Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent originating from South Africa, traditionally used to support a calm and uplifted mood. Over the last decade, it has been cultivated and sustainably harvested to produce extracts for modern products.
History and Traditional Use
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum, previously classified as Mesembryanthemum tortuosum) is a succulent, native to South Africa with centuries of traditional use among the hunter-gather peoples. The kanna plant grows close to the ground and blooms white to pink flowers with leaves that contain water-storage cells typical of most succulents, known as bladder cell idioblasts [1].
Historically prepared and shared during long hunts and gatherings of the native peoples, the plant held a place in both daily life and cultural traditions. Having been likely used since pre-historic times, the first mentions in written history were during the 1600’s, where Dutch colonials traded with indigenous tribes in Southern Africa, exchanging sheep for a plant called “kanna.” Shortly after, Europeans began describing kanna as a ginseng-like herb. The genus Sceletium was established by the German botanist N. E. Brown in 1925, who named it in reference to the plant’s prominent leaf veins and the skeletonized appearance of leaves during arid summers [1].
Traditionally, native peoples often fermented kanna to produce what they called “Kougoed,” meaning “something to be chewed” [1]. This plant was used to support mood during long hunts and migrations [2]. Modern research, including a 2001 patent, have determined that kanna is rich with an alkaloid known as mesembrine. This primary alkaloid and others found in kanna have gained attention globally over the last two decades for their reported support of mood elevation and stress reduction [3]. As modern stressors intensify in the age of the internet and social media, more individuals are turning toward natural alternatives to help relieve stress and enhance holistic well-being.
What Does Kanna Feel Like?
Traditionally, kanna has been appreciated for its ability to encourage openness, emotional balance, and a sense of connection — often described as a subtle “opening of the heart” that invites calm reflection and a renewed appreciation for the moment. Many users describe kanna as feeling like a breath of fresh air or a quiet sigh of relief. It is often associated with a gentle uplift in mood and a sense of ease and well-being. Many individuals also report feeling more present, reflective, and connected with themselves and the people around them.
Kanna is generally reported by users as a subtle herb experience and not mind altering, but rather mood elevating and relaxing. While the precise experience of kanna felt by users is dependent on the alkaloid profile and potency, most users report onset of felt effects within a few minutes from kanna beverages.
A two stage experience is often reported, with the first portion of uplift lasting about 30 minutes, followed by a sense of calm lasting about two hours. This botanical really exemplifies the idea of curating your own experience, where moderation of kanna has been suggested as key to remain in the uplift zone. Large amounts of kanna can result in skipping the uplift phase, and trending directly to calming- which may be what a consumer seeks. Kanna explorers seeking maximum energy, often pair with caffeine to greatly potentiate stimulating effects. Many wellness-minded individuals are now recognizing kanna beverages as a approachable and healthy alcohol alternative in social settings.
What are Kanna Extracts?
Kanna, when prepared as fermented kougoed, was found to have higher levels of the desirable alkaloids than unprocessed plant matter [1]. Thus, in modern times, extraction methods have been developed to standardize precise levels of alkaloids in powder forms of the kanna plant.
With consistent, 3rd party tested levels of alkaloids, desired benefits of the extract profiles are reported to support a balanced mood, energy, focus, calm, or relaxation. Various blends of extract kanna powders and tinctures are now available on the internet; however, consumers are cautioned to ensure such products are tested for contaminants and encouraged to utilize standardized alkaloid extracts for consistent results.
Within the science and wellness industries, mesembrine-type alkaloids are of primary interest for study and extraction, which include mesembrenone, mesembrine, mesembranol, and mesembrenol. These mesembrine type alkaloids are gaining interest in the recent decade since having shown inhibitory effects on serotonin reuptake and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) activity which are linked to mood and general well-being [2].
The kanna extracts used in soulfire are produced using current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in an FDA registered facility, with kanna sustainably harvested from suppliers in South Africa to create a modern and safe kanna drink. The blend of extracts in Soulfire is a novel, yet consistent combination that when paired with additional synergistic ingredients, support both a balanced mood and stress reduction.
Is Kanna Safe?
Within the wellness industry, kanna is gaining popularity as a safe herbal supplement. “The safety of M. tortuosum has been evaluated in several human clinical studies, and in animals. There are no reports to date of severe adverse reactions or herb-drug interactions and no in vivo or in vitro studies implicating M. tortuosum in drug interactions. However, the mode of action of many antidepressants is complex and as a general principle, should not be used concurrently with Sceletium” [4]. Thus any consumer of kanna is advised to consult with their health care professional if taking any medication or managing any health condition.
A range of mesembrine-type alkaloids may be present in traditionally prepared Sceletium plant material, and in commercially available kanna products. Research has shown that these naturally occurring compounds can act within biochemical pathways involved in mood and stress responses, including those mechanisms used by selective serotonin reuptake and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) activity, thus, before mixing kanna with any medication, a kanna consumer is advised to consult with their health care professional [4].
For this botanical, the use of standardized kanna extracts with quantified total alkaloid content and defined alkaloid profiles, with quality control testing, is essential to ensure safety, efficacy, and reproducibility [4]. Soulfire utilizes kanna sourced from a reputable supplier with Certificates of Analysis for every lot.
Is Kanna Addictive?
Kanna has traditionally been consumed as a masticatory (a plant that is chewed) and historical reports suggest it was used without evidence of physical or psychological dependence [6]. Modern painkillers, particularly opioids, can carry significant risks including addiction, toxicity, and reduced effectiveness over time due to tolerance. Because of these concerns, interest has grown in traditional medicinal plants such as kanna [1]. Traditional healers in regions such as Namaqualand have reportedly used kanna to help address alcohol misuse [4], and some exploratory studies have investigated the plant’s potential role in addiction treatment, including alcohol and opiate dependence [2].
In modern culture, kanna products on the rise include beverages, raw extract powders, gummies, and mints. In social settings, a kanna drink is becoming the clear alcohol alternative by offering consumers a healthy functional beverage to sip on. Upon continued use, some kanna users report a “priming” phenomenon in which the effects of Sceletium tortuosum appear to increase with repeated exposure; thereby needing less to achieve desired effects; however, controlled studies confirming a reverse-tolerance mechanism are currently lacking.
Is Kanna Legal?
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is not scheduled under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. The compounds in kanna are not part of typical 5-panel or 10-panel drug tests. Since kanna isn’t scheduled federally, it’s unlikely for employers to add its alkaloids in the future to tests.
Where to Buy Kanna
We recommend purchasing kanna right here through Soulfire, a premium kanna beverage crafted under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in an FDA-registered facility. Soulfire is formulated with synergistic ingredients including standardized kanna extracts that are third-party lab-tested, ensuring both safety and a consistent experience that goes beyond kanna alone.
Unlike extracts, powders, or gummies, kanna beverages are easy to share and socially approachable, making them ideal for group settings. They also provide the added benefit of natural hydration and a refreshing drink you can sip and enjoy.
If you prefer to explore other kanna products, we strongly recommend carefully vetting your sources. Look for brands that prioritize third-party testing, transparent ingredient origin sourcing, and production in GMP-certified facilities to help ensure quality, consistency, and safety.
Peer Reviewed References
1. Manganyi, M. C., Bezuidenhout, C. C., Regnier, T., & Ateba, C. N. (2021). A chewable cure “kanna”: Biological and pharmaceutical properties of Sceletium tortuosum. Molecules, 26(9), 2557.
2. Muszyńska, B., Łojewski, M., Rojowski, J., Opoka, W., & Sułkowska-Ziaja, K. (2015). Natural products of relevance in the prevention and supportive treatment of depression. Psychiatria Polska, 49(3), 435–453.
3. Gericke, N.P.; Van Wyk, B.E. Pharmaceutical Compositions Containing Mesembrine and Related Compounds. U.S. Patent 6,288,104, 11 September 2001.
4. Brendler, T., Brinckmann, J. A., Feiter, U., Gericke, N., Lang, L., Pozharitskaya, O. N., Shikov, A. N., Smith, M., & van Wyk, B.-E. (2021). Sceletium for managing anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment: A traditional herbal medicine in modern-day regulatory systems. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 268, 113628.
5. James Faber, R., Petrus Laubscher, C., & Olaide Jimoh, M. (2022). The Importance of Sceletium tortuosum(L.) N.E. Brown and Its Viability as a Traditional African Medicinal Plant. In Natural Drugs from Plants. IntechOpen.
6. van Wyk, B.-E., Wink, M., 2015. Phytomedicines, Herbal Drugs, and Plant Poisons, 1st ed. Briza Publications, Pretoria.