Last updated September 17, 2026 What Is Kanna? Effects, Uses, and What the Research Says Kanna is a South African succulent commonly known as Sceletium tortuosum. It has a history of use among San and Khoikhoi peoples and contains alkaloids studied for their effects on mood and stress responses. The background to a human brain-imaging study describes that botanical and traditional context. Today, kanna supplements are marketed… Read more