Quick answer: Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent plant native to South Africa that people have chewed for centuries to lift their mood and ease stress. Its natural compounds, called alkaloids, gently affect serotonin in the brain. Early studies in healthy adults are promising but small.
We'll be honest: a couple of years ago, we'd never heard of kanna either. Then we tried it, read everything we could find, and fell in love with the plant. So consider this the intro we wish someone had given us.
What is kanna?
Kanna is a low-growing succulent from South Africa, with small white-to-pink flowers and fleshy leaves. Botanists call it Sceletium tortuosum (you'll also see Mesembryanthemum tortuosum). The name comes from the Latin for skeleton, because the veins on the dried leaves look a bit like tiny bones.
You might also see it called kougoed. Both names trace back to words meaning "chewed," because that's how it was traditionally taken.
Where does kanna come from?
Kanna has a long history with the San and Khoikhoi peoples of southern Africa, who used it in social and spiritual life. Dutch explorers first wrote about it in 1685, and by the late 1700s it was a prized trade good in the region.
The traditional prep is simple: crush the plant, let it ferment, dry it in the sun, then chew it. People also made it into teas and tinctures. Today you'll find it in capsules, powders, teas and, yes, melts.
How does kanna work?
Kanna's key compounds are a family of alkaloids, with mesembrine the best known. Lab research shows these alkaloids do two main things:
- Slow serotonin reuptake. Serotonin is one of the brain's mood messengers. Kanna's alkaloids help it hang around a little longer.
- Inhibit an enzyme called PDE4. PDE4 plays a role in signaling inside brain cells, which researchers link to mood and focus.
That combination may be why people describe kanna as both calming and clear-headed, rather than sleepy.
What are the benefits of kanna?
Traditionally, people used kanna to lift their mood, take the edge off stress and feel more at ease around others. Modern research is still early, but a few studies on one branded kanna extract are worth knowing about:
- A calmer stress response. In a 2013 brain-imaging study, 16 healthy adults took a single dose of the extract. Their amygdala (the brain's threat detector) reacted less to fearful faces than on placebo.
- Clearer thinking under pressure. A small three-week study found improvements in two areas of thinking (mental flexibility and executive function), plus better mood and sleep scores.
- Less pre-speech stress. In one 2020 study, stress before a simulated public-speaking task was lower with the extract than placebo.
The honest caveat: these studies are small, short, in healthy people, and on a different kanna extract than ours, so we don't claim Happy Melts will do the same. Nobody has run big, long-term trials yet. We think the early science is exciting, and we'll keep you posted as more comes in.
This is where our Happy Melts pillars come from: clarity, focus, caffeine-free energy and mood boost. Think of it as your calm in the chaos.
Does kanna get you high?
No, not in the way people usually mean. At supplement amounts, kanna isn't hallucinogenic and doesn't affect your coordination. Most people describe it as a gentle lift: a little lighter, a little more open, still completely you.
Is kanna safe?
In a three-month study, healthy adults took a branded kanna extract daily and showed no meaningful changes in heart rhythm, blood work or vital signs. Headache was the most common complaint, and it was actually more common in the placebo group.
That said, kanna isn't for everyone:
- Skip it if you take antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other medications that affect serotonin, unless your doctor says it's okay.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn't enough safety data.
- Talk to your doctor first if you take anything for anxiety, sleep or mood.
- Long-term safety beyond about three months hasn't been studied yet.
Is kanna legal in the US?
Yes. Kanna isn't a controlled substance under US federal law, and it's sold as a dietary supplement.
How do you take kanna?
The old-school way is chewing. The modern way can be capsules, powders, teas, chews or a melt that dissolves in your mouth.
FAQ
What does kanna feel like? Most people describe a soft mood lift and an easier, more social feeling, without feeling foggy or sleepy.
Is kanna the same as kava? No. Kava is a root from the South Pacific. Kanna is a succulent from South Africa. Different plants, different compounds.
What is kanna also called? Kougoed, channa, and its botanical name, Sceletium tortuosum.
Can I take kanna with antidepressants? We don't recommend it. Kanna affects serotonin, so check with your doctor before combining it with any medication that does too.
Where can I buy kanna? Our Happy Melts are 30 mg of kanna per melt, in a tin you can toss in your bag. Shop Happy Melts.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources
- Sceletium Tortuosum, Drugs.com (Wolters Kluwer), updated Oct 2026
- Terburg et al., Neuropsychopharmacology, 2013 (PubMed)
- Nell et al., randomized safety trial of kanna extract in healthy adults, 2013
- Sceletium tortuosum evidence summary, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
- Kanna legal status, Erowid