Is Kanna Legal? Things To Know About Kanna

Kanna, also known as Sceletium tortuosum, is a herb with a long history in the traditional rituals of South African people. It has gained popularity for its effects in reducing stress, improving sleep, and enhancing focus. However, many wonder if Kanna is legal worldwide.

This article will delve into key information about Kanna, including its legal status, benefits, and characteristics. Before exploring further, please read the disclaimer located at the end of this webpage.

What Is Kanna?

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a species of herbal plant in the Aizoaceae family, native to South Africa [1]. For thousands of years, the San and Khoi people of this land have used Kanna as a means of relieving stress, enhancing mental energy, and improving mental health.

The main active ingredient in Kanna is mesembrine - an active ingredient that has positive effects on the nervous system and helps stabilize the mind, causing mild excitement [2]. In fact, mesembrine is commonly found in Zembrin - a compound extracted from Kanna. In other words, Zembrin has the ability to affect the nervous system and stabilize the mind, causing mild excitement.

Is Kanna Legal?

The legality of Kanna varies by country. In South Africa, the United States, Iceland, and some other countries, Kanna is legally available. In the United States, Kanna is not on the list of controlled substances and is often sold as a dietary supplement.

However, Kanna is banned or restricted in most European countries and the United Kingdom, where imports and use are tightly regulated. To understand the legal status in your country, refer to the publicly available list of controlled substances.

What Does Kanna Feel Like?

Users on platforms like Reddit describe Kanna as providing relaxation, stress relief, and a sense of happiness without addiction or a "high." Mesembrine, Kanna's main active ingredient, acts on serotonin receptors in the brain, offering a calm effect similar to antidepressants but with fewer side effects. Users may experience mild relaxation, reduced stress, and increased focus.

In Iceland and some other countries, Kanna is enjoyed alongside coffee or even as a coffee alternative.

Is Kanna Different From Kava Kava, Cannabis And MDMA?

First of all, it must be emphasized that Kanna is completely different from the substances mentioned above. However, to clarify the differences of Kanna, let's take a look at the characteristics of each of these products!

Kava Kava

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a herb from the Pacific islands. Kava can help relax and reduce stress thanks to the active ingredients of kavalactones, which directly affect the nervous system [3]. Unlike Kanna, Kava Kava can cause a mild feeling of intoxication when used in high doses and can even cause drowsiness.

Cannabis

Cannabis, or marijuana, is a controversial herb because of its powerful effects on the nervous system and mind. The main compounds in cannabis are THC and CBD. While CBD helps relax, THC is a strong stimulant and is often strictly controlled [4]. Compared to Kanna, Cannabis has stronger effects and has a high risk of addiction.

MDMA

MDMA, also known as Ecstasy - is a synthetic chemical that has a moderate effect on the nervous system. MDMA causes people to feel a strong sense of excitement, happiness, and euphoria, but at the same time, it has many potentially dangerous risks to the nervous system, such as psychosis and brain tissue damage [5]. Therefore, compared to MDMA, Kanna is much safer and, at the same time, non-addictive.

Expert Talks About Kanna

Many herbal and medicinal experts agree that Kanna has great potential in supporting mental health. In his personal blog, Dr. Andrew Weil, a natural medicine expert, highlighted Kanna as an effective natural solution for those who want to reduce stress without taking antidepressants.

In the podcast “PT481 – Kanna: The History, Science, and Potential of an Emerging Legal Alternative”, Ryan Latreille: Founder of Hearthstone Collective, shares: ““A lot of people are really liking this as an alternative to alcohol; something that’s healthier when you are in a social, festive environment,...”

In addition, experts in the study also pointed to the results of academic research on the effectiveness and safety of Kanna, which are outlined below.

Kanna Safety And Benefits

Kanna is essentially non-addictive and relatively safe, providing several key effects in improving mental health:

• Kanna is to improve psychological conditions in a comprehensive way: According to the general report on Kanna, the author points out that Kanna has the ability to reduce stress, psychological and mental disorders, improve mental health, and promote relaxation and happiness [6].
• Kanna helps reduce cortisol levels and improve sleep: Kanna has been shown to have anti-stress effects in animal studies, which may help reduce stress and cortisol levels [7].
• In addition, kanna is believed to have the potential to support weight loss, but research on this is still unclear, and more publications are needed to confirm this.

However, misuse may lead to side effects like nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Always follow manufacturer dosage recommendations to avoid adverse effects.

Notes On Using Kanna For Cognitive Health

From what has been pointed out above, kanna is not only effective in reducing stress but also greatly aids in improving cognitive health. It can be seen that kanna not only helps increase concentration and improve short-term memory but also enhances alertness. Therefore, to improve neurological function, you can start using supplements or other extracts of Kanna, usually Zembrin, to improve mental health.

However, to avoid side effects or dependence on kanna, users should start under the supervision and recommendation of experts in the field of specialized neurological health for safety recommendations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kanna is a promising herb for those seeking to reduce stress and improve mental health without significant side effects. While its legality varies by country, it remains a safer alternative to many other stimulants. Follow recommended dosages to ensure safety and maximize the benefits of this unique herb.