Kanna Dosing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Kanna Dosages

A humble, ground-growing plant, kanna may not sound like anything all that interesting. However, this little plant has been known for its profound effects for centuries. If you've stumbled upon kanna and find your curiosity piqued by its effects, you are likely curious about the right kanna dosage. Let's get a closer look. 

First, what is kanna exactly?

Scientifically known as Sceletium Tortuosum, kanna is actually a native South African succulent shrub. The plant has been used for centuries for a litany of therapeutic reasons, but also because it may induce a sense of euphoria at high doses. 

The chemical makeup of kanna is responsible for its effects. For one, kanna contains valuable alkaloids like mesembrine that mimic the functions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs or anti-depressants), help to boost bodily energy, and activate certain feel-good molecules like dopamine. 

With so many mechanisms of action, kanna is used for an array of reasons in modern times. While some groups seek kanna purely for its euphoric effects, the effects of kanna that are most desirable tend to be more therapeutic in nature. Some people use kanna to:

• Elevate mood 
• Help with anxious feelings or stress
• Have more energy throughout the day 
• Curb appetite 
• Encourage better focus 

Surprisingly, a secondary effect of kanna is its ability to help you feel more in-tune with the people around you, which can be great for those who struggle with social situations. 

Ways to Consume Kanna and Typical Dosages

Originally, the leaves from the kanna plant were most often smoked or chewed after a fermentation period. Today, however, kanna is available in so many forms, from capsules to teas and everything in between. Let's look at the most common ways of using kanna and the proper kanna dosing for each. 

Taking Kanna Capsules

Kanna is available in convenient capsules. At Hello Kanna, we take the natural properties of kanna to the next level by combining it with other natural nootropics and vitamins. Each Hello Kanna blend is available in 2-count packs and 30-count bags. Explore our full selection of Kanna Products to learn more and find out which one is right for you. 

In general, we recommend starting with 2 capsules per day, and increasing/decreasing your dosage based on your experience.

Adding Pure Kanna Powder to Food and Drinks

Kanna can also be consumed in pure powder form. At Hello Kanna, we offer an ultra high pure kanna powder, which we call "Hello Pure."

Hello Pure can easily be added to your favorite drinks and foods, like smoothies, acai bowls, coffee, and protein shakes.

In general, we recommend starting with 1 to 2 scoops of Hello Pure per day and increasing/decreasing based on your experience.

Chewing Kanna Leaves 

Kanna leaves are traditionally chewed for about 15 minutes. So, the best plan if you have access to fermented kanna leaves is to chew on the leaves for around 15 minutes and then take them out of your mouth. 

How to Find the Best Kanna Dosage for You 

Since every individual can experience kanna in their own unique way, you may have to experiment a bit to find the best kanna dosage for you personally. A good rule of thumb is to start with a lower dose of kanna extract, see how that dose makes you feel, and then adjust in small increments from there. 

What Effects of Kanna to Expect with the Proper Dosage 

When you take the proper dosage of kanna, you can expect the effects to be relatively noticeable but not blatantly obvious. You may immediately notice that you feel more content, less anxious, and a bit better about getting on with your day. You may also find yourself more calm and relaxed with an ability to better focus on tasks that typically take a lot of effort to focus on. Some people note just a hint of euphoria, which equates to simply feeling more happy than usual. 

What happens if you consume too much kanna extract?

With the minimal studies available, kanna has proven to be relatively well-tolerated in doses as high as 6mg per kilogram of body weight within a day. That is roughly 420mg for an adult of average weight. In animal studies, treatment-related toxicity was reported with doses as high as 5,000 mg per day. 

Nausea is one of the most common complaints people experience if they take too much kanna, but this can also occur with a typical dose if you've not yet adjusted. You may also experience a bit of drowsiness with a higher dose or feel somewhat intoxicated. As long as you keep your kanna dosage within a reasonable range, you should have no adverse effects. 

Looking for an Easy Way to Try Kanna?

Without question, kanna capsules are the easiest way to keep your dosage level of kanna in check and enjoy the most authentic effects. If you are ready to try kanna for yourself, be sure to check out our easy-to-dose capsules at Hello Kanna. We offer capsules of strictly kanna but also botanical blends that have synergistic actions to give you the best experience. Pick up a Hello Pak with only six capsules for a trial run, or grab a 30-capsule pack for longer-term use.