Kanna: nature's antidepressant

Before there were SSRIs, before pharmaceutical companies patented molecules and named them Prozac and Zoloft, there was a plant growing in the arid regions of South Africa that indigenous people had been using for thousands of years to elevate mood, ease anxiety, and create a sense of connection and wellbeing.

That plant is kanna (Sceletium tortuosum). And it might be one of the most underrated tools we have for supporting mental health in a world that desperately needs it.

This isn't hyperbole. The science backs it up. Kanna works on the same pathways as modern antidepressants, but it comes from the earth, has been used safely for millennia, and doesn't come with the laundry list of side effects that make so many people reluctant to seek help for their mental health.

Let's talk about what kanna actually is, where it comes from, how it works, and why it deserves a place in the conversation about mental wellness.

The history: a plant with deep roots

Kanna has been used by the San and Khoikhoi peoples of South Africa for at least 1,000 years, though some ethnobotanists believe its use goes back much further. It was considered sacred. A plant of connection, ritual, and healing.

Traditionally, kanna was chewed, smoked, or made into a tea. Hunters would use it before long journeys to suppress appetite and increase stamina. It was used in social gatherings to promote openness and bonding. It was given to people experiencing grief, anxiety, or emotional pain to help lift the heaviness.

When Dutch colonizers arrived in South Africa in the 1600s, they documented its use extensively. They called it "kanna" or "channa," and noted its mood-enhancing properties. Some accounts describe it as producing a state of euphoria, laughter, and social ease. Others describe it as deeply calming and introspective.

The plant was traded as a valuable commodity. Indigenous peoples would exchange it for goods, and it became part of the cultural fabric of the region. But as colonization progressed and indigenous knowledge was suppressed, kanna use declined. It nearly disappeared from common use.

In recent decades, there's been a resurgence. Researchers started studying it. Ethnobotanists documented its traditional uses. And now, kanna is experiencing a renaissance as people look for natural alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions for mood and anxiety.

The pharmacology: how kanna works

Kanna contains several active alkaloids, but the most significant is mesembrine. This is the compound responsible for most of kanna's effects on mood and cognition.

Serotonin reuptake inhibition

Mesembrine works primarily as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). If that sounds familiar, it's because that's the same mechanism as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.

Here's how it works: serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, emotional stability, and feelings of wellbeing. After serotonin is released in your brain, it's normally reabsorbed (reuptaken) pretty quickly. SRIs block that reabsorption, allowing serotonin to stay active in your synapses longer. More available serotonin means better mood regulation.

Kanna does this naturally. Studies show that mesembrine inhibits serotonin reuptake with significant potency, comparable to some pharmaceutical antidepressants.

PDE4 inhibition

Kanna also inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4). This is important because PDE4 breaks down cAMP, a molecule involved in learning, memory, and emotional regulation. By inhibiting PDE4, kanna allows cAMP levels to rise, which can improve cognitive function and reduce anxiety.

This dual action (serotonin reuptake inhibition plus PDE4 inhibition) is part of what makes kanna unique. You're getting mood support and cognitive enhancement in the same plant.

Additional mechanisms

Research also suggests kanna may interact with other neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine and GABA, though the mechanisms aren't as well understood. What we do know is that the overall effect is anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), mood-enhancing, and mildly stimulating at lower doses or sedating at higher doses.

The feeling: what kanna actually does

The experience of kanna varies depending on dose, preparation method, and individual biochemistry. But there are some common threads.

At lower doses

You feel a subtle lift. A brightening. Like someone turned up the contrast on your emotional experience. Colors might seem a bit more vivid. Conversations feel easier. There's a gentle euphoria, not overwhelming, just a sense that things are okay.

Your mood stabilizes. If you were feeling low or irritable, that edge softens. If you were anxious, the mental chatter quiets. You're still fully functional, fully yourself, just in a better state.

Many people describe increased sociability. A desire to connect. Openness in conversation. This is why it's traditionally used in social settings.

At moderate doses

The effects become more pronounced. The mood elevation is clear. There's often a mild euphoria, sometimes described as "glowing" or "heart-opening." Anxiety dissolves. You feel present, grounded, at ease.

Some people experience a mild sedation or relaxation at this dose, while others feel gently energized. It's dose-dependent and person-dependent.

Empathy increases. Emotional walls come down. This is where kanna shines for social anxiety or emotional blockages. You can access feelings more easily without being overwhelmed by them.

At higher doses

The sedative properties become more dominant. You might feel deeply relaxed, introspective, even sleepy. This is when kanna is most useful for winding down, releasing tension, or preparing for rest.

The mood-enhancing effects are still present, but they're accompanied by a strong sense of calm and physical relaxation.

The benefits: why people use kanna

People turn to kanna for a variety of reasons, but the most common are mental health related.

Mood support and depression

Kanna's serotonin-modulating effects make it a viable option for mild to moderate depression. Several clinical trials have shown significant improvements in anxiety and depression scores with kanna supplementation. It's not a replacement for medical treatment in severe cases, but for people looking for a natural option or an adjunct to therapy, it's worth exploring.

Anxiety relief

Kanna's anxiolytic properties are well-documented both in traditional use and modern research. It works particularly well for social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and situational stress. The effects are felt relatively quickly (within 30-60 minutes), making it useful for acute anxiety episodes.

Cognitive enhancement

Because of its PDE4-inhibiting action, kanna can improve focus, memory, and mental clarity. Some people use it as a nootropic for this reason. It's not a stimulant in the traditional sense, but it does sharpen cognition while simultaneously reducing the mental noise that often interferes with focus.

Emotional processing

Kanna creates space for emotional work. It softens defenses without removing your capacity for discernment. This makes it useful in therapeutic contexts, journaling, or any situation where you're trying to process difficult emotions.

Social connection

This is where kanna really excels. It reduces social anxiety while increasing empathy and openness. You feel more comfortable in your own skin, more connected to the people around you. Conversations flow more easily. Laughter comes more readily.

How to use kanna

Kanna can be consumed in several ways, each with different onset times and effects.

Tincture

This is one of the most effective methods. A tincture is placed on the tongue where it's absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Effects are felt within 15-30 minutes and last 2-4 hours. This is how we use it in our blends.

Capsules or powder

Swallowing kanna (in capsule form or mixed into food/drink) takes longer to kick in (45-60 minutes) but lasts longer (4-6 hours). This is good for sustained mood support throughout the day.

Chewing

Traditional method. You chew the dried plant material, allowing the alkaloids to absorb through the mucous membranes in your mouth. Effects come on quickly.

Tea

Kanna can be made into a tea, though heat can degrade some of the alkaloids. Still effective, just potentially less potent.

Vaping or smoking

Some people vaporize kanna for very rapid onset (5-10 minutes). Effects are shorter-lived (1-2 hours) but more intense.

Safety and considerations

Kanna has an excellent safety profile. It's been used for centuries without significant adverse events. However, there are a few things to be aware of.

Drug interactions

Because kanna affects serotonin, it should not be combined with MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or SSRIs without medical supervision. The combination can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition.

If you're on antidepressants or other psychiatric medications, talk to your doctor before using kanna.

Tolerance and dependence

Kanna does not appear to create physical dependence. However, some users report developing a tolerance with daily use, requiring higher doses for the same effect. Cycling use (taking breaks) can help maintain effectiveness.

Side effects

Most people tolerate kanna well. Some report mild side effects like headache, nausea, or insomnia, particularly at higher doses. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing can minimize these effects.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There's not enough research on kanna use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It's best to avoid it during these times.

The bigger picture

We're living through a mental health crisis. Anxiety and depression rates are higher than ever. Pharmaceutical interventions work for many people, but they come with side effects that can be hard to tolerate. Weight gain, sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting, difficulty discontinuing. For some, the trade-off isn't worth it.

Kanna offers an alternative ~ not as a replacement for all pharmaceutical interventions, but as a valid option worth exploring. It's effective, it's well-tolerated, and it comes from a lineage of use that spans thousands of years.

The indigenous peoples of South Africa understood something we're only beginning to relearn: plants hold medicine. Not in the sense of curing disease, but in the sense of supporting the body's natural capacity for balance, resilience, and healing.

Kanna doesn't numb you. It doesn't flatten your affect or disconnect you from yourself the way some medications can. It lifts you gently, helps you access your own emotional intelligence, and supports your nervous system in finding equilibrium.

That's not just an alternative to antidepressants. That's a different paradigm entirely ~ one where mental wellness isn't about suppressing symptoms, but about supporting the conditions that allow you to thrive.

Where to find quality kanna

As with any plant medicine, quality matters. Look for products that: • Use Sceletium tortuosum (not other Sceletium species) • Provide standardized extracts with known alkaloid content • Source sustainably from South Africa • Are third-party tested for purity and potency

We use high-quality kanna in our blend Ecstatic (Kanna + Damiana). It's a mood-elevating, heart-opening combination that's become a favorite for people navigating social anxiety, low mood, or just wanting to feel more alive in their daily lives.

Try Ecstatic → 

Kanna has been one of those plants that completely shifted how I show up in the world. More present. More open. More focused. Because Kanna keeps me up at night, I usually use it in the morning as a caffeine alternative because it helps me lock into work, calls, and creativity all while feeling inspired. But I also take Ecstatic before daytime hangs and nights out dancing. I hope it's as helpful to you as it's been for me.

in peace + purpose,

Yas ☾