Video Episode | Kanna | Can This South African Succulent Make You a Better Dancer?
Jan 2, 2024
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The podcast discusses Kanna, a South African succulent used by the KhoiSan people for dancing ceremonies and hunting. They explore its history, dosing, and serotonergic activity. The podcast also covers sublingual administration, pharmacokinetics, and pro-social benefits of Kanna. Topics include cultivating Kanna, cutting and dosing tablets, neurotransmitter synthesis, and cultural significance. They touch on supercritical coriander and holy basil extracts, and personalizing supplement stacks.
Kanna is a succulent plant historically used for mood enhancement, increased energy, and social lubrication.
Kanna extract is best taken sublingually for rapid absorption of alkaloids and prolonged effects.
Kanna's traditional use by indigenous tribes in South Africa for dancing ceremonies and hunting aids has diminished with cultural shifts.
The key alkaloid in Kanna, mazembrine, acts as a monoamine releasing compound, leading to enhanced mood and overall well-being.
Deep dives
Traditional and Ecological Importance of Kana
Kana is a succulent plant that has been used for thousands of years by the Koi San people of South Africa. The Koi San people, considered one of the oldest tribes on the planet, inhabited the Kuru Succulent Biome, a region known for its rich biodiversity. Unfortunately, the succulent plants in this region are at risk due to climate change and high demand for succulents for decorative purposes. Kana, although not rare, is also found in this region and requires mindful harvesting to preserve the environment. The history of Kana use reveals that it was extensively cultivated in the past, with different cultivars being utilized. However, it is believed that the use of one specific cultivar led to its eradication. While wild Kana is still present, supplementing with Kana involves using cultivated plants.
Sublingual Administration and Effects of Kana
Kana extract is taken in the form of scored tablets that are dissolved under the tongue for sublingual administration. This method allows for rapid absorption of the alkaloids found in Kana, such as mazembrine, mizambrenone, and delta-7 mizambrenone. By taking smaller doses of Kana tablets at frequent intervals, the concentration of alkaloids in the system can be gradually increased, leading to interesting and prolonged effects. Sublingual administration provides quicker onset of effects compared to oral ingestion. The effects of Kana include mood enhancement, increased energy, and social lubrication, making it a popular choice for social activities like dancing and music appreciation.
Traditional and Historical Context of Kana Use
The traditional use of Kana for uplifting and mood-boosting purposes dates back thousands of years. It was used by indigenous tribes in South Africa during dancing ceremonies and as a hunting aid. The historical documentation of Kana use by European explorers highlights its importance in traditional practices. Fermentation played a significant role in preparing Kana, and its effects were said to induce trance-like states during ceremonies. However, with the impacts of colonialism and cultural shifts, the traditional use of Kana has diminished. Presently, the exploration of Kana's effects and its modern use offer insights into its potential benefits.
Neurotransmitter Effects and Mechanisms of Kana
The key alkaloid in Kana, mazembrine, acts as a monoamine releasing compound, specifically increasing the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (V-MAT2) activity. This leads to the packaging and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and even GABA. By enhancing monoamine release, Kana exhibits uplifting and pleasurable effects. The precise mechanisms of action contribute to enhanced mood, increased energy, and overall well-being. The combination of traditional use, ecological significance, and neurotransmitter impacts make Kana an intriguing botanical.
Importance of Priming and Upregulation in the Use of Kanna
The podcast episode discusses the importance of priming and upregulation in the use of Kanna. It explains that Kanna works well due to its ability to upregulate certain mechanisms in the brain, such as the v-mat2 transporter. This upregulation occurs rapidly, leading to acute effects. The podcast also touches on the priming effect of Kanna, where regular use can lead to enhanced and more stimulating experiences. The speaker shares personal experiences with Kanna, including different dosages and the impact of upregulating the v-mat2 mechanism.
Extracts and Cultivars in the Effectiveness of Kanna
The podcast delves into the different extracts and cultivars of Kanna and their effectiveness. It highlights the discovery of a unique extract that combines high levels of misembrine, Delta seven misembrine, and other compounds. The speaker discusses the significance of fermentation in Kanna cultivation and the potential effects on alkaloid levels. Furthermore, the podcast explores the role of cultivars in determining the synthesis of specific compounds and how it may influence the overall effects of Kanna.
The Serotoninergic Mechanism of Kanna
The podcast investigates the serotoninergic mechanism of Kanna and its impact on neurotransmitter release. It emphasizes that Kanna is not solely a serotoninergic compound but influences other neurotransmitters as well, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. The speaker explains that the balance of neurotransmitters contributes to pleasant feelings and suggests that Kanna's unique effects stem from a combination of serotonin release and inhibition of the serotonin transporter.
Various Ways of Using Kanna and Potential Settings for Enjoyment
The podcast explores the traditional and modern ways of using Kanna and the potential settings for its enjoyment. It discusses traditional practices such as fermenting the whole plant and consuming its juices, as well as chewing, snorting, and smoking Kanna. The speaker mentions the potential benefits of taking Kanna in social settings, enhancing empathy and facilitating better communication. Additionally, the podcast touches on anecdotal experiences of Kanna use in pre-workout routines and its potential appetite-suppressing effects.
Video Episode | Kanna | Can This South African Succulent Make You a Better Dancer?
Kanna is a unique succulent plant, originating from South Africa. It has been used as a mood and energy boosting botanical for thousands of years by the KhoiSan people of South Africa, for dancing ceremonies and as a hunting aid.
In this month's podcast episode, Emiel (Nootropics Depot Product Specialist) and Erika discuss the history of Kanna, its pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of action, and how Kanna provides a distinctly uplifting effect from its serotonergic activity.
Tune in to learn about dosing Kanna, taking Kanna at night clubs in Amsterdam, mesembrine, mesembrenone, and Delta 7 mesembrenone, and why you should try Kanna for its pro-social benefits.
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Buy Full Spectrum Kanna Tablets from Nootropics Depot
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Read Nootropics Depot's Blog on Kanna
https://nootropicsdepot.com/kanna-lift-mood-and-lower-stress
Podcast Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:10 Dosing Kanna
09:40 Stimulating Effects of Kanna
11:50 Fat or Water Soluble? Bioavailbility of Kanna
17:30 Oral & Sublingual Administration
18:53 Pharmacokinetics - T Max and C Max
34:00 Caffeine Usage and Concentration
36:00 Dynamax Pharmicokinetics
38:45 Mood, Focus, Energizing, Pro-Social Effects of Kanna
43:00 Traditional Uses of Kanna, Amanita Muscaria, Kava
50:00 Neuroscience of Kanna - Neurotransmitter Releaser
53:07 Mesembrine acts as a VMAT2 Upregulator
1:03:40 Testing Mesembrine Content of Kanna Extracts
1:14:10 Cultivars of Kanna - Sceletium tortuosum
1:14:54 What Sets Nootropics Depot’s Kanna Extract Apart
1:18:22 Beta Testing and Initial Bio-assaying
1:25:31 Kanna as a Subtle Appetite Suppresant
1:33:11 Emiel & Erika’s Current Occasional Supplements
1:47:07 Emiel & Erika’s Daily Supplement Stack
1:57:24 Conclusion
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