Sceletium Tortuosum Extract Reviews, Benefits & Side Effects

Sceletium tortuosum, also known as kanna, is a succulent plant found in South Africa. The roots of this plant are typically fermented and chewed in traditional medicine practiced in this region.

Sceletium tortuosum is also smoked or consumed orally in the form of supplements, teas and tinctures. While it has a long history of traditional use, it has not been as well-researched in humans compared to other medicinal herbs.

Sceletium tortuosum has properties that are purported to promote relaxation and elevate mood. This has led to studies on the use of this herb for anxiety and depression. It is also used for several other purposes as well.

Consumers who are interested in taking Sceletium tortuosum extract for depression, stress or mood enhancement should know how it works and what types of effects it can have.

They should also be familiar with the potential adverse effects and drug interactions that are associated with the use of this herb.

Kanna

Herbal Extract

Mood

Calm

Sleep

How It Works:

• Exhibits anxiolytic effects
• Used traditionally for relaxation
• Contains mesembrine alkaloids with weak sedative effects

Dosage:

No standardized dosage

Safety:

Insufficient research available

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Sceletium Tortuosum Review

Traditional uses of Sceletium tortuosum include mood elevation and relaxation when this herb is fermented and chewed.

Tinctures and teas containing this herb have been used for anxiety, stress, depression and relaxation. Other uses include sedation and appetite suppression.

Sceletium tortuosum has also been used to relieve pain and reduce the symptoms of colic. It has been used for managing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and as an anesthetic as well.

Sceletium tortuosum capsules have been used for alleviating stress, reducing anxiety and easing tension. They have also been used to improve mental focus and concentration. Other uses include improving motivation and attention.

While this herb has been used for many health conditions in traditional medicine practices, it has not been approved as drug by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any medical conditions.

Many of the proposed uses for this plant extract require more research in humans to determine whether it is effective or not.

Benefits of Sceletium Tortuosum

Sceletium tortuosum contains several active alkaloids, some of which are believed to be responsible for its effects on mood, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [1]

Some of the alkaloids that have been identified in this plant include:

• 4′-O-demethylmesembrenol
• Demethylmesembranol
• Mesembrenol
• Mesembranol
• Mesembrenine
• Mesembrine
• Mesembrenone

Two of these alkaloids, mesembrine and mesembrenone, are considered major alkaloids. Mesembrine acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that prevents the absorption of this hormone, which leads to an increase in serotonin levels in the brain.

Mesembrenone acts as both a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, which is associated with improved cognition, anti-inflammatory effects and neuroprotective properties.

NMCD notes that the mechanism of action for this herb is not well understood. They state, “Sceletium alkaloids are thought to have a variety of psychoactive effects, however, these effects have not been well-characterized.”

Sceletium tortuosum has shown potential for reducing anxiety, although more research is needed to determine its efficacy.

A 2013 study published in Neuropsychopharmacology indicated that Zembrin, a patented form of Sceletium tortuosum, acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a PDE4 inhibitor, which might provide it with anxiolytic effects. [2]

This plant also shows potential for having positive effects on cognition. A 2014 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that the use of Sceletium tortuosum in adults between 45 and 65 years old resulted in an increase in cognition, which might be related to a reduction in anxiety. [3]

Best Way to Take Sceletium Tortuosum

Sceletium tortuosum is available as teas, tinctures and other forms designed for oral use. Most online retailers and health and wellness stores based in the U.S. do not sell this herb, but it is available from some international retailers.

Consumers who plan on purchasing this herbal extract online should make sure that they are purchasing these products from a reputable retailer for safety purposes.

There is no standard dosage of Sceletium tortuosum available. Those who want to use these products should ask their doctor to recommend a safe dosage for them based on age, medical conditions and other factors.

A patented extract of Sceletium tortuosum, which is sold under the brand name Zembrin, is also available from some online retailers.

Although there is no standard dosage, Zembrin has been used in doses of 8 to 25 MG in capsule form for research purposes. This product contains a 2:1 concentration of Sceletium tortuosum.

When consulting user reviews posted online, a moderate number of consumers who have used Zembrin have reported a positive experience with this form of Sceletium tortuosum. These consumers reported that Zembrin helped them feel relaxed and elevated their mood.

A small number of consumers who have used Zembrin have reported that this product did not produce any beneficial results on their mood or stress levels.

Side Effects of Sceletium Tortuosum

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, there is not enough information on the safety of Sceletium tortuosum to evaluate its potential health risks. [1]

While this plant has a long history of use, more study is needed to determine what dosages are safe and whether there are negative effects linked to long-term use.

Women who are pregnant and those who are lactating should avoid using these products, since their effects are not known. In general, consumers should not use Sceletium tortuosum without consulting a doctor.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that Sceletium tortuosum was well tolerated by healthy adults when taken once per day for 3 months. [4]

It can cause mild side effects in some individuals, such as headaches, respiratory symptoms, appetite loss and depression. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, chewing Sceletium tortuosum root within a short period of time after fermentation or using it excessively might cause intoxication. [1]

Sceletium tortuosum might have the potential to interact with certain medications and other supplements. It might cause the body to have serotonin levels that are high enough to be harmful when taken with CNS depressants, since these medications also increase serotonin levels.

It might also interact with herbs and supplements that have sedative properties, such as 5-HTP, kava and St. John’s wort, by causing excessive drowsiness. Consumers who use these types of medications or supplements should check with their doctor before using Sceletium tortuosum supplements, teas or other products.

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