Sceletium
OTHER NAME(S): channa, kanna, kougoed, sceletium, Sceletium tortuosum
Overview
Sceletium is a succulent plant called Sceletium tortuosum. The leaves of the plant may be chewed or made into a tea, juice, or dietary supplement. Sceletium supplements are often used to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as to improve memory and thinking skills. However, their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include a headache or upset stomach. Other forms of sceletium are sometimes used recreationally to improve mood or feel “high,” but it is not clear whether it actually causes these effects. The risks of recreational sceletium are not well understood. Before using sceletium, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is sceletium used for?
Sceletium dietary supplements are used for various health purposes, but their benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use sceletium include the following.
- To improve memory and thinking skills
- To relieve stress or anxiety
Sceletium (Sceletium tortuosum) is also sometimes used recreationally to improve mood or feel “high.” However, the actual effects of recreational use are not well understood.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed sceletium for safety and effectiveness, and it is not approved by the FDA. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does sceletium work (mechanism of action)?
Sceletium is a succulent plant called Sceletium tortuosum. It is native to South Africa, where it is commonly called kanna (channa) or kougoed. The leaves of the plant may be chewed or used to make juices, teas, or dietary supplements.
Sceletium contains many different chemicals that may have effects in the brain, including mesembrenol, mesembrenone, and mesembrine. This has led to interest in using sceletium supplements for various purposes, such as anxiety, stress, memory, and thinking skills. However, its benefits for these uses are not well researched or understood.
Other forms of sceletium, including powders, vapes, and gummies, are sometimes used recreationally to improve mood or feel “high.” In fact, sceletium is sometimes referred to online as “nature’s MDMA.” But this nickname may be misleading. It is not clear whether recreational sceletium can actually cause a high. Some research suggests that its effects are likely to be limited and that it may not even help improve mood. Also, the risks of recreational sceletium are not well defined.
Herbal products, such as sceletium, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific sceletium product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.
How should I store sceletium?
You should store sceletium according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of sceletium?
The most common side effects of sceletium are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Upset stomach
There may be other side effects of sceletium that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of sceletium?
While less common, the most serious side effects of sceletium are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Sceletium may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using sceletium and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use sceletium?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use sceletium.
- Channa
- Kanna
- Kougoed
- Sceletium
- Sceletium tortuosum
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific sceletium products they stock.
What should I know about sceletium before using it?
Sceletium is available as a tea or dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep sceletium out of the reach of children.
Herbal products, such as sceletium, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific sceletium product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during its growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Sceletium is available in many different forms, including as a liquid extract, dried ground powder, capsule, tea, and gummy. The raw leaves are also sometimes chewed or made into juice. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in the plant.
The FDA has not tested sceletium products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. However, some dietary supplements containing sceletium have been found to contain other ingredients, such as ephedrine. These other ingredients may cause serious side effects. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using sceletium?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if sceletium is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney or liver problems
- Mental health problems, such as depression, a past suicide attempt, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, or psychosis
- History of misusing prescription medicines or street drugs
Other Medicines and Supplements.Sceletium may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using sceletium, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how sceletium could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if sceletium passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does sceletium interact with foods or drinks?
There is not enough research to know if sceletium interacts with foods or drinks, including alcohol.
Does sceletium interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using sceletium.
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
- An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- A triptan, such as eletriptan (Relpax), sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
The interactions between sceletium and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with sceletium is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking sceletium with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much sceletium?
If you or someone else has used too much sceletium, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Sceletium comes in a wide range of forms that may be used in different ways. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use sceletium safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- American Botanical Council: HerbClip: Sceletium (Sceletium tortuosum, Mesembryanthemaceae). [accessed 1/12/2026]
- Brain Disorders: “Sceletium tortuosum effects on anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.”
- Operation Supplement Safety: Kanna: Uses and safety in dietary supplements. [accessed 1/12/2026]
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Proof-of-concept randomized controlled study of cognition effects of the proprietary extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) targeting phosphodiesterase-4 in cognitively healthy subjects.”
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: “Sceletium tortuosum: a review on its phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, biological, pre-clinical and clinical activities.”
- Molecules: “A chewable cure “Kanna”- biological and pharmaceutical properties of Sceletium tortuosum.”
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: “A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) in healthy adults.”
- The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: “Ergogenic effects of 8 days of Sceletium tortuosum supplementation on mood, visual tracking, and reaction in recreationally trained men and women.”