Combining Kanna with Weed or CBD: Should You Do It?

Kanna, weed and CBD: a heavenly trio. While there are some similarities in the effects of all three, each offers unique benefits. Are they better together or as solo artists?

It's well known that weed contains CBD. It is, after all, a cannabinoid. That said, it's also powerful in its own right. The wildcard here is kanna, a widely-used, but lesser-known psychoactive herb. Despite its name, kanna is actually unrelated to cannabis. Many people who use the two separately might be wondering if it's a good idea to combine them. Well, if you've got questions, we've got answers!

CBD, WEED AND KANNA: THEIR PROS, CONS AND EFFECTS

Each of our star substances has its own unique profile and personality. Here's a quick overview of their effects. Then we'll get into possible combinations.

WEED

Let's start with good ol' ganja. The lead singer in our trio, weed has a special place in the hearts, minds, and lungs of millions the world over. In fact, cannabis has been used across numerous cultures for thousands of years. Its effects vary from strain to strain.

Weed's main psychoactive compound is THC, though it contains a host of other cannabinoids, such as CBD, CBG, CBN, and THCV. Their combined properties, together with other compounds, produce what's known as the entourage effect, meaning they act synergistically to produce a unique, holistic experience.

This can result in heightened sensory perception, a feeling of wellbeing, and an overwhelming urge to eat your body weight in snacks (aka the munchies). Certain effects are associated more heavily with different subspecies.

Weed can also kill your motivation, which might be a con if you're trying to be productive. Again, effects are largely dependent on which strain you're using, as well as your own general physiology and head space. That's why it's always a good idea to do your research before sparking up.

CBD

CBD is like weed's overachieving little sister: annoyingly smart, but still one of the cool kids. While it's found in cannabis, CBD is often extracted on its own. It's non-psychotropic, and won't get you high, which depending on your needs, could be a pro or a con. CBD also has calming properties that may temper the effects of THC, resulting in more relaxation and less potential for paranoia.

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KANNA

Kanna is relatively new to the party, at least in the west. It's an extract of the Sceletium tortuosum plant, a succulent native to South Africa. Kanna has been used as a sacred plant by indigenous cultures there for hundreds of years. More recently, it’s become popular outside of Africa as a supplement for boosting mood. At higher doses it induces mild euphoria and may even increase cognitive performance.

It contains alkaloids that act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, increasing levels of this euphoria-inducing neurotransmitter in the brain. It's also an inhibitor of the enzyme PDE4. PDE4 inhibitors are known to increase cognitive function, including improving long-term memory.

All that said, let’s come back to our main query—what happens when you combine kanna with weed and CBD?

COMBINING KANNA WITH WEED OR CBD

So, can you combine kanna with weed or CBD? The answer is "yes". Should you combine kanna with weed or CBD? The answer is "it's up to you". Here's some info you might need to make a decision.

Taking kanna with weed can enhance the boost to your mood. Weed may also increase the mild visual disturbances some people experience with kanna, leading to an overall more psychedelic experience. Since kanna induces relaxation, it can help dampen any anxiety cannabis might cause. This relaxing effect will also be enhanced by CBD. Since kanna is a mild stimulant, combining it with CBD shouldn't make you sleepy. Instead, you may feel energized, grounded and serenely focused.

Importantly, when combining kanna with either weed or CBD, be conservative with dosage (at least at the beginning). The pairing is likely to potentiate the effects of both, so you'll want to take less of each than you would on their own. Also, pay attention to your consumption methods.

THE VERDICT: A POSSIBLE SUPERGROUP

Kanna, weed and CBD are all superstars in their own right. Together, they have the potential to create a new, enhanced experience. But, as with music, it's all down to your personal taste. If you decide to try kanna with either weed or CBD, start with a little bit and go from there. Hopefully, you'll love what comes out of the collaboration. If you're feeling hesitant, don't push yourself. It's always okay to stick with the classics.

Luke Sumpter

With a BSc (Hons) degree in Clinical Health Sciences and a passion for growing plants, Luke Sumpter has worked as a professional journalist and writer at the intersection of cannabis and science for the past 7 years.

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