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23441963/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190624173822.htm
https://kaempathogenics.com/
