Kanna’s Impact on Serotonin: What You Need to Know
When it comes to herbal plants that trend among health communities, Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is typically the one trended about. Indigenous to South Africa and traditionally chewed and steeped for centuries, Kanna is currently getting attention online especially among Reddit communities and naturopathic health professionals for its fascinating link to serotonin, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter.
But how does Kanna really influence serotonin levels, then? And what do people experience when they use it? Let's have a closer look at the science behind it, realistically the anecdotal reports, and what makes this plant so fascinating.
Kanna and the Serotonin System: An Overview
Kanna contains alkaloids such as mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol. These are reported to influence the brain's serotonin pathways. This is how:
1. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibition (SRI)
Mesembrine, which is a key alkaloid of Kanna, has been found in research to be a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). This would mean that it will slow down reuptake of serotonin in the brain, i.e., the serotonin in the synaptic cleft will be around for longer periods.
Consider it this way: instead of the serotonin being quickly reabsorbed by the neuron that dropped it, Kanna's molecules allow it to "stick around" a little longer perhaps amplifying the effects of endogenously circulated serotonin.
2. PDE4 Inhibition
Certain Kanna alkaloids also seem to block an enzyme named PDE4 (phosphodiesterase-4), which contributes to mood control. This is a less widely discussed mechanism, but some scientists propose that PDE4 blockage might have a role in cognitive flexibility and emotional hardness.
What Others Are Saying Online
Log onto any of the Reddit boards or herbal forums, and you'll see a range of first-hand accounts of individuals who are testing Kanna. Experience is diverse, but certain consistencies are present:
- "I felt lighter in spirit without feeling spaced out."
- It removed some of the edge of my stress without making me drowsy.
- There was a subtle improvement in mood nothing overwhelming, just smooth.
It must be remembered that effects are state-, brain chemistry-, product-, and dose-dependent, and that Kanna is consumed alone or in combination with other herbs or supplements.
Key Considerations:
While Kanna is legal in most counties except a handful and tends to be well tolerated, there are a few things to consider:
- Interaction Awareness: Because Kanna can affect serotonin levels, it's generally not a good idea to use it with SSRIs, MAOIs, or other medications that affect serotonin.
- Form Counts: Fermented Kanna reportedly contains a more uniform alkaloid composition than does raw, unfermented plant material.
- Start Low: Because it works on neurochemistry, the majority of users recommend starting low and observing effects over time.
Why Kanna from Healing Herbals?
If you're looking to experiment with Kanna, sourcing is key. With Healing Herbals, you'll find reputable Kanna that is ethically harvested and handled with respect to provide you with a product that is both traditional and powerful.
Regardless of how you're experiencing Kanna, in tea, tincture, or powder, Healing Herbals provides lab-tested products for a clean and safe experience.
Concluding Remarks
Kanna's effect on serotonin is not herbal lore it's alkaloid action that appears to influence the equilibrium of serotonin in the brain. While it's not to be substituted for medical interventions, many users like the subtle elevation and balance it creates. If you are attracted to plant allies with history and culture, Kanna may be one to investigate in a careful, seeking, and respectful manner.
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