# Is Kanna a Stimulant? Kanna vs. Caffeine | The Softer Hour

> Is kanna a stimulant? How people describe kanna, why it isn't a classic stimulant, and how it compares with caffeine and kava.

Source: https://softerhour.com/is-kanna-a-stimulant

Guide · Kanna

# Is kanna a stimulant?

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Not in the way caffeine is. People usually describe kanna as mood-lifting and sociable rather than energizing: lighter and chattier, without the jittery edge of coffee. Some find it more relaxing at larger amounts.

## What kanna actually is

Kanna (*Sceletium tortuosum*) is a succulent from South Africa's Karoo region, traditionally chewed, brewed or fermented. Its main alkaloid is mesembrine. [What is kanna?](https://softerhour.com/what-is-kanna)

## Why it's not a classic stimulant

Stimulants like caffeine speed you up. Research on mesembrine points to the brain's serotonin system instead, which is why people describe a mood shift rather than a jolt of energy. It's also why kanna should never be combined with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs).

## Kanna vs. caffeine vs. kava

|  | Kanna | Caffeine | Kava |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| How people describe it | Lifted mood, sociable | Alert, energized | Relaxed, loose |
| Jittery? | Rarely | Often, at high amounts | No |
| Best time | Social evenings | Morning | Evening |

## If you want an actual energy lift

People looking for energy without coffee more often reach for white kratom, which Botanical Brewing Co. pitches as a coffee swap. [What the kratom colors mean](https://softerhour.com/red-vs-green-vs-white-kratom).

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Related: [What is kanna?](https://softerhour.com/what-is-kanna) · [Kava vs. kratom vs. kanna](https://softerhour.com/kava-vs-kratom-vs-kanna) · [Alcohol alternatives that give you a buzz](https://softerhour.com/alcohol-alternatives-that-give-you-a-buzz)

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