Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sceletium tortuosum (commonly known as kanna) is a succulent plant indigenous to South Africa, traditionally used by the Khoisan people for its mood-enhancing properties, including the relief of depression and anxiety. The plant’s psychoactive effects are attributed to alkaloids such as mesembrine, which are believed to act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors—mechanisms relevant to conventional antidepressant medications.

While the traditional use of Sceletium for mood elevation is well documented, scientific investigation is still limited. Several small-scale human studies and preclinical research suggest potential antidepressant effects. For example, a 2013 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Terburg et al. found that Sceletium extract improved mood and decreased anxiety in healthy adults, possibly by increasing serotonin levels. Other laboratory studies have shown that mesembrine and related alkaloids may influence neurotransmitter systems involved in depression.

However, robust clinical trials in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder are lacking, and most published research involves small sample sizes or non-clinical populations. Thus, while there is a plausible pharmacological mechanism and some supportive evidence, the overall strength of scientific validation remains modest (rated 2 out of 5). Sceletium may be of interest as a complementary approach, but should not replace established antidepressant therapies without further evidence and clinical guidance.

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