Kanna - Effects and information about the plant

Kanna, botanically known as Sceletium tortuosum, comes from South Africa and has been used there for centuries to support mood, calmness, and inner balance. In recent years, Kanna has also become more popular here. Especially among people looking for a natural way to reduce stress or boost their mood, without having to use psychoactive substances or get high.

What effects is Kanna known for?

Unlike cannabis or classic psychedelics, the plant doesn’t cause any high or hallucinations. Instead, its effects are based on a gentle but noticeable influence on the serotonin system.

Kanna acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which means your body breaks down serotonin more slowly and keeps it available longer. Many users describe feeling more at peace inside, in a better mood, and having a relaxed but alert clarity.

It’s also often said that social situations feel easier, conversations are more pleasant, and you generally come across as more balanced.

Many people notice a quick, noticeable effect—usually within 15 to 45 minutes.

Typically, users feel:

• in a better mood
• calmer inside
• relaxed but mentally clear
• more open in social situations

How do you dose Kanna correctly?

Since the dosage varies a lot depending on the product form, there’s one basic rule that always applies:

Start low - go slow.

Extracts are much more potent than powders—so you should start with small amounts and see how your body reacts.

For beginners, even a very low dose is often enough to feel the effects.

Are there any side effects?

The pure plant product is generally considered well tolerated. Occasionally, though, taking Kanna can cause mild nausea, a tingling feeling in your head, or temporary restlessness. This usually happens if the dose was too high.

Kanna isn’t suitable for pregnant people or for anyone with known heart or blood pressure problems.

Important: Kanna should not be taken together with antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAO inhibitors. Combining them can raise serotonin levels too much.

What forms of Kanna are there?

You can find Kanna on the market in different forms. The most common are powders, either fermented or unfermented, with the fermented Kanna considered tastier and a bit stronger. There are also extracts in various concentrations, which can be much more potent and should be dosed more carefully. Capsules and sublingual options are a super convenient way to take Kanna in a controlled way. In the shop, you'll also find Kanna Pens and Kanna hash. 

For all types: The more concentrated the product, the more carefully you should dose it. If you're new to this, it's best to start really low and wait to see how it feels. The most popular forms are:

• Powder – classic and versatile
• Extracts like 10:1, 20:1, or even 50:1 – much more potent and perfect for fast effects
• Capsules – convenient and precise
• Sublingual – under the tongue, especially effective

How can you tell if Kanna is high quality?

One key quality factor is fermentation. Fermented Kanna is considered stronger, smoother in taste, and overall more pleasant in its effects.

Another factor is, of course, transparent lab analysis and info about the alkaloid profile. What's especially important is the content of mesembrine and related alkaloids, since these mainly determine the intensity and character of the effects.

Gentle processing of the plant is also crucial, since the natural ingredients are sensitive.

Kanna compared to Blue Lotus

Both are plant-based products that are legal. Kanna gives you a clear, alert, relaxing effect, while Blauer Lotus feels softer, dreamier, and a bit euphoric. Both plants have gentle effects and are traditionally used for more calm and well-being, but they differ a lot in the character of their effects.

They meet different needs: Kanna is great for clear, everyday relaxation, while Blauer Lotus is mainly used for quiet moments, meditation, or in the evening.

Comparison: Kanna vs. Blauer Lotus

Aspect	Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)	Blauer Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)
Origin	South Africa	Egypt / East Africa
Effect profile	clear, focused, mood-lifting	gentle, calming, mildly euphoric
Main mechanism	serotonin reuptake inhibition	mild effect on dopamine & GABA system
Typical effects	inner calm, social openness, more clarity	deep relaxation, sense of well-being, dreamy state
Onset of effects	15–45 minutes	20–40 minutes
Forms	powder, Vape, hash, extracts, capsules, sublingual	tea, resin, Flowers, extracts
Side effects	rare: nausea, tingling in the head, restlessness	rare: drowsiness, lightheadedness
Legality (DE/EU)	legal	legal

 

Who is Kanna suitable for?

Lots of people use Kanna as gentle support in everyday life, like during stressful times. Some use it for general mood stabilization or before social situations when you want to feel more relaxed. Since Kanna isn’t sedating, your mind stays clear and the effect is easy to fit into daily life. At the same time, the substance is currently legal in Germany and the EU, since it’s neither psychoactive nor intoxicating.

Is Kanna recommended?

All in all, Kanna is an interesting, natural plant product for anyone looking for something that you can really feel, but that isn’t overwhelming. It offers a nice balance of relaxation and clarity and fits well into a mindful, low-stress lifestyle. If the quality is right and you choose your dose carefully, Kanna can be a valuable addition to your daily routine.