Kanna vs. Kava: Two Different Kinds of Calm

If you have spent time in a kava bar, you have probably heard someone ask about kanna. If you have been researching natural relaxation options, you have likely run into both.

They sound similar. They are not. Here is the honest breakdown.

What Is Kava?

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a root native to the Pacific Islands with thousands of years of ceremonial use among Polynesian cultures.

Key facts about kava:

•  Origin: Pacific Islands, including Fiji, Vanuatu, Hawaii, and Tonga

•  Active compounds: Kavalactones

•  Mechanism: Interacts primarily with GABA receptors in the brain

•  Traditional use: Ceremonial drink for community gathering, stress relief, and social connection

•  Effect: Body relaxation, mild euphoria, numbing of the mouth and throat

GABA is the same receptor pathway involved in alcohol's relaxing effect, which is why kava produces a recognizable body heaviness and social ease. At standard doses it is not intoxicating. At higher doses it can produce noticeable sedation.

Note: Kava is not permitted for sale in the state of Louisiana.

What Is Kanna?

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a South African succulent with centuries of use by the indigenous Khoisan people.

Key facts about kanna:

•  Origin: Arid regions near Cape Town, South Africa

•  Active compounds: Mesembrine alkaloids

•  Mechanism: Natural serotonin reuptake modulation

•  Traditional use: Mood lift, social ease, and stress relief

•  Effect: Calm clarity, emotionally lighter, mentally present, grounded but not sedated

Where kava works primarily on GABA, kanna works primarily on serotonin. The experience is different: less physical sedation, more emotional lift. People describe kanna as producing a clear, elevated, present feeling, uplifted without the body heaviness kava can create at higher doses.

Kanna vs. Kava: Side by Side

Kanna should not be combined with SSRIs or MAOIs. Consult a healthcare provider if you are on prescription medication.

When to Reach for Each

They are not competitors. Many kava enthusiasts also appreciate kanna, and many kava bars carry kanna products alongside kava for exactly this reason. They occupy related but distinct positions in the zero-proof social experience.

Swigs Float: Where Kanna Meets Calm

Feelz Swigs Float is the closest Swigs SKU to the kava experience, designed for calm, unwinding, and restoration. Its full stack includes:

•  Organic Chaga Mushroom, 250mg

•  Reishi Mushroom, 250mg

•  Sea Buckthorn Powder, 150mg

•  Glycine, 150mg

•  L-Theanine, 100mg

•  Kanna Extract, 50mg

•  Magnesium Citrate, 100mg

•  Passion Fruit Extract, 100mg

1,150mg of active ingredients. No CBD. No THC. No controlled substances. No sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take kanna and kava together?

Many people do, particularly in kava bar settings. There is no known interaction, but because both affect the central nervous system, starting with smaller amounts of each individually before combining is a sensible approach.

Is kanna legal everywhere?

Kanna is a plant (Sceletium tortuosum) sold as a dietary supplement ingredient, not a pharmaceutical drug. It is not a federally controlled substance in the U.S. However, kanna is restricted in Louisiana and products containing kanna may not be legally sold or distributed there. Laws and regulations can vary by state and locality, so please check your local rules before purchasing or using kanna products.

Does kanna get you high?

No. Kanna is mildly psychoactive, meaning it gently shifts your mental and emotional state, but it does not produce intoxication or a high. Most people describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more present.

Is kava the same as kratom?

No. Kava and kratom are two completely different plants with different mechanisms and legal statuses. Kava has a long safety record and is widely legal. Kratom has a more complex regulatory history and is restricted in several US states.

Key Takeaway

Kanna and kava are both plant-based tools for a more intentional relationship with how you feel, without alcohol, without a high, and without a hangover. They work differently and serve different moments. Knowing which one you are reaching for, and why, is what turns a choice into a ritual.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.