Kanna acts acutely. You take a serving, it comes on, it runs its course, and it ends. Nothing accumulates and there is no loading period.
What it feels like depends on two things: how much alkaloid is in the serving, and which alkaloids.
Onset And Duration
With our extract powders, a 25mg serving comes on in about 30 minutes and runs two to three hours. Encapsulated formulas take 30 to 60 minutes, because the capsule has to open first, and run the same two to three hours.
The Three Alkaloids
Kanna has three main actives, and they pull in different directions. Mesembrine is the bright, social one. Mesembrenone is the calm one. Delta-7-mesembrenone pulls toward winding down.
The share of each is the alkaloid profile, and it is what decides the character of the effect at a given strength.
The Bright End
High-mesembrine extracts feel bright and outward. Mood lifts, conversation comes easier, and attention turns toward what is in front of you. LIFT sits here at 80/15/5, and Kanna Drops further along at 90/5/5.
The Middle
BLISS runs 65/20/15. It is warm and body-centred, still social, with more of the calm alkaloid in the mix.
The Calm End
REST runs 50/25/25 and carries the highest Delta-7 share in our line. It is calm and evening-facing. It is not a sleep aid.
The First Time
First-timers sometimes feel very little. Take one serving, wait the full 30 minutes, and do not add more in the same session to chase it.
Servings
For our extract powders a serving is 25mg, which is two to three micro-scoops. LIFT XR is concentrated to 16% total alkaloids rather than 5%, so a starting amount there is about 10mg — one micro-scoop. If this is your first kanna, start with LIFT.
What The Research Reports
Two human studies give an outside measure. In the first brain-imaging study on a kanna extract, a single 25mg serving of a standardized research extract reduced amygdala reactivity to threatening faces. In a pilot exercise study, mood held up better across three days of 25mg than with placebo.
Both studies were small, both were in healthy adults, and both used a research extract rather than ours. They describe a direction, not a guarantee of what any individual will feel.
Where To Read Next
A Beginner's Guide To Kanna covers the formats and servings. How To Choose A Kanna Extract covers what the numbers on a label mean. The full range is on Our Kanna Extracts.
Kanna is serotonergic. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if you take any serotonergic medication or supplement.
†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.
