Stress is all around us - work, relationships, health, and even just keeping your house in order can take a toll on you physically and mentally. It’s not a matter of avoiding stress as much as it is managing stress. There are plenty of healthy ways to keep its effects at bay.
Two popular remedies we see compared for natural stress management are kanna vs kratom - and once you dig into the details, it’s easy to see why they’re brought up together. They are both botanicals with powerful capabilities to elevate your lifestyle.
However, they’re also very different in how they work in the body, the exact effects they produce, safety concerns, and the legal landscape. That’s why we put together this kratom vs kanna comparison to help you choose the right addition to your self-care routine.
Ultimately, we feel strongly that the kanna benefits far outweigh the appeal of kratom - and with a lower risk profile and widespread legality, it’s the clear choice. Read on to learn more about why kanna may be better than kratom, or the concept of mixing kanna and kratom together!
Overview of Kanna
Kanna is known scientifically as Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent plant that can be traced back to ancient South Africa. There, it was used by indigenous communities (like the Khoisan people) in traditional ceremonies to bring people together and promote relaxation.
It’s a powerful mood-boosting botanical with effects ranging from stress relief to mental clarity, and in some cases, it can even produce euphoric effects! But unlike many other psychoactive plants, you shouldn’t experience hallucinations or intense sensations. It’s subtle and nuanced.
Mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol are the aklaloids that make kanna so special. They work mainly by modulating serotonin levels in the brain. It’s for this reason kanna is compared to mild anxiolytics, as it may ease stress and sometimes even support better sleep.
But depending on how it’s used kanna may also provide a gentle energy lift, perfect for helping push through a mid-day lull at work or preparing for a night out in social settings. It all depends on the dosage and consumption method.
Speaking of which, you’ll find kanna products available in the form of capsules, teas, and powders, but the best way to take kanna is actually just a few clicks away at Tabs.
We’ve developed a unique delivery system in our convenient, fast-acting sublingual tabs to enhance mood, melt away social anxiety, and promote relaxation with minimal risk of dependency or severe side effects.
We’ll talk more about our kanna products and the role they can play in elevating all of life’s moments later on. In the meantime, let’s introduce the other half of the kanna vs kratom conversation.
Overview of Kratom
Kratom is also known as Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia - Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia specifically. It’s grown in the rainforests and has also been used in traditional medicine for centuries - but for much more than just relaxation.
The thing that makes kratom unique is there are so many different forms of it. It’s characterized in one of two ways - either by the strain (Thai, Bali, Maeng Da, Malay, etc.) or by the vein color (red, green, or white). This means there are countless ways to use kratom.
It has long been used to alleviate aches and pains, but it may even have stimulant effects or sedative effects depending on the type of kratom you’re using. All kratom works the same, though, interacting with the brain’s opioid receptors.
The two primary active compounds responsible for kratom’s effects are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, which are also alkaloids. However, they evoke drastically different responses than the alkaloids found in kanna, as we’ll explore below.
Kratom sounds like the clear winner given its clear advantage in versatility, but this comes at a cost. The plant’s opioid-like properties are associated with a heightened risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
It’s also important to note that kratom is heavily regulated, and is actually illegal in certain states and counties here in the U.S. At any rate, those who have access to it can enjoy it in its powdered form, brewed into a tea, or taken via capsules/gummies.
Is Kanna Like Kratom?
In looking at kratom vs kanna you might see some overlap. This begs the question, is kanna like kratom? In some ways, yes. They both contain alkaloids that evoke effects, and they can each be used to promote relaxation.
They’re also both looked at as alternatives to pharmaceuticals for a number of different ailments. But that’s where the similarities end for these botanicals.
They interact with different pathways in the brain and in this sense can stimulate slightly different effects. The biggest difference we want to highlight between kanna vs kratom, though, comes down to safety and legality. So, let’s dive into our side-by-side comparison below.
Kanna vs Kratom: Key Differences to Consider
While each of these herbs has its place in the realm of self-care, you’ll see why many users consider kanna to be the better choice. Learn more about kratom vs kanna below.
Active Compounds
All of the differences between kanna vs kratom can be traced back to the active compounds they contain. Sure, they’re both loaded with potent alkaloids - but the specific alkaloids vary greatly.
Kanna’s mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol alkaloids interact with serotonin receptors to regulate mood, alleviate anxiety, and bring out an overall sense of relaxation.
On the other hand, kratom contains mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine. These alkaloids bind to the opioid receptors in the brain to produce their own array of effects. You might feel as if kratom is a stimulant at low doses, whereas it produces sedating and even analgesic properties similar to opioids at higher doses.
Effects on Mood and Energy
Speaking of effects, that’s really what matters most in choosing between kanna vs kratom (aside from safety, of course). The key takeaway here is that kratom can be more versatile since the dosage, strain, and vein dictate whether it behaves as a stimulant or sedative.
A small amount of kratom can provide a lift in energy and mood, whereas higher doses lead to deep relaxation, sedation, and pain relief. In contrast, kanna tends to provide the same effects across the board.
It’s interaction with serotonin receptors leave users feeling more at ease, socially open, and overall, balanced emotionally. You might feel chill, or even a subtle hint of euphoria in some cases. So for gentle, sustained mood support, stick with kanna.
Other Potential Benefits
We mentioned earlier how kanna can even improve cognitive function in some cases, helping to turn off a racing mind so you can focus on the task at hand. It’s a great way to find a sense of mental clarity. It even has the potential to support a better night’s sleep in the right doses.
Kratom brings its own unique set of benefits to the conversation, though. Aside from mood and energy enhancement, it may be able to alleviate aches and pains.
This is why some use it as an alternative to opioids, and we’ve also seen it used as a way to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms - though we’re hesitant to give it any real credit there without scientific evidence to back it up.
Side Effects to Watch Out For
This is the most important section in our comparison of kratom vs kanna. One has a lower risk profile and may be well-tolerated than the other, and that’s kanna. Sure, there are some mild kanna side effects you may want to be aware of - headaches and digestive discomfort.
But, these are fairly rare and easy to address with dosage and consumption method adjustments. Meanwhile, kratom is loaded with safety concerns, including nausea, constipation, dizziness, and more importantly, dependency.
Making kratom a part of your regular regimen introduces the risk of addiction and in turn, withdrawal symptoms if you try to taper back on your usage. This goes back to how it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors.
And, this leads us to the next and final point of comparison we want to draw between kanna vs kratom - legality and regulation.
Legality and Regulation
Kanna is not regulated the way kratom is. You can buy it online right now at Tabs or potentially find it locally. This is because it tends to be seen as gentler with less risk of dependency.
Kratom is banned in several states like Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and even certain cities/counties like San Diego, California. It’s also illegal to purchase in Australia, Denmark, Finland, and countless other countries.
There’s a reason for that. The addictive properties and major side effects associated with kratom are real concerns. That being said, the choice between kratom vs kanna should be fairly straightforward.
Should You Try Mixing Kanna and Kratom Together or Stick With One?
Now, we want to talk about one more thing before wrapping up our guide to kanna vs kratom. Does it make sense to try mixing kanna and kratom together? Or, should you stick with one or the other?
When it Makes Sense to Combine Kanna and Kratom
There are certainly circumstances where kratom and kava could go hand in hand. You’ll even find specially formulated kratom and kava products for this reason.
Since kanna is known for its uplifting, stress-reducing properties and kratom can provide energy at lower doses or deep relaxation at higher doses, some people experiment with combining them to find the sweet spot.
For example, someone using kratom to manage aches and pains might take kanna alongside it to keep their emotions in check without feeling sluggish or sedated.
We’ve also seen people use kanna to ease the mental fog that sometimes comes with kratom’s effects, keeping themselves alert throughout the workday or in social settings.
That being said, this is where the potential benefits end, and the risks begin.
Why You May Want to Stick With Just Kanna
At the end of the day we cannot get behind kratom because of its reputation for causing dependency. We couldn’t encourage you to try something you could become addicted to in good faith, even if there’s a chance it can improve your life in some way.
Because the truth is, kanna can do most of what kratom does without any of the opioid-like concerns. It tends to be considered safer, gentler, and it’s legal across the country.
If you’re interested in finding synergy between kanna and other proven, risk-free ingredients, there are powerful formulations containing kanna right here waiting to be discovered at Tabs.
Shop Tabs Today!
Tabs has developed an array of products containing kanna and other ingredients to elevate all of life’s most important moments - whether it’s intimate encounters or social gatherings, or even bedtime! Here are some of our most popular solutions:
- Sex chocolate: Arousal-enhancing chocolate infused with kanna, maca, and epimedium to bring you closer to your partner and help you both enjoy better sex.
- Sleep Tabs: A carefully balanced blend of kanna, valerian root, saffron, and melatonin to support deep, restful sleep without the grogginess the next day.
- Mood Tabs: Kanna, theobromine, and caffeine (from organic green tea) work in synergy to elevate your mood, melt away stress, and promote clarity without sedation.
- Stress Tabs: Designed to help you unwind by tapping into the effects of kanna, L-theanine, and theobromine so you can safely find your zen.
All our products are crafted ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients and the formulations are brought to life right here in the USA. The sublingual delivery method makes it quick and easy to find relief. And with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose.
Our blog has additional resources on topics like the ideal kanna extract dosage for different goals, how long does kanna last, and other comparison guides like theobromine vs caffeine or L theanine vs ashwagandha.
At this point, though, the only thing left to do is see for yourself what a difference kanna can make in your life. Order today at Tabs and enhance all of life’s moments!
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of Kratom vs Kanna
That does it for our deep dive into the differences between kanna vs kratom. Each has its appeal, and they serve similar purposes to a certain extent. But the way they work is distinct - and this is why kanna is the superior choice for the vast majority of people.
It may be a safer way to relax and unwind, ease anxiety in social settings, and foster stronger connections with the people who matter most. You won’t have to worry about harsh side effects or worse, dependence and withdrawal.
So why take the risk when potentially better solutions are just a few clicks away at Tabs? Tap into the power of kanna and other proven ingredients today and upgrade your self-care routine!
Disclaimer: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and these statements haven't been evaluated by the FDA.