Research Insights: Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) and Mood Preservation After Exercise
Kanna, known scientifically as Sceletium tortuosum, is a succulent plant native to South Africa with a history of traditional use in folk medicine. Traditionally, its leaves have been chewed or brewed into teas for various purposes, and modern research has explored its potential effects through its alkaloids, particularly mesembrine. This blog post examines a pilot study investigating short-term supplementation with Sceletium tortuosum and its relation to mood following unaccustomed resistance exercise, drawing directly from the research findings.
Background on Kanna from Research
Research indicates that Sceletium tortuosum contains high concentrations of mesembrine alkaloids, which may influence central nervous system activity. Studies have suggested mechanisms such as inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) and blockade of serotonin (5-HT) reuptake, which could play a role in mood-related effects. PDE-4 inhibition has been linked to increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling in neural tissue, potentially enhancing cellular communication. Additionally, serotonin reuptake modulation is a common focus in studies of mood and anxiety. Prior investigations have reported anxiolytic and mood-enhancing actions in healthy individuals, though effects on exercise contexts remain limited.
Study Design and Methods
The pilot study involved 16 untrained females, aged around 21 years, who were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving Sceletium tortuosum supplementation (25 mg daily for three days) and the other a placebo (gluten-free cornstarch). Participants were non-resistance-trained, defined as engaging in strength training no more than once per week, and were screened to exclude those with upper body injuries, mood disorders, or certain medications.
During the baseline visit, measurements included perceived soreness, range of motion (ROM) of the elbow, mood via an abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire, and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels as a marker of muscle damage. Participants then performed an eccentric bicep curl descending pyramid protocol on their non-dominant arm, starting at 11.34 kg and reducing by 2.25 kg per set until 2.25 kg, completing repetitions until fatigue. Total repetitions and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded.
Supplementation began immediately after the exercise, continued the next day, and included a dose 30 minutes before the 48-hour follow-up visit, where all measurements were repeated. The study was double-blinded, with treatments matched in appearance, and participants refrained from vigorous activity, caffeine, and recovery aids like anti-inflammatories.
Key Findings on Mood
Mood was assessed using the POMS questionnaire, which provides a score where more negative values indicate better mood. The results showed a main effect for time and treatment on mood scores. Mood worsened from baseline to 48 hours across both groups, but the decrement was significantly greater in the placebo group compared to the Sceletium tortuosum group. At 48 hours, mood was better in the Sceletium tortuosum group than in the placebo group, with a large effect size.
The study suggests that short-term Sceletium tortuosum supplementation may preserve mood following unaccustomed intense exercise. This aligns with prior research indicating potential mood-stabilizing effects, possibly through PDE-4 inhibition and serotonin reuptake mechanisms. However, the pilot nature limits broad generalizations.
Other Outcomes: Soreness, ROM, Muscle Damage, and Performance
Beyond mood, the study measured perceived soreness on a 1-10 scale, finding it increased at 48 hours in both groups but was lower in the Sceletium tortuosum group. ROM decreased at 48 hours across groups, but the Sceletium tortuosum group showed greater preservation. Plasma LDH levels rose at 48 hours irrespective of treatment, indicating no difference in this muscle damage marker.
Exercise performance, measured by total repetitions, declined at 48 hours in both groups with no treatment effect. RPE increased at 48 hours in the placebo group but not in the Sceletium tortuosum group. These findings suggest potential influences on perceptions of soreness and exertion, though not on objective performance or damage biomarkers.
Potential Mechanisms and Implications
The study discusses possible mechanisms, including mesembrine alkaloids interacting with opioid receptors for analgesic effects and amygdala modulation for reduced anxiety responses. It notes that high anxiety can exacerbate pain and ROM limitations, and Sceletium tortuosum's reported anxiolytic properties might contribute to better mood preservation. Anti-inflammatory effects were not evident here, possibly due to the intensity of exercise overwhelming low-grade inflammation responses.
From a research perspective, these preliminary results imply Sceletium tortuosum could help mitigate negative psychological effects after intense exercise, though it did not affect performance or muscle damage markers.
Limitations and Future Research
The study was a pilot with a small sample of young, healthy females, limiting generalizability. It focused on eccentric exercise, which may not reflect full training regimens. No side effects were reported, but larger, more diverse studies are needed to explore effects in populations with baseline mood disturbances or different exercise types. Direct markers of muscle damage and long-term supplementation were not assessed.
For those interested in the full details, the original study is available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1661-3821/1/1/2
