Kanna, also known as Sceletium tortuosum, grows in the wild in Southern Africa and has long been used by locals to treat ailments ranging from headaches to insomnia to even snakebites. In this post we explain what kanna is all about, the benefits, as well how you should choose to supplement.
Modern research now shows that kanna can be useful in treating mood disorders like depression and anxiety. This makes it highly sought after by those looking for the best kanna supplements available on the market today.
What is kanna?
It is also known as Sceletium tortuosum. Kanna is a traditional South African herb that’s been used for many years by tribal people for boosting energy levels. Although it has similar effects to coffee, kanna works differently. It’s an indigenous plant and mostly grown in the Western and Eastern Cape in South Africa.
The traditionally prepared dried Sceletium was often chewed and the saliva swallowed, but it has also been made into gel caps, teas and tinctures. It has also been used as a snuff and smoked.
It doesn’t contain caffeine, but instead contains an alkaloid called mesembrine. This alkaloid stimulates dopamine receptors in your brain, which makes you feel happier and more energetic.
In flower, sceletium tortuosum or kanna as it is more commonly known.
The best part? You don’t get jittery or have any of those uncomfortable side effects associated with other stimulants like caffeine.
Benefits of kanna
Some believe kanna is one of nature’s most beneficial botanicals. Used traditionally in Africa for over 2,000 years, kanna is used as a mood enhancer, an energy booster, a pain reliever, a sleep aid, and even an anti-inflammatory. Today, many studies have begun to confirm these traditional uses of kanna.
Research has even shown that the best kanna supplements can help reduce stress, improve appetite, and even aid in digestion.
The plant is not hallucinogenic, and no severe adverse effects have been documented. Sceletium tortuosum was used in rural areas in very small doses as a treatment for colic in infants, added to a teaspoon of breast milk, and this use still survives in some local communities.
People around the world are now using it as an all-natural supplement for their everyday wellness routine.
How to use it effectively and choose the right supplement?
The best way to use kanna is by taking it as a supplement, although some people use it raw herbal form. Supplements are best as they come packaged in specific dosages which is important when using a mood boosting supplement.
The recommended dosage for most people is two 500 mg capsules, taken once or twice daily. Be sure you talk with your doctor before using any new herbal supplement.
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Firstly all supplements are available in numerous forms. This includes capsules, gummies, tinctures, powders, and liquids, Dietary supplements are typically marketed as an easy and efficient way to boost your physical or mental health.
Do your research!
Always remember that supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so there’s no guarantee of purity or effectiveness. Also, keep in mind that some herbs can interact with medications and other supplements. Make sure to do your research!
What to bear in mind
When you buy a supplement, read the labels carefully and check the validity of the manufacturer. This is especially true of kanna, given its potency.
- Look for the USP or ConsumerLab label. This is very important. Here’s how to do it: to ensure that a dietary supplement is of high quality and not contaminated or adulterated with other materials is to purchase products with labels indicating they have been tested by either the independent, nonprofit US Pharmacopoeial (USP) Convention Dietary Supplement Verification Program or ConsumerLab.com.
- Purchase dietary supplements made in the United States — and from established outlets.
- Research a product before buying it and check reviews, especially the value of reporting use, as well as any bad reactions. You can check out the About Herbs, website which also helps you understand ingredients and what to look out for.
According to WebMD, “When taken by mouth: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sceletium is safe. Some people who have used sceletium report side effects including headache, loss of appetite, and depression.
When inhaled: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sceletium is safe or what the side effects might be. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sceletium is safe to used when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using.”
The best supplements
The best kanna supplements are those that are professionally formulated and offer excellent quality mood-boosting ingredients
What’s more, is that there are no negative side effects associated with taking the best kanna supplements. This makes them an ideal choice for those looking to take their overall health into their own hands, naturally!
Where can I buy it?
Luckily, you can get kanna supplements from a number of different places. The most popular are Amazon, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, and World Nutrition.
It’s important that you do your research before buying any product because not all brands offer high-quality ingredients. For example, some products contain less than 1% Hup-A, which is one of the key active ingredients in kanna supplements. This means that even if you buy kanna pills or capsules online, they might not actually contain enough of them to give you results!
The not so good stuff about kanna
Although kanna can be a highly effective mood booster and energy enhancer, there are some things you should know before you decide to take it. First, don’t expect kanna to work right away. Some people report that they felt mildly euphoric within five minutes after taking it, but others say they waited as long as an hour for effects. In some cases, people had no effects at all!
As with any supplement, it is important to do your research on kanna and consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement routine. It is also essential to note that although many users claim kanna helps them feel more alert and focused, some users reported feeling jittery or nervous when using it. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or if you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor about whether kanna might be safe for you.
Does kanna have any side effects?
Unlike most drugs or supplements, kanna is well-tolerated by most people.
In many cases, kanna users report that it can cause a few side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Keep in mind that these side effects are only temporary; they’ll go away after your body has acclimated to kanna usage. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to discontinue use immediately and consult with your doctor if necessary.
Also, be aware that while kanna is nonaddictive and non-habit-forming, it may have addictive potential when used long-term. As always, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement routine.
Interaction with other substances
According to WebMD, Sceletium might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. “Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking sceletium along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.”
FAQs about kanna
The South African herb called Sceletium tortuosum (also known as kanna) is used for medicinal purposes but has been proven to be helpful in treating mood disorders, including depression. Kanna works by raising dopamine levels, which can lead to a boost in your energy levels and a general sense of well-being.
If you want or need an extra mood boost, naturally, then kanna may be right for you.
The plant also goes by other names such as channa, hanhala, channerock, fangkani, and ganna; however, these are not interchangeable with one another when it comes to supplementing with them. For example, only sceletium tortuosum should be used for its medicinal properties.
Who can benefit from using kanna?
If you’re having a hard time staying energized throughout your day, you may benefit from using kanna supplements. While these natural energy boosters are traditionally used by people living in South Africa, they’ve become increasingly popular as an all-natural way to overcome mood disorders like depression. kanna may even be able to help combat anxiety symptoms.
Can you get addicted to kanna?
One of the most common worries when it comes to kanna is whether it can cause addiction. Fortunately, research has found that people don’t seem to get addicted to the long-term use of kanna, so you don’t have anything to worry about if you take it every day.
There are a few ways to make sure your kanna experience is safe and healthy:
- Make sure you buy a high-quality product from a reputable company;
- Use a dosage that works for your body;
- Do your best to avoid mixing kanna with other substances;
- If you start feeling like taking more than usual, stop immediately.
References
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 133, Issue 1, 7 January 2011, Pages 31-36The effects of Sceletium tortuosum in an in vivo model of psychological stress Author links open overlay panel. C.Smith https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.08.058
PubMed: Electropharmacogram of Sceletium tortuosum extract based on spectral local field power in conscious freely moving rats Wilfried Dimpfel 1 , Affiliations PMID: 26608705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.11.036
National Library of Medicine: A Chewable Cure “Kanna”: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Sceletium tortuosum ,1,* ,2 ,3 and 4 Natalizia Miceli, Academic Editor
WebMd: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1259/sceletium
Who is the guest author?
Rebbeca Smith is a passionate reader and a keen observer. She is an SEO specialist with an experience of 5 years and blog posting is her passion.
