Kanna is a succulent native to South Africa’s Karoo Desert and parts of Namibia, where it still grows wild. Many researchers argue Kanna should have a protected designation (like Champagne), as its unique properties are tied to the Karoo’s environment.

Nearly harvested to extinction by Dutch explorers in the 1600s; the San and Khoi peoples protected and revived it. To this day, these communities continue to safeguard and share the ancient wisdom of Kanna’s superpowers. Traditionally, the San and Khoi peoples have used Kanna for millennia in nearly every aspect of life:

Kanna is a succulent native to South Africa’s Karoo Desert and parts of Namibia, where it still grows wild. Many researchers argue Kanna should have a protected designation (like Champagne), as its unique properties are tied to the Karoo’s environment.

Nearly harvested to extinction by Dutch explorers in the 1600s; the San and Khoi peoples protected and revived it. To this day, these communities continue to safeguard and share the ancient wisdom of Kanna’s superpowers. Traditionally, the San and Khoi peoples have used Kanna for millennia in nearly every aspect of life:

• To calm warriors before battle and suppress hunger and thirst
• Given to babies during teething and to women in labor for pain relief
• Used in trance dances and ceremonies for altered states and healing

In recent years, it’s also being cultivated more widely thanks to its wide range of therapeutic qualities and is gaining recognition as a powerful medicine in its own right.

Kanna is psychoactive, but not psychedelic (coffee also falls into the psychoactive category). That means it can shift your mood and mental state, but it won’t cause hallucinations or take you on a cosmic journey.

So what does it do? Kanna is known to be:

• An empathogen (enhances empathy and connection)
• A euphoriant (brings feelings of joy)
• An anxiolytic (relieves stress and tension)
• An adaptogen (balances the nervous system)
• A nootropic (supports brain health and cognition)
• An aphrodisiac (studies show it helps men who struggle with erectile dysfunction)
• A hypnotic (supports natural, restful sleep)
• Ergogenic (boosts stamina and physical performance)

On top of that, it offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and immune-supporting benefits. It is not surprising that it’s been used in ceremonial and therapeutic contexts for centuries.

Kanna is legal, safe and non-intoxicating in most parts of the world, including the U.S. (with the exception of Louisiana, which has banned it along with other gentle, consciousness-expanding plants like blue lotus and damiana).

Kanna acts as a natural SSRI due to its ability to bind to serotonin receptors and inhibit PDE4. This dual action helps increase the availability of serotonin in the brain while also reducing the breakdown of signaling molecules involved in mood regulation. The result is a gentle but noticeable effect: reduced anxiety and stress, improved resilience to emotional triggers, and an overall uplift in mood and mental clarity, without the dependency often associated with pharmaceutical SSRIs.

True healing begins with recognizing that everything you need is already within you. Too often, we look outside ourselves for relief, but real sovereignty comes from reclaiming our independence.

This is where Kanna shines. Unlike many pharmaceuticals (such as SSRIs) that can create dependency, Kanna helps regulate the amygdala, which is the brain’s fight-or-flight center. Over time, it reduces reactivity to stressors and supports daily wellbeing without dependence on anything external. Kanna acts as a supportive ally: a plant that offers relief when needed but ultimately encourages you to walk your own path.

Kanna contains over 30 different active compounds, known as alkaloids. Two of the most important are mesembrine, which acts like a natural SSRI to support mood, and mesembrinone, which helps boost feelings of wellbeing by reducing stress and contributing to gentle euphoria. Thanks to new extraction methods, these alkaloids can now be standardized – for example, to 3–5% mesembrine – making Kanna products more consistent and reliable.

One of the best-known standardized extracts is Zembrin®, which has FDA approval as a dietary ingredient and has been the focus of much of the clinical research. Studies suggest that Kanna may have powerful benefits, including relieving anxiety and depression, easing pain and even supporting people in overcoming addiction.

Brighter Mood & Balanced Energy – Kanna is best known for its ability to elevate mood. Its primary alkaloid, mesembrine, works in two powerful ways: it supports the natural release of serotonin while also preventing its reabsorption, giving your body more of this “feel-good” neurotransmitter to work with. At the same time, Kanna enhances dopamine (the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and motivation) and inhibits the enzyme PDE4, which contributes to a subtle yet noticeable boost of energy. This unique combination explains why Kanna can feel grounding and uplifting at once – a centering effect that mirrors the balance found in nature itself.

Physical Vitality – Kanna doesn’t just affect the mind, it supports the body too. Its alkaloids show anti-inflammatory properties and can even interact with opioid receptors, providing pain relief without risk of addiction. Kanna also engages with receptors tied to gut health, appetite and metabolism, suggesting benefits for those dealing with inflammation, obesity or overeating. Some evidence even points to its role in balancing the microbiome, making Kanna a quiet ally for overall physical resilience.

Clarity & Focus – By inhibiting PDE4, Kanna also offers benefits that extend beyond mood. PDE4 inhibitors are associated with cognitive protection and enhanced mental performance. Research suggests Kanna may support memory, executive function and cognitive flexibility, with potential applications for ADHD and even early-stage Alzheimer’s. By easing everyday stress, Kanna can also help improve focus – letting you feel clear, present, and mentally agile.

Sleep Support & Relaxation – Kanna’s relationship with GABA and melatonin receptors links it to improved sleep quality. By calming brain activity and reducing stress, it can help the body ease into rest more naturally. Since serotonin and melatonin are closely connected, Kanna’s influence on serotonin may further support healthy sleep rhythms. That said, Kanna can be stimulating when first consumed, so while it may improve sleep patterns over time, it’s best not to take it immediately before bed.

A Happy Ending for everyone – As both an empathogen and an aphrodisiac, Kanna has long been associated with connection and pleasure. Taken with intention, it can open space for deeper communication, emotional vulnerability, and heightened sensitivity to touch. Its serotonin-modulating effects may help address low libido, and ongoing research is exploring its potential in supporting erectile function, premature ejaculation, and menstrual discomfort.