What is Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)?

This article provides educational information about kanna, its traditional background, and current areas of scientific research. It does not constitute medical advice and does not make health claims. Kanna supplements are not approved treatments for any medical condition.

Kanna is a succulent plant native to South Africa. Its scientific name is Sceletium tortuosum. Indigenous San and Khoikhoi communities used kanna for centuries within social and cultural traditions. Today, kanna attracts growing interest in the botanical supplement market. Researchers also study its naturally occurring alkaloids — particularly mesembrine — for their interaction with serotonin pathways and cognitive mechanisms.

This article covers what kanna is, where it comes from, what it contains, how people traditionally used it, and what researchers currently explore.

What Is Kanna?

Kanna belongs to the Aizoaceae plant family. It grows low to the ground and produces fleshy leaves and small yellow or white flowers. The plant thrives in rocky, arid conditions. Specifically, it grows across the Western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa — the Karoo and Namaqualand regions in particular.

The name kanna comes from the Khoikhoi language. People also call it kougoed — roughly translated as ‘something to chew.’ This name refers to one of the traditional preparation methods. Several related Sceletium species exist. However, Sceletium tortuosum is the most studied and most commonly referenced in research literature.

Traditional Use and Ethnobotanical Background

The earliest written records of kanna use date to the late 17th century. Dutch colonists documented it first. Botanists and travellers added further accounts later. These records describe San hunter-gatherers and Khoikhoi pastoralists using kanna in several ways — chewed directly, fermented, brewed as a tea, or inhaled as a powder. People used it in social, ritual, and practical contexts.

Historical accounts describe kanna helping people manage hunger and thirst on long journeys. Moreover, people used it to ease social interactions and in ceremonial settings. These records appear consistently across South African ethnobotanical literature. Consequently, researchers use these traditional associations as starting points for understanding how kanna’s alkaloids interact with biological systems. They do not treat them as clinical evidence of therapeutic benefit.

What Does Kanna Contain? The Key Alkaloids

Kanna’s research interest centres on its naturally occurring alkaloids. These compounds drive its biological activity. Sceletium tortuosum contains four main alkaloids:

• Mesembrine: The primary alkaloid and the most studied. Mesembrine acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) in laboratory models — it inhibits the reabsorption of serotonin into nerve cells, in a manner structurally similar to how SSRI antidepressants work. It also shows phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitory activity, which researchers study in relation to cognition and inflammation.
• Mesembrenone: A secondary alkaloid also showing serotonin reuptake inhibition activity and, like mesembrine, PDE4 inhibitory properties.
• Mesembranol: Present in smaller quantities; less studied than mesembrine and mesembrenone.
• Tortuosamine: A minor alkaloid; less characterised in the current literature.

Kanna’s alkaloid profile varies depending on three main factors: the plant’s geographic origin, the specific chemotype, and the processing method after harvest. This variability matters practically. Two products both labelled ‘kanna extract’ can have completely different alkaloid levels. Researchers therefore use standardised extracts in clinical studies. Consumers should look for independently verified alkaloid content for the same reason.

What Does Current Research Explore?

Kanna research is active. However, the evidence base remains limited in scale. Most published studies are small. The field has not yet produced large randomised controlled trials. Three main research areas currently attract the most attention.

Serotonin Pathways and Mood Research

Mesembrine’s serotonin reuptake inhibiting activity draws the most research attention. Harvey et al. (2011) published a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology that characterised the SRI and PDE4 inhibitory activity of kanna alkaloids. The researchers proposed a rationale for exploring kanna’s effects on mood-related mechanisms. Specifically, they examined how these properties relate to stress and emotional wellbeing. However, the evidence does not establish kanna as a treatment for any mood disorder.

Cognitive Research

PDE4 inhibition is associated with cognition and attention in pharmacological research. Roflumilast — a clinical PDE4 inhibitor — is an approved drug that shows pro-cognitive effects in research. Because kanna alkaloids show PDE4 inhibitory activity, researchers study whether kanna produces measurable cognitive effects. Chiu et al. (2014) conducted a randomised controlled trial using a standardised kanna extract in healthy adults. They found improvements in cognitive flexibility and executive function compared to placebo. However, the trial was small and short-term.

Safety and Tolerability Research

Several studies examine the safety profile of standardised kanna extract. Nell et al. (2013) ran a 26-week safety assessment of a standardised kanna extract in healthy volunteers. They found no clinically significant adverse effects on key health markers. These are short to medium-term findings in healthy populations. Long-term safety data for kanna remains limited.

Modern Kanna Formats and What to Look For

Kanna appears in several supplement formats today. Dried plant material is the most traditional form. Standardised extracts specify and guarantee the alkaloid content — particularly mesembrine. These are the most research-relevant format. Studies use specific standardised preparations rather than raw plant material. Contemporary formats also include capsules, powders, tinctures, and kanna gummies.

When evaluating any kanna product, three things matter most. First, does it use a standardised extract with a specified alkaloid content? Second, does an independent Certificate of Analysis confirm that content? Third, does the supplier provide transparent sourcing information? Without standardisation and testing, alkaloid concentration varies significantly — between products and between batches of the same product.

Conclusion

Kanna is a botanically and scientifically interesting plant. It has a well-documented traditional history and a growing research literature. Its primary alkaloid, mesembrine, interacts with serotonin and PDE4 pathways. These interactions provide a legitimate pharmacological rationale for further study. Small clinical trials have produced promising early findings in mood and cognitive research areas.

However, the evidence base remains early-stage. Kanna is not an approved treatment for any condition. Furthermore, anyone considering kanna alongside existing medications — particularly SSRIs or other serotonergic drugs — should consult their physician first. Mesembrine inhibits serotonin reuptake, which means a drug interaction risk exists.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. We review and reference available studies and reputable sources; however, content may not reflect the most current research or regulations and should not be taken as medical, legal, or professional advice. We do not make or imply health claims. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and statements have not been evaluated by EFSA or the FDA. Effects can vary between individuals. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use and verify that any product or ingredient is lawful in your jurisdiction.