Sceletium tortuosum dosage, also known as kanna, is a plant native to southern Africa that has been used for centuries for a litany of therapeutic reasons, including as a mood-altering herb. Kanna is believed to produce euphoria, relaxation, and stress relief in humans at high doses. It is also said to suppress hunger and thirst. Its psychoactive properties are attributed to the alkaloids mesembrenone and mesembrenol, which are the main active compounds found in the plant.

These plant alkaloids have been shown to have anxiolytic, sedative, and antidepressant effects in animal studies, and may act as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Additionally, mesembrenone and mesembrenol act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, meaning they increase the amount of serotonin available in the brain by blocking its reabsorption. This is similar to the action of some prescription medications, such as SSRIs and SNRIs.

Sceletium Tortuosum Dosage: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Benefits

In one study, researchers found that mesembrenone significantly improved key cognitive domains of the test battery, namely cognitive set flexibility and executive function. The latter is associated with impulse control, decision-making, and strategy formation. It is important in promoting healthy cognitive function and in preventing the development of disorders like ADHD and ADD. (Blokland, 2012) Sceletium has also been shown to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and block CB1 receptors, resulting in a sedative and anxiolytic effect in animals. (Lubbe, 2010) In addition to these beneficial effects, mesembrenone has been shown to reduce glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis in adrenocortical cells, which may be important in the treatment of chronic stress and inflammatory diseases like diabetes and obesity.

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