Kanna
Also known as: Sceletium tortuosum, Kougoed
Category: Serotonergic empathogen / Mood-altering plant (not a classic psychedelic)
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent plant native to South Africa, traditionally used to elevate mood, ease tension, and support social bonding. It contains alkaloids like mesembrine that act primarily as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and PDE4 inhibitors, modulating mood and cognition. Kanna is psychoactive not sychedelic, meaning it “affects the mind, mood, consciousness, and emotions, and passes your blood-brain barrier. While both have an effect on your brain and its functions, not all psychoactive substances are psychedelic.”
Depending on dose and method (chewed, snuffed, smoked, or taken as tincture), it can be stimulating or sedating, making it a flexible tool for emotional regulation, trauma support, or mood balance. Kanna is increasingly popular in natural nootropic and psychedelic-adjacent wellness circles, and is sometimes microdosed or combined with breathwork and therapy.
History & Culture
Traditionally used by Khoisan peoples of South Africa as a mood elevator, hunger suppressant, and spiritual aid—often chewed (hence the Afrikaans name kougoed, “something to chew”).
Revered in pre-colonial tribal ceremonies for reducing fear before hunts and enhancing communal bonding.
Dried and fermented preparations were passed down across generations as part of oral medicine traditions.
European awareness of kanna began in the 17th century, when traders sailing toward Asia encountered the plant and its uses. By the early 1700s, kanna was exported from Africa and traded in places like Japan, often marketed for its energizing and tonic-like properties.
Though praised by merchants, its deep cultural and spiritual significance among Indigenous Khoisan communities was largely ignored by Western observers until more recent ethnobotanical research brought it back into focus.
Now undergoing a revival in integrative therapy, trauma-informed spaces, and empathogenic practices due to its legal status and gentle psychoactivity.
Effects
Mood-lifting, calm energy, enhanced tactile sensation, grounding, heart-opening, emotional release, mental clarity, cognitive focus. Subtle but effective.
Risks & Side Effects
Generally well tolerated, especially in low doses
At higher doses or when mixed with other substances, may cause: Nausea, headache, drowsiness, mild dizziness or overstimulation in sensitive users.
Possible serotonin overload if combined with SSRIs or other serotonergic medications (risk of serotonin syndrome)
Rare reports of irritability or emotional flatness after extended use—cyclical use preferred over daily intake
Purity of extracts varies widely; only purchase from trusted, lab-tested sources
Fermentation process matters: improperly fermented kanna may contain harsh alkaloids or irritants
Microdosing
Microdosing kanna typically involves taking 10–50 mg of extract daily or every third day, depending on the preparation and individual sensitivity.
Unlike tryptamine-based psychedelics such as psilocybin or LSD, kanna’s effects are more grounding than expansive, making it particularly well-suited for daytime use and functional support.
Reported benefits include emotional balance, reduced irritability, calm focus, and greater openness and somatic awareness.
It has also shown promise in supporting those navigating PTSD, chronic stress, or emotional flatness.
Because kanna is legal in most countries and has a gentle yet perceptible effect, it is often considered a low-risk entry point into plant-based mood enhancement and mental wellness.
As always, dosing should begin conservatively, and users should avoid combining it with serotonergic medications unless under professional supervision.
Duration & Onset
Onset: 15–45 minutes (faster when smoked or snuffed)
Peak: 1–2 hours
Total duration: 3–5 hours (lingering calm may last longer)
Dosage
Microdose (capsule/tincture): 25–50 mg extract (or ~250 mg dried plant)
Common dose (sublingual or tea): 100–250 mg extract
High dose (snuffed or smoked): 300–500 mg extract
Dried, fermented kanna is also chewed in traditional forms, and potency varies widely by preparation.
Interactions
Kanna should not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, MDMA, NDRI's, or Benzodiazepines or Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants without medical supervision by a qualified healthcare professional. At the same time, kanna may gently enhance the effects of practices like breathwork, meditation, or emotionally focused therapy.
If you are currently taking prescription medications or have any pre-existing medical conditions, please speak with your doctor or healthcare professional before using Kanna.
In some integrative circles, it is paired in small doses with calming or heart-opening allies such as CBD, cacao, or non-psychedelic herbs to support emotional regulation and presence. However, if you are currently taking psychiatric medications or managing a mental health condition, it’s important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using kanna.
Therapeutic & Cultural Resonance
Kanna is increasingly recognized as a gentle plant ally for those seeking emotional regulation without the intensity of psychedelics. It’s used by therapists and facilitators for:
Trauma support and nervous system calming
Enhancing empathy and connection in therapeutic or group settings
Supporting withdrawal from stimulants or alcohol, especially when combined with body-based practices
A bridge between everyday mental wellness and intentional plant-based self-inquiry
Its long-standing Indigenous use as a heart-soothing medicine and mood tonic is now being honored through ethical sourcing, community reeducation, and careful therapeutic application.
Integration Tips
Kanna tends to whisper, not shout—so subtle reflection is key. If emotional openings arise, talk therapy or peer reflection can help metabolize insight. Avoid daily use to prevent emotional dulling or tolerance buildup—respect the plant’s cycle.
Listen to
To go deeper into the story of kanna, its traditional roots, and its reemergence in modern wellness, listen to our conversation with Stephanie Wang, founder of Ka! Empathogenics, on our podcast. She shares personal insights on kanna’s emotional intelligence, sustainable sourcing, and its place in a post-psychedelic wellness world.
