Kanna
"The Happiest Plant on Earth"
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent plant native to South Africa that has been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples to promote an elevated mood and social connection.
Traditionally chewed or brewed into teas, kanna was valued for its "heart-opening effects"— often used in rituals and communal gatherings. Only recently has it gained traction in Western cultures, where it's emerging as a natural mechanism to create an notably elevated state of perception.
*The research below is provided for informational purposes only and does not refer to this specific product.
The Research:
Mood Enhancement and Anxiety Reduction
Study: Terburg, D., et al. (2013). The basolateral amygdala is involved in social anxiety and modulation of social avoidance in humans
Journal: Translational Psychiatry
Key Takeaway: A single 25 mg dose of a standardized kanna extract reduced amygdala reactivity in response to fearful faces.
Why it matters: This suggests kanna may help reduce anxiety and promote emotional resilience in social settings.
Cognitive Flexibility and Executive Function
Study: Goudriaan, A. E., et al. (2015). Effects of a pharmaceutical-grade extract of Sceletium tortuosum on cognitive flexibility and executive function: a randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults
Journal: Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Key Takeaway: Kanna improved performance in cognitive flexibility tasks like set-shifting and error monitoring after just 9 days of supplementation.
Why it matters: Consumers may experience improved focus, mental clarity, and adaptability under stress.
Stress and Mood Under Pressure
Study: Nell, H., et al. (2013). Psychological and neurophysiological effects of Sceletium tortuosum in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial
Key Takeaway: Participants taking standardized extract of Kanna reported lower tension and improved mood under experimental stress.
Why it matters: Reinforces kanna’s potential to support emotional balance and calm under pressure.
Safety and Tolerability
Study: Murbach, T. S., et al. (2014). A toxicological safety assessment of a standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) in rats
Journal: Food and Chemical Toxicology
Key Takeaway: In 14- and 90-day studies, rats were administered a standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum at doses up to 5000 mg/kg body weight per day. No mortality or treatment-related adverse effects were observed, indicating a high safety margin.
Mechanism of Action:
Study: Harvey, A. L., et al. (2011). Pharmacological actions of the South African ethnobotanical Sceletium tortuosum and its principal alkaloids
Key Takeaway: Mesembrine and related alkaloids inhibit serotonin reuptake and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), contributing to antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
Why it matters: Explains the "how" behind the calm, focused feeling consumers describe.
