Sceletium tortuosum (Kanna)

Sceletium, also known as Kanna, is used as a psychedelic by the Hottentots of South Africa. Is is sniffed, smoked or used as tea. The Dutch who arrived in South Africa called it kaugoed, which means 'chewing substance'.

Effects

Sceletium tortuosum enhances mood and a sense of connection, while relieving anxious feelings. In higher dosages it can cause euphoria, initially with stimulation and later with relaxation. Some users have noted enhanced tactile and sexual response.

Usage

Sceletium can be used as a snuff, in which case 20 mg is sufficient to produce a substantial effect. You can also chew it with a piece of gum. In that case it's advisable to take a larger amount, for example 100 mg to one gram. Traditionally it was smoked. Futher you can make tea of it, or extract the active compound with alcohol.

Ingredients

The active constituents of Sceletium tortuosum are mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. Mesembrine, the major alkaloid present, is a serotonin-uptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Warning

Sceletium Tortuosum is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It should not be combined with other SSRI's (Seroxat, Prozac) or Mono Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO-I), such as Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala), Banisteriopsis Caapi, Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Yohimbe, and certain anti-depressants.

Links

Empathogenic Effects of Sceletium tortuosum

Reviews

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Aug 26, 2008 Kanneus said:
     
“I came home from work and decided to not get stoned on weed (yet) but instead try out the Kanna I had bought the week before. I first put 1/5 of a gram in my vaporizer (Volcano) at 190 degrees Celsius. It produced a lot of white vapor, which tasted kind of sweet. After inhaling one or two balloons I talked to my girlfriend and she said I looked stoned, and indeed my eyes were bloodshot and I felt a certain buzz. But I felt disturbed, because I saw an old man outside who seemed to have lost the way or something, so I wanted to go outside to ask him if I could help him (the empathic quality of Kanna?). When I was about to open the door he approached someone himself, so I didn't have to go myself.

I then searched for trip reports and found some on psychonaut.com, describing experiences with 1 gram (eaten). So I decided to put the rest of the gram into the vaporizer as well, and for the next 20 minutes I was inhaling balloon after balloon, all the while watching two episodes of the Ali G show. Towards the end I vaporized some of my homegrown Shiva (also from Azarius).

I felt great. Not just happy and empathic, but sensual as well. The next hour and a half were spent in bed. Kanna turned out to be an excellent aphrodisiac. Realizing orgasm was not going to occur unless I wanted to, I decided to give my girlfriend an experience she had never had before (the empathic quality again?). We decided to stop because it was getting too late and my girlfriend was physically exhausted. I could probably have continued for at least another hour.

I fell asleep before midnight, but woke up quite early in the morning. Not sure if this had to do with the Kanna though.

About the feeling of being high on Kanna: it didn't make me as empathic and euphoric as MDMA, and though resembling a buzz, it wasn't quite like being stoned either. But it did turn out to be a wonderful experience for a relatively small amount of money.

Booyakasha!!”

May 7, 2008 Zozis said:
 
“Well just tried some with beer.Drank 0,5l ...tried to smoke it...the smoke has a strange taste...waited for effect-nothing. tried it as snuff- 0 effects. then eat the rest...maybe atleast my dreams will be colorful this night :) i got 2 more gramms of Kanna and im plannin to make tea from them.”

Apr 3, 2008 Well... said:
  
“It doesn't cost much, but doesn't really work that well either. I insuflated about 0,4 g after which my nostrils were burning. I wouldn't do it again.

I think that if 15x extract were made then this would be nice. Personally I would be willing to pay a decent price for that.”