Introducing Kanna
If you are familiar with other botanical substances such as Kava Kava and Kratom you may have come across another plant in your journeys as well called Kanna. Similiar to Kratom and Kava Kava this plant has been used by indigenous people for centuries due to some of its mood altering and stress reducing capabilities. In this blog well go over everything you need to know about the plant, and where to get the best Kanna products for you!
What Is Kanna?
As we briefly mentioned above Kanna is a plant with mood altering and stress reducing capabilities that has been used by the indigenous people of South Africa for centuries. The scientific name of this plant is Sceletium Tortuosum or Kauwgoed in the African language which means “something to chew”. Based on this, you can probably guess that originally Kanna was something that you would chew to receive the desired effects. Due to increasing popularity in the west because of its natural anti depressant nature and anxiety relief functions there are now many options available to ingest it. Kanna can now be used in a multitude of way such as chewing it, snorting it, smoking it, vaporizing it, teas and tinctures as well.
So How Does It Work As A Potent Mood Booster And Anti-Depressant?
After much research into the plant itself and the benefits that it produces we have discovered that similar to Kratom, Kanna also has a multitude of alkaloids in the leaves, stems and flower of the plant. The main alkaloids responsible for Kanna’s mood boosting and anti anxiety/depressant functions are mesembrine, mesembrenone, and tortusamine.
he reason these alkaloids are responsible for these benefits are that they act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Essentially making this plant a natural SSRI producing very similar benefits to medicines such as Prozac. Mesembrine being the most potent as it has the ability to keep serotonin in your brain for much longer which plays a huge role in overall mood throughout the day.
Over the years Kanna has gained a lot of attention for its SSRI capabilities and has even been used in western medicine to create a pharmaceutical version called Zembrin.
What Other Benefits Can I Expect?
- Anxiety And Stress Relief
- Reduction In Depression
- Pain Relief
- Cognitive Improvement
- Appetite Suppressing Abilities
Due to the stress relieving properties and relaxation properties one can also assume that it would help with better sleep. Kanna is also known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits which can help your body remove free radicals and stave off diseases caused by inflammation.
What Is The Best Way To Take Kanna?
As mentioned above, there are many different routes of ingestion available in the west now due to its growing popularity. You will receive all of the same benefits any way that you ingest it, but some properties are stronger depending on how you take it.
- Chewing Fermented leaves-
This is the primary way Kanna was traditionally used in South Africa. Although they are known to smoke it as well. When chewing Kanna the effects are a short lived euphoric feeling. This is followed by a relaxation phase.
- Tea-
Kanna is mostly known for the alertness it provides when taking it. It can also produce relaxing effects as well. When drinking Kanna tea you’ll feel a more mild and calming effect versus taking capsules, smoking it etc.
- Smoking Or Vaporizing-
Smoking or vaporizing Kanna will enhance the euphoric feelings that the plant produces.
- Capsules/powder-
Capsules and powder will also produce a more euphoric feeling. Similar to chewing it. It has a longer euphoric phase followed by relaxation.
Is Kanna Legal? Is It Safe To Use?
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is uncontrolled by federal law in the United States. This means all parts of the plant and its extracts are legal to cultivate, buy, possess, and distribute without a license or prescription. If sold as a supplement, sales must conform to U.S. supplement laws. If sold for consumption as a food or drug, the FDA regulates the sales.
In terms of safety, Kanna is considered relatively safe. No side effects are expected up to a dose of 6 mg per kg of body weight per day, or 420 mg in an average adult human; however, some people may experience nausea when they start to use the herb. According to traditional practitioners, most people get used to Kanna after one or two doses
What Are Good Products To Try And Where Can I Purchase Them?
Good news for you, we have Kanna products right here at Great CBD Shop! As always we strive to bring you the best products available. All three of the products we have available are fully transparent with their ingredient profiles. They also have guides on their sites explaining what each ingredient does and why its in their product!
Party Kaps
Party Kaps is a first of its kind party enhancement supplement. These capsules combine caffeine, b vitamins, electrolytes, milk thistle liver support, and of course Kanna to help you be the life of the party! Don’t want to drink, but want to feel the vibes? Pop some Party Kaps!
Party Bars
Party Bars are Party Kaps in disposable form! Enjoyed Party Kaps but looking for a faster acting version with more euphoric benefits? Try out a Party Bar in mint or natural flavor!
Hello Kanna
This is a great brand to choose. Hello Kanna Nootropic capsules combine other natural nootropic botanicals with Kanna in different ways to produce the different effects available with the plant. They have a happy blend, a focus blend, and a calm blend. Their products have you covered for any time of the day or any situation!
The Takeaway
At Great CBD shop we specialize in sourcing the best natural products we can. Based on all the information given in this blog, we believe Kanna to fit that description. We have personally used many of these products and have nothing but good things to say about them. We hope you guys enjoy them as much as we do!
