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Writer's picturePaulina Alanis

Kanna: A Natural Supplement for Emotional Balance and Cognitive Enhancement

Kanna is the colloquial name for Sceletium tortuosum, an indigenous medicinal succulent plant from South Africa. It's also known as kougoed and channa, which translates to "something to chew" or "is chewable."

Historically, kanna has been an integral part of the traditional practices of South Africa's indigenous people, the Khoisan. The Khoisan inhabited various regions of what is now South Africa long before other African populations considered native to the area today.

It was traditionally consumed by taking a small amount of fermented plant matter and placing it under the tongue or chewing it before swallowing. In modern times, kanna extracts, teas, and supplements have been developed to facilitate easier ingestion.


In recent years, the Western world, including mental health professionals, has shown a growing interest in kanna due to its reported calming and mind-clearing properties, which can be highly beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety and depression.

When consumed, it naturally enhances serotonin reuptake and reinforces attention and memory mechanisms within the brain. As a result, it effectively reduces stress, improves mood, and supports cognitive function.


In the pursuit of emotional balance and cognitive enhancement, nature continues to provide remarkable solutions. One such solution is kanna, a plant known for its potential to revolutionize our well-being. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for regulating mood, behavior, and various essential functions of the nervous system, plays a key role in this transformation.


According to the insights from research studies, kanna has shown promising potential in restoring emotional balance. By acting on serotonin levels, it can positively impact our neurocircuitry, leading to significant improvements in mood and behavior. Clinical trials have reinforced these findings, providing strong evidence that kanna promotes stress resilience and influences the brain's emotional response.


But how does kanna achieve these effects? Through advanced MRI brain imaging in clinical research, the unique and adaptogenic Sceletium tortuosum plant, from which kanna is derived, has been thoroughly studied. These studies have revealed that it acts as a buffer against stress by modulating our neurocircuitry.

A key component of kanna's mechanism is the presence of mesembrine alkaloids. These alkaloids not only support serotonin reuptake inhibition, leading to increased serotonin levels, but they also pave the way for relaxation and calmness. By promoting a healthy balance of serotonin, it aids in regulating our emotional states and promoting a sense of well-being.


Furthermore, kanna has been found to support executive functioning, which encompasses a range of vital cognitive functions. From attention and problem-solving to memory, abstract thinking, self-control, and even moral reasoning and decision-making, these higher-level cognitive processes involve the prefrontal cortex area of our brain. By supporting executive functioning, it enhances our cognitive abilities and helps us navigate the challenges of daily life more effectively.


With its natural composition and demonstrated efficacy, kanna offers a promising alternative for those seeking emotional balance and cognitive enhancement. By harnessing the power of serotonin and its positive impact on neurocircuitry, kanna provides a natural solution for managing stress, improving mood, and promoting overall well-being.


As our understanding of kanna deepens through ongoing research, this remarkable plant holds the potential to revolutionize the way we approach emotional health and cognitive function. By embracing nature's gifts, such as supplements like kanna, we can unlock new possibilities for a happier, more balanced life.

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