What Is Kanna? Origins & Traditional Uses

Used for centuries by South Africa’s Khoikhoi and San peoples, kanna is much more than a modern mood enhancer. It is a culturally significant plant tied to ceremony, travel, stress relief, and social cohesion. Understanding kanna means understanding both its ethnobotanical roots and the respectful ways this plant has been prepared and shared across generations.

What Is Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) and Where Does It Originate From?

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a small succulent native to the arid regions of South Africa, particularly the Karoo and Namaqualand. Traditionally known as kanna or kougoed (“chewable”), it has been part of indigenous lifeways for hundreds of years.¹

Its reputation as a relaxing and soothing plant largely stems from its mesembrine-type alkaloids, which modern pharmacology associates with serotonin-related pathways and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) activity.

Is kanna a narcotic? Historically, colonial writers described many indigenous plants using vague labels like “narcotic,” but kanna does not align with narcotic drug classifications today.² Modern pharmacology instead recognises it as a psychoactive plant with relaxing properties, not a depressant or opiate.³

Does Kanna Get You High?

Kanna does not typically produce hallucinations or a “high” in the recreational sense. Ethnographic accounts describe it as grounding, uplifting, or loosening social tension, with effects that vary from person to person. Modern imaging studies show that extracts may reduce amygdala reactivity linked to stress processing, an effect quite different from substances that cause intoxication.⁴

What Are the Traditional Uses of Kanna by Indigenous Peoples?

For the Khoikhoi and San communities, kanna was woven into daily life, ceremony, and travel. Its recorded history stretches back to early colonial writings of the 1660s, though its use is undoubtedly older.⁵

The Khoikhoi and San Cultural Context

Ethnobotanical accounts describe several recurring themes:

Social bonding: Kanna was used during communal gatherings for easier conversation and relaxation.
Stress and emotional steadiness: Hunters and travellers used it to maintain focus and lessen fear.
Hunger and thirst suppression: Useful on long journeys across harsh terrain.
Ceremonial use: Often shared in group rituals or rites of passage.

How Was Kanna Historically Consumed or Prepared?

Traditional preparations varied by purpose and community. The best-known method is kougoed, a fermented product believed to mellow bitterness and modify the alkaloid profile.⁶

Chewing

Dried or fermented plant material was chewed for steady, sustained mood effects. The juice was swallowed, and the fibrous remnants were sometimes kept in the cheek.

Fermentation (Kougoed)

Fresh plant matter was crushed, sealed, and left to ferment before drying. SANBI linked literature notes that fermentation may reduce oxalate content and improve palatability.

Snuffing

Finely powdered kanna was inhaled for a faster onset. This practice varied widely among groups.

Smoking

Kanna leaves and stems were sometimes smoked alone or blended with other herbs, offering a shorter, more immediate experience.

Teas

Steeping dried material yielded a gentler preparation, suited to gentler, slower effects.

How Does Kanna Affect the Brain and Mental Well-being?

Kanna’s effects arise from several alkaloids that interact with mood and stress pathways. Modern pharmacology highlights two major mechanisms:

Serotonin reuptake inhibition (SRI), associated with mood elevation and reduced tension
PDE4 inhibition, potentially linked with cognitive flexibility and emotional processing

Human studies show possible reductions in anxiety markers and amygdala reactivity, while a 2023 systematic review found preliminary evidence for mood and stress modulation. However, sample sizes remain small, and results should be interpreted cautiously.⁷

Traditionally, effects were framed not in biochemical terms, but in terms of lived experiences: relaxation, focus, social ease, and resilience during physical hardship.

Kanna in Modern Context

Kanna has re-emerged globally as a natural wellness ingredient. Unlike traditional kougoed, modern extracts are often standardised for specific alkaloids, making their experience somewhat different from historical preparations.

Modern interest focuses on:

Mood and stress modulation
Social ease
Cognitive clarity
Appetite and tension reduction (traditional observations)

A thoughtful discussion on ethical sourcing is also essential. Benefit-sharing frameworks remain a crucial area of debate, particularly in light of past concerns about biopiracy.⁹

Is Kanna Used in Modern Herbal Supplements or Wellness Products?

Yes. Kanna is available today in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, teas, chewables, and powdered extracts. These products differ considerably from traditional fermented preparations, and their effects may vary. If you choose to explore modern kanna supplements, prioritise transparent sourcing and third-party testing.

Is Kanna Legal?

Legal status varies significantly from place to place; however, as of April–November 2025, a clear picture is emerging across major regulatory bodies. In the UK, for example, the most recent Home Office updates do not list kanna under the Misuse of Drugs Act. In the United States, it doesn’t appear on the federal Controlled Substances Act schedules either. And on a global level, the UN’s narcotic and psychotropic schedules make no mention of Sceletium tortuosum.

Taken together, this means kanna is generally not treated as a controlled substance at the international or national level. Still, local rules about imports, Novel Food classifications, or herb sales can differ from country to country, so it’s always worth double-checking the regulations where you live before buying or using the substance.

Here’s a quick summary:

United Kingdom: Not listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act (per updated Home Office controlled substances list).⁸
United States: Not scheduled under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).¹⁰
International (UN): Not listed under UN narcotic or psychotropic schedules.¹¹

Local regulations, Novel Food rules, and import controls may still apply, especially within the EU. Always check regional laws before buying or using Kanna.

Why Is Kanna So Popular Today?

Kanna’s appeal lies in its blend of heritage and subtlety. It offers:

A long history of culturally meaningful use
A gentle profile described by many users
Multiple preparation methods
Growing (but still early-stage) scientific interest
A bridge between traditional ethnobotany and modern wellness

If you choose to explore kanna, it’s worth approaching it with the same care and reverence that have shaped its use for centuries. This plant holds a significant place in the cultural history of the Khoikhoi and San peoples, and its modern popularity stems from their deep, long-standing connection to it. Taking a moment to acknowledge that lineage and using kanna thoughtfully, in appropriate amounts, and with awareness of how your body responds helps keep that tradition alive in a respectful way.

Whether you’re drawn to kanna for its relaxing qualities, its cultural story, or simple curiosity, exploring it mindfully can make the experience richer, safer, and far more connected to the heritage from which it comes.

References

Sceletium tortuosum | /RHS. Rhs.org.uk. Published 2025. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/210272/sceletium-tortuosum/details ↩︎
Gericke N, Viljoen AM. Sceletium—A review update. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008;119(3):653-663. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.07.043 ↩︎
Olatunji TL, Siebert F, Adetunji AE, et al. Sceletium tortuosum: A review on its phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, biological, pre-clinical and clinical activities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Published online November 2021:114711. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114711 ↩︎
Terburg D, Syal S, Rosenberger LA, et al. Acute Effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a Dual 5-HT Reuptake and PDE4 Inhibitor, in the Human Amygdala and its Connection to the Hypothalamus. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013;38(13):2708-2716. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2013.183 ↩︎
SCELETIUM TORTUOSUM HERBA Definition. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://pza.sanbi.org/sites/default/files/info_library/scelettort.pdf ↩︎
Chen W, Viljoen AM. To ferment or not to ferment Sceletium tortuosum – Do our ancestors hold the answer? South African Journal of Botany. 2019;122:543-546. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.10.011 ↩︎
Gouhie FA, Rodrigues JPA, Vieira LF, Cunha CLN, Yuyama EK. Sceletium tortuosum effects on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Disorders. 2023;11:100092. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dscb.2023.100092 ↩︎
Home Office. Controlled Drugs List. GOV.UK. Published May 26, 2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2 ↩︎
Wynberg R. Biopiracy: Crying wolf or a lever for equity and conservation? Research Policy. 2023;52(2):104674. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104674 ↩︎
Federal Register :: Request Access. unblock.federalregister.gov. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1308 ↩︎
Yellow list. www.incb.org. https://www.incb.org/incb/en/narcotic-drugs/Yellowlist/yellow-list.html ↩︎