Information about kanna: Sceletium tortuosum
Want to immerse yourself in the world of Kanna for the first time, but don’t really know where to start? You are certainly not alone. With all the varieties available on the market today, it can be a bit difficult to know where to buy Kanna.
What is kanna?
Kanna is obtained from the plant Sceletium tortuosum. It is made from the dried and fermented roots and leaves of the plant and is also known as Channa and Kougoed. Available in different forms, from powdered extracts and capsules to teas and even honey, its effects are generally the same – each type of consumption offers an exhilarating, euphoric and substantial intoxication. Some even claim that cannabis provides a similar high to cocaine or alcohol, but without the hangover or negative effects associated with these substances.
The history of kanna
The plant Sceletium tortuosum is native to South Africa and has a long history as it has been used there for thousands of years. The indigenous Khoekhoe people of South Africa traditionally used Kanna in rituals and ceremonies as a drug that causes visions. Kougoed comes from Afrikaans and literally means “something to chew”.
The Khoekhoe crushed the plant, squeezed the juice and then let it ferment in animalskin bags. After three days, the bags are stirred and placed in the sun for another five days to continue the fermentation process. After that, the roots look like chewing tobacco. At this point, the roots and leaves of Sceletium tortuosum are ready to be chewed. When mixed with saliva, they can have a powerful effect when swallowed.
What is the best way to consume Kanna?
In South Africa, Kanna has always been consumed during leisure time, much like going for a drink or smoking with a friend. Those who consumed kanna in society often did so to awaken their animal spirits, fill them with joy and laughter. However, those who abused it experienced loss of consciousness and delusions, similar to the effects of alcohol.
What are the effects of kanna?
Kanna can have different effects depending on the dose and the person who ingests it. On the one hand, it can have stimulating, exhilarating and euphoric properties. However, it is also known to have a relaxing effect. Although it was used in the sixteenth century to improve mood, it is unfounded and its effectiveness is controversial. It is believed that the psychoactive effects of the plant are due to its active ingredient, the alkaloid mesembrin.
However, studies have been conducted on healthy adult animals and humans to investigate the influence of Sceletium tortuosum.
For the average user, the effects of Sceletium tortuosum depend on how it’s taken (but we’ll come back to that). In small doses, most users will experience mild intoxication accompanied by an increased sense of well-being. If the dose is increased, the relaxing effect of the plant takes place. Although it does not nail on the couch like particularly potent cannabis strains, kanna allows you to relax and unwind for a long time. Although kanna has been used in the past as a means of having visions, it has no hallucinogenic properties and is not considered psychedelic.
The side effects of Kanna are minimal and entirely dose-dependent. It is also known to act as an appetite suppressant. This means that its use as an appetite suppressant is considered by some to be beneficial.
Whatever your goal, it’s best to start with a lower dose and gradually ramp up. Each person has a different “sweet spot” where the desired effect occurs.
How to use kanna?
There are many different ways to ingest Kanna and Kanna powder, and it is for this reason that it is available in all possible forms. The more traditionalist among you may want to experience Kanna in its most authentic form, chewing the fermented roots to preserve its authenticity. Or, if you’re looking for a more modern method, you can charge your vaporizer and enjoy Kanna this way.
Each method has its own dosing guidelines. As we know, each person has their personal level of tolerance, and if some feel only a slight effect, those with low tolerance will be much more affected.
Vaping
If you buy kanna extract powder, you can charge your vaporizer with the smoking herb. Whether you use a large vaporizer or a portable vaporizer, it’s up to you.
It is essential to find the right dose. As a general rule, those who want a lighter effect should use about 25 mg of kanna extract. For a medium effect, it is necessary to take 40-60 mg, and for the strongest effect, it is necessary to use between 100-250 mg. The optimal temperature for vaporizing kanna is 188°C. This is how you will be able to get the most aromas out of your Kanna. These are only indicative values, but you can control the amount by taking less regular and shallower puffs. This way, you can measure the effect while you’re shooting and stop when you feel you’ve had enough.
While it’s perfect to be vaporized on its own, many users tend to vaporize kanna in a friendly setting with friends. The effect of rakanna vaporization is closer to relaxation than with other methods of consumption. It is thus possible to have conversations between friends, which reflects the traditional social side of the Khoekhoe people.
Spraying
Kanna’s sniff is considered one of the fastest and most powerful methods of taking and can be a great way to feel the effects immediately. The use of a finely sprayed extract makes it possible to snort it with great ease. A mild dose is about 50 mg, while a moderate dose is somewhere between 50 and 100 mg. Those who want a higher dose can range from 250 mg to 500 mg. Here, too, it is worth starting at low doses, observing the effects and then increasing the dose.
Evaluations show that the effect of kanna sniffing is more or less immediate, and overall it has a much stronger, euphoric and stimulating effect than with other methods.
Chewing kanna
As we have already mentioned, this is the ultimate way to experience the traditional khoekhoe method of Kanna. As with chewing tobacco, you can buy crushed Kanna leaves and ferment them at home using a technique similar to that of tribal members, but using an airtight container rather than a beastskin bag. You can also buy already fermented leaves that you can enjoy immediately.
Whichever method you choose, all you have to do is chew the leaves. A dose of about 50-150 mg produces a subtle and mild effect. Those looking for a moderate effect can chew 200-400 mg. To achieve the strongest effect, a dose of 600-1000 mg is sufficient. Kanna doesn’t taste particularly strong, and many claim it has a subtle licorice taste. If you don’t want to chew kanna alone, you can mix it with chewing gum to hide the taste. Chewing and swallowing saliva can have a euphoric and mildly intoxicating effect, which usually lasts 1 to 2 hours.
Sublingual consumption
Sublingual consumption is another way to ingest Kanna. This method consists of placing the Kanna under the tongue and holding it there for about fifteen minutes so that it is absorbed into the bloodstream. The area under the tongue offers a much faster and direct path to blood circulation, as metabolism by the liver is bypassed.
The effect of sublingual consumption is similar to that of chewing and provides bursts of energy and euphoria associated with improved mood.
Kanna tea
Another way to experience the effects of kanna is to prepare an infusion. You can buy ready-made teas, but it’s easy and rewarding to make your own tea. With just a few ingredients and in about 15 minutes, your tea is ready. Kanna tea has a relaxing effect and a pleasant taste. Many report that kanna tea tastes similar to green tea, but this taste can be adapted by adding flavor enhancers like honey, lemon or even sugar.
The effects of kanna tea are less powerful than those of the other methods mentioned, but it is a perfect drink to consume at any time of the day. Those who want a lighter, more subtle dose can opt for 200 mg. For an average effect, 400 mg is recommended, and the strongest effect is achieved with amounts above 800 mg.
What are the different types of kanna?
We looked at the different uses of kanna. And as we’ve already suggested, there are many types of kanna consumption to cater to the many ways to enjoy it. Some can be combined, for example powders and extracts if you vape. How you consume kanna is up to you. Again, it’s worth mentioning that you need to find the right dose and method for you. This may require a bit of experimentation at first, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Shredded kanna leaves
The crushed leaves of the plant are one of the most accessible methods to experience its effects. The leaves give the freedom to ingest kanna in almost any way you prefer. Most of the time, the packages are delivered ready to be fermented at home. All you have to do is grind the leaves and place them in a closed container. Let them ferment for about 7-8 days, but open the container every day so that the leaves can aerate briefly.
Fermentation takes place when the leaves begin to take on a dark and brown color. Once the fermentation is complete, all that remains is to dry the leaves. To do this, you can leave them in the sun for five days or dry them in the oven at a low temperature of 80°C. Be careful not to leave them there for too long.
Once you have your leaves, the possibilities are endless. You can chew them directly, make an infusion or make your own powder by finely molding them.
Kanna powder
Those who wish to forego fermentation and preparation can buy kanna powder instead, which is essentially composed solely of pulverized plant matter. Canna powder is available in different concentrations and has many uses. It can be snorted, chewed and chewed, or even added to food. The only limit is your imagination. Ingesting kanna powder is arguably one of the easiest and fastest ways to feel the effects.
It is also possible to buy kanna powder in capsule form to get a natural and energetic boost that can be taken anywhere and anytime.
Kanna extract
Highly concentrated kanna extracts offer a more potent effect than kanna powder. They are often available as a finely ground extract and are used in the same way as kanna powder. Whether used as chewing tobacco or in a vaporizer, it allows the user complete freedom. The most common kanna extract is 10x, that is, it is ten times stronger than normal kanna powder. This is aimed at experienced kanna consumers. Small doses give a boost to energy, while large amounts often have a rather sleepy effect.
How to grow kanna plants?
Growing Kanna Sceletium tortuosum is also a viable option. This way, you’ll have access to your own kanna in no time. Although Sceletium tortuosum is native to South Africa, you can also grow it at home. You can buy seeds online, but you can also grow Sceletium tortuosum from cuttings.
Kanna plants can be grown at any time of the year. However, the best results are achieved when the plant is grown in a warm and bright environment. This is how Sceletium tortuosum can develop well. During the colder months, you can also bring your plants indoors.
Start by placing your seeds or cuttings in terracotta pots filled with porous earth. The plant will thus obtain a soil texture similar to that of its natural habitat, which will be beneficial in its growth cycle.
Kanna seeds
Kanna Sceletium tortuosum is easy to grow, but can be susceptible to pests. You can combat this by using a soap-based insecticidal spray.
Insects are not the only risk for Kanna Sceletium tortuosum. The plant can also develop a virus, especially if you have several plants at once. The virus can impair and hinder growth. Watch out for spots, discolored lines and pale white on the leaves, as they are a sign of the presence of the virus. Although there is no cure, you can try to remove the infected specimen to save your other plants.
It may seem like there are a lot of things that can go wrong in growing Sceletium tortuosum plants, but they are usually easy to maintain and require minimal watering and maintenance. It is enough to be careful during the growing period and one can harvest the leaves and roots, which can then be fermented and used at will.
Where to buy kanna?
While you can grow your own Sceletium tortuosum plant, there is a simpler option. Kanna, regardless of its form or species, is now available and can be ordered in the Mycotrop shop, whether you want to experiment with powdered or extracted forms, experience historical and traditional methods of leaf chewing, or taste ground kanna. Order today and test the kanna. Remember to go easy and find the dose and method that suits you, you will not be able to go wrong.