Study shows mental health challenges are increasing among the working population
Kanna is a medicinal plant native to South Africa. It has been serving a spiritual and healing purpose for thousands of years.
In recent years, there has been a trend towards natural, plant-based remedies for the treatment of mild anxiety and depression. As part of the trend, there has been a growing interest in kanna, a plant native to South Africa that is believed to have a number of helpful properties.
But although kanna is generally considered very safe, there are some important points to consider before incorporating it into your self-care routine. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
In recent years, kanna has also begun to gain traction elsewhere in the world, thanks to its reputation for reducing anxiety, elevating mood, and promoting better sleep.
In the US in particular, more and more people are turning to kanna as a natural alternative to prescription medications such as Zoloft or Prozac.
Kanna functions in essentially the same way as those medications–by boosting the levels of serotonin (an important 'happy hormone') in the body.
For all its touted benefits, however, there are some important things to bear in mind if you are considering taking kanna.
In South Africa, it is possible to find kanna extract–or Sceletium tortuosum–at just about any pharmacy or vitamins and supplements retailer. It is normally sold in liquid or capsule form.
Kanna has a reputation for being a mood booster, because it contains the alkaloids mesembrine and mesembrenone. These are naturally occurring serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
In addition to the standard liquids and capsules, kanna gummies and sprays have also started to show up on the market.
Although kanna research is still in its infancy, experts believe that it may well be effective in treating mild symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Indeed, serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is involved with the regulation of anxiety, depression, and cognition.
According to a 2021 edition of the journal Current Neuropharmacology, there are also case reports of kanna being used successfully to treat major anxiety and depression.
Indeed, several psychiatrists in the US have integrated kanna into their clinical practices over the past decade.
However, the current advice is that those managing more serious forms of clinical depression should not swap their prescription medications for kanna.
In order for this to be a possibility, there must be adequate clinical trials that show kanna to be a viable alternative to prescription medications.
In terms of the side effects of this natural remedy, it is worth noting that kanna is psychoactive, not psychedelic, which means that it does not produce hallucinations.
It is also not neurotoxic, which many experts believe to be one of the biggest benefits of the medicinal plant.
According to neuropharmacologist Stephanie Karzon Abrams, the worst that could happen as the result of a big dose would probably be nausea and a headache.
However, kanna has been shown to cause nausea or a tingly feeling in the stomach even in small amounts. This is because most serotonin receptors are in the stomach.
For some people, this can mean that taking kanna has an appetite-suppressing effect.
Finally, experts warn that people who are already on prescription SSRIs should not also take kanna, since this would cause an excess of serotonin to flow through the body.
In terms of how to take kanna, experts recommend taking kanna at different times depending on the intention.
If relying on it generally to boost a low mood, it is probably best to take your kanna dose earlier on during the day.
However, if relying on it to reduce social anxiety in a specific situation, it may be better to take it one or two hours before going into that situation.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide when taking their dose would be most beneficial, bearing in mind, too, that everyone is different.
When it comes to relying on kanna to manage your anxiety or depression, it is important to be realistic about your expectations.
Despite its many touted benefits, kanna may not tick all the boxes for everyone, not least because everyone is chemically individual.
Furthermore, the body may build up a slight tolerance over time, which can mean that kanna gradually becomes less effective as a remedy.
Finally, although kanna does have a strong safety profile, it is highly recommended that you seek professional advice before incorporating it into your routine.
As always, it is not advisable to self-treat what may be a more serious form of depression or anxiety.
Sources: (The Strategist) (Verywell Mind)
See also: The neuroscience of anxiety: brain process explained
What is kanna, and can it really reduce anxiety?
The South African plant taking the natural remedy scene by storm
HEALTH Natural remedies
In recent years, there has been a trend towards natural, plant-based remedies for the treatment of mild anxiety and depression. As part of the trend, there has been a growing interest in kanna, a plant native to South Africa that is believed to have a number of helpful properties.
But although kanna is generally considered very safe, there are some important points to consider before incorporating it into your self-care routine. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.