Can Kanna Help with Social Anxiety? Reddit Users Weigh In
If you’ve ever found yourself googling “natural remedies for social anxiety,” you’ve probably come across kanna. But does it actually work?
We dug through Reddit to find what real people are saying—and the responses might surprise you.
What Reddit Users Say About Kanna for Social Anxiety
“Kanna is especially effective for the kind of anxiety triggered by sudden stress … gives good energy without jitteriness.” – Reddit user (source)
“It greatly increases sociability and reduces social anxiety specifically. … For social anxiety, kanna.” – Reddit user (source)
“It’s definitely a very nice social lubricant! … I feel much more social at the gym.” – Reddit user (source)
“Kanna noticeably increases my social interactions.” – Reddit user (source)
“Kanna’s anxiolytic properties help reduce feelings of nervousness, making social situations more comfortable.” – Reddit user (source)
So, Is There Any Science Behind It?
Yes—kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) contains several alkaloids known to affect mood and anxiety, most notably:
Mesembrine – A serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) that can create a calm, elevated mood.
Mesembrenone – Believed to enhance focus and reduce emotional reactivity.
These alkaloids interact with serotonin and potentially dopamine systems, which may explain the boost in confidence and reduced social fear many users report. You can see what neuroscientist Andrew Huberman said about kanna here.
While kanna isn’t a magic fix, the number of Reddit users sharing real social wins is hard to ignore. With science-backed compounds like mesembrine and mesembrenone in the mix, it’s easy to see why this South African herb is gaining traction.
Want to try kanna for yourself? Check out the best-selling products below:
