Kanna and Antidepressants: What You Need to Know
Here's What You Should Know Before Combining the Two
Let's just be honest here, mixing herbs and prescription medication is always a little tricky.
And what about Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum), one of the leading mood botanicals sold today? People are asking: Can I use Kanna if I already take an antidepressant, such as an SSRI?
It's a fair question. And if you've ever spent time on Reddit threads or herbal threads, you've likely had some debate on this very subject. The short version? Blending Kanna with SSRIs or other antidepressants isn't something you'd want to do casually and for a reason.
Let's explain it in straightforward and realistic terms, without the hyperbole, and with your safety in mind.
First, What is Kanna, Exactly?
Kanna is a South African succulent which has traditionally been utilized to soothe the nerves, boost social mood, and allow for a grounded state of mind. Healing Herbals offers a range of Kanna products like potent extract sprays and mesembrenone-concentrated formulas, all of which are crafted to highlight the natural qualities of the plant.
The main constituents of Kanna like mesembrine and mesembrenone are said to affect the brain serotonin levels. That is where the potential for interaction exists.
So, What's the Risk with Antidepressants?
It is SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) in most antidepressants that work to boost the level of serotonin in your brain by slowing down its reabsorption.
Kanna appears to do the same as well. It is not a drug, but it is thought to delay serotonin reuptake as well.
Now, this is where it gets risky: combining two medications that both act upon serotonin can cause a buildup of serotonin in the body. That doesn't sound so bad, but in some cases it creates a condition called serotonin syndrome, a state of severe agitation, confusion, racing heart, and others.
We're not trying to scare you but we are urging prudence. The parallel between the actions of Kanna and SSRIs is genuine. And although Kanna is a natural substance, its impact on brain chemistry persists.
What Do Real People Say?
This isn't theory there is ample anecdotal evidence online. If you look on Reddit or herbal sites, you'll find loads of people asking if it's safe to take Kanna with Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, or other antidepressants.
And the answers? They're very consistent:
"If you're on SSRIs, don't take with Kanna."
"Tried it once when I was on antidepressants and it didn't feel right way too intense."
"I'm off the meds now and use Kanna every now and then, but wouldn't have touched it on meds."
Yes, there are some who say they didn't have any issues. But when we're discussing the chemistry of your brain, it's not worth playing roulette.
Natural Does Not Equal Safe to Mix
Herbs are generally assumed to be harmless just because they're natural. Nature is not always nice to pharmaceuticals, however. Kanna is a prime example. Just because it's cultivated from the earth doesn't mean that it won't respond negatively to something made in a lab.
If you already take SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, antidepressants, or even anxiety or bipolar medication, it's actually not a good idea to just add Kanna to the equation. Have a talk with your doctor or someone who knows plant medicine and psychiatric medication.
If You're Not on Meds, Kanna Might Be Worth a Try
For those not on antidepressants and who want to experiment with Kanna, there is a bit more leeway. It is used socially, as part of mindfulness, or simply to get them in touch with their emotions.
We have at Healing Herbals carefully prepared Kanna products from minute sprays to high-mesembrenone extracts for those who would like to experience for themselves what this powerful plant has to give. But once more, get to know your body, begin low, and don't combine it with anything you don't know.
Final Thoughts
If you're already taking antidepressants, introducing Kanna into the mix isn't something to attempt lightly. The idea of mixing plant and pharma might seem appealing, but the risk just isn't worth the experimenting. Kanna is strong enough on its own, and SSRIs are, too. Together? It's a combination to approach with caution unless a physician gives the explicit go-ahead. If you are not medicated and you'd like to experiment with Kanna, just ensure you purchase it from a reputable supplier (like us!) and take small amounts.
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