The plant
Kanna grows wild in the dry Western and Northern Cape of South Africa, mostly in the region called Namaqualand. It belongs to the ice plant family, Aizoaceae, and looks like a small sprawling succulent with fleshy leaves and pale yellow to white flowers.
The Khoi and San peoples have used it for a very long time. The traditional preparation is called kougoed, which roughly means "something to chew": the plant is crushed and left to ferment for several days, then dried. Most kanna sold today is cultivated on licensed farms, not wild harvested.
Alkaloids
Kanna's effects come from a group of related alkaloids. The four that labs usually measure are:
| Alkaloid | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mesembrine | Usually the largest share. Acts on serotonin reuptake in lab studies. |
| Mesembrenone | Often the second largest. Fermentation and drying change the ratio between it and mesembrine. |
| Mesembrenol | Present in smaller amounts. |
| Mesembranol | Present in smaller amounts. |
Alkaloid content swings a lot between plants, growing conditions and processing. That is exactly why a lot specific COA matters: two bags both labeled "kanna" can be very different products.
How it's sold
- Dried plant and powder
- Cut, fermented or unfermented plant material. The lowest potency form.
- Extracts
- Concentrated powders sold by ratio (like 10:1) or by alkaloid percentage. Much stronger than plant material, and treated as high potency under the Kanna Consumer Protection Act.
- Tinctures and sprays
- Extracts dissolved in alcohol or glycerin.
- Capsules and tablets
- Measured servings of powder or extract.
- Teas and drinks
- Tea cuts and ready to drink beverages, including canned functional drinks.
Legal status
Kanna is not a controlled substance under US federal law. It has not been approved by the FDA to treat any condition, and companies selling it can't legally make disease claims about it. State and local rules can be different and can change, so check where you are.
No state has a consumer protection law written for kanna the way many states now have for kratom. The coalition's Kanna Consumer Protection Act is a draft model bill for that.
Safety and medications
The biggest known risk with kanna is combining it with other drugs that raise serotonin. Mesembrine acts on serotonin reuptake, the same general target as SSRI antidepressants. Stacking the two can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can cause agitation, fast heart rate, high body temperature, muscle twitching and, in bad cases, a medical emergency.
SSRIs (like sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram), SNRIs (like venlafaxine, duloxetine), MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, tramadol, triptans, lithium, St. John's wort, 5-HTP, or any other drug or supplement that affects serotonin.
If you take any prescription medication, have a heart condition, or are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using kanna.
Other basics: don't drive until you know how it affects you, don't mix it with alcohol, and start with the smallest serving, especially with extracts. If you think someone is having a bad reaction, call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
What to look for when buying
- A lot number on the package and a COA for that exact lot from an ISO 17025 accredited lab.
- For extracts, the percentage next to the milligrams, like "5% total alkaloids, 50 mg." A label that only says "kanna extract 50 mg" doesn't tell you how strong it is.
- Total alkaloids per serving printed on the label.
- The medication warning above, on the label and on the product page.
- An age check. A seller that will ship kanna extract to anyone without asking isn't following the rules anyway.
- No promises that it cures or treats anything.
Every company on the coalition's member registry has agreed to these rules.
Common questions
Is kanna legal in the United States?
It is not a controlled substance under federal law. State and local rules can differ.
Can you take kanna with SSRIs or other antidepressants?
No. See safety and medications above.
What are the alkaloids in kanna?
Mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and mesembranol. Mesembrine is usually present in the largest amount.
How old do you have to be to buy kanna?
Coalition members sell only to adults 21 and over.