Kanna: Could This Be the Future of Emotional Balance?

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is an endemic South African plant, meaning it is native to and only found in this region. It has a deep-rooted history in traditional medicine as a masticatory to alleviate thirst, fatigue, and physical discomfort. Today, Kanna’s potential for promoting well-being, treating anxiety, and alleviating depression has drawn global attention.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of Kanna’s historical uses, modern applications, pharmacological actions, and scientific insights, giving non-users a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic properties. As a disclaimer, we do not suggest taking this substance unless given explicit approval by your medical practitioner. We do not make any medical claims nor intend to have this information be used for anything other than educative and entertainment purposes.

1. Historical and Traditional Uses of Kanna

For centuries, Sceletium tortuosum has held a significant place within the cultural practices of South African indigenous communities, particularly the San and Khoikhoi tribes. Known as "kougoed," which loosely translates to "something to chew," Kanna played a key role in their survival and well-being, helping alleviate thirst, fatigue, and stress. Beyond its physiological effects, Kanna held cultural significance as a symbol of resilience and adaptability, strengthening social bonds during communal gatherings and spiritual rituals.

Medicinally, Kanna was traditionally used to relieve pain, alleviate stress, and promote a sense of calm. Indigenous healers applied Kanna as a remedy for toothaches, abdominal pain, and as a treatment for emotional distress, such as anxiety or grief. Its tranquilizing properties made it valuable in addressing physical and emotional challenges.

2. Phytochemical Constituents of Kanna

The pharmacological effects of Kanna are due to its rich alkaloid content, which includes:

• Mesembrine: A serotonin reuptake inhibitor and PDE4 inhibitor responsible for Kanna’s mood-enhancing effects.

• Mesembrenone: Contributes to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

• Tortuosamine: Plays a role in stress relief and cognitive enhancement.

• Mesembranol: Known for its calming effects and its ability to reduce emotional reactivity.

3. Modern Uses and Therapeutic Benefits

In recent years, Sceletium tortuosum has been studied extensively for its therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress. Extracts of Kanna, especially the standardized extract known as Zembrin, have gained popularity for their potential benefits in mental health.

Kanna’s primary mechanism of action is the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, which increases serotonin levels in the brain. Studies have shown that Kanna can improve mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and promote emotional resilience.

In particular, studies on Zembrin—a standardized extract of Kanna—have demonstrated its ability to reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain's threat-processing center, which is often hyperactive in individuals with anxiety disorders. A pharmaco-fMRI study revealed that a single 25 mg dose of Zembrin could significantly reduce amygdala activity in response to fearful stimuli.

By combining serotonin reuptake inhibition with PDE4 inhibition, Zembrin offers a broader therapeutic benefit, providing both mood-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects. This dual action offers advantages over traditional SSRIs, which can lose efficacy over time due to the body’s adaptive upregulation of PDE4. Zembrin mitigates the common side effects associated with PDE4 inhibitors, such as nausea and vomiting, by requiring lower doses.

4. Safety and Potential Risks

Kanna is generally considered safe for use when consumed in moderate doses. However, like all psychoactive substances, there are potential side effects and risks to consider.

Side Effects

• Drowsiness: Higher doses of Kanna can cause sedation, making it unsuitable for situations requiring alertness.

• Nausea: Some users experience mild nausea, particularly when consuming Kanna on an empty stomach or at higher doses.

• Headaches: A minority of users report headaches, which may result from individual sensitivity to the plant’s alkaloids.

Kanna should not be combined with SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, or other medications that affect serotonin levels due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition caused by excess serotonin in the brain.

5. Conclusion

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a South African medicinal plant with a rich history of use for mood enhancement, stress relief, and emotional balance. Thanks to its dual action on serotonin reuptake and PDE4 inhibition, its rich alkaloid content, particularly mesembrine, offers a promising natural alternative for those seeking mental health support without the side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications.

Further research may unlock even more of its benefits, especially in the treatment of clinical conditions like anxiety and depression. As always, we advise proceeding with caution when exploring alternative mental wellness treatment options.

Resources:

• Duman, Ronald S., et al. "The Role of Cyclic AMP and Phosphodiesterase-4 in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Depression." Biological Psychiatry, vol. 49, no. 10, 2001, pp. 579-590.

• Gericke, Nigel, and Adriaan Viljoen. "Sceletium—A Review Update." South African Journal of Botany, vol. 74, no. 2, 2008, pp. 310-316.

• Harvey, Brian H., et al. "Dual Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-4 and Serotonin Reuptake by Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults." Psychopharmacology, vol. 218, no. 3, 2011, pp. 745-758.

• Nell, Harold, et al. "The Safety and Tolerability of Zembrin®, a Standardized Extract of Sceletium tortuosum: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, vol. 74, no. 4, 2013, pp. e337-e344.

• Rock, Amy L., et al. "Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors and Their Effects on Nausea: Targeting Central and Peripheral Mechanisms." Neuropharmacology, vol. 56, no. 2, 2009, pp. 323-330.

• Smith, Melanie, et al. "Pharmacological Actions of Sceletium tortuosum in Neuropsychopharmacology: A Review." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 85, no. 1, 1996, pp. 215-223.