Kanna as an Alcohol Alternative: What to Know Before You Try It
A kanna drink can be a non-alcoholic option at the table. Here is what that does and does not mean.
Search interest in kanna as an alcohol alternative has grown alongside a broader shift in how Americans drink. A kanna drink can sit on the table where a beer or cocktail would, and one labeled 0.0% or alcohol-free contains none. That is the full extent of what we can honestly say about the "alternative" part. This post explains the rest: what the research does show, what it does not, and how to read a can.
A kanna drink labeled 0.0% or alcohol-free contains no alcohol, so it cannot cause alcohol-related effects; one labeled only non-alcoholic can contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume in the US [12]. Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) has been studied in small trials of healthy adults [2][3], but we found no studies on kanna and drinking behavior, and kanna is not a proven replacement for alcohol or a treatment for any condition [4]. Check the label for the kanna amount and other actives.
What does "alcohol alternative" mean here?
It means a drink you can choose instead of an alcoholic one, nothing more.
We use the phrase narrowly. A drink containing zero alcohol cannot cause the effects ethanol does, and in the US "non-alcoholic" alone can still mean less than 0.5% alcohol by volume [12]. The NIAAA, for example, notes that alcohol can make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination [5]. Beyond that, "alternative" does not mean the drink feels the same, delivers the same social lift, or affects anyone's drinking habits. We found no research on that last point. Our kanna vs alcohol post compares the two in detail.
Why are people looking for one?
Drinking is at a record low in US polling, and the health message around alcohol has changed.
Gallup's July 2026 survey of 1,200 adults found 54% drink alcohol, matching 2025 as the lowest since tracking began in 1939 and down from 62% in 2023. Fifty-one percent said having one or two drinks a day is bad for health, and 17% said they had consumed non-alcoholic beer, wine or spirits instead of an alcoholic drink in the past year. Among drinkers who had tried them, 38% said they drink more of these than before [6]. That is a phone poll with roughly a 4-point margin of error.
On the public-health side, the CDC says drinking less is better for your health than drinking more and that you can lower your risks by drinking less or choosing not to drink [8]. The WHO states there is no form of alcohol consumption that is risk-free [9]. People reading that may simply want something else in their glass. That is a reasonable thing to want, and it does not need a health claim attached.
What does the kanna research show?
A few small, short trials in healthy people, mostly using one branded extract, with mixed results.
In a 2013 imaging study of 16 healthy volunteers, a single 25 mg dose of the Zembrin extract reduced amygdala reactivity to fearful faces [3]. A 2020 pair of studies in 20 volunteers found lower self-reported anxiety before a simulated public-speaking task in one study and no treatment effect in the other [2]. Several of these trials involve authors affiliated with the extract's owner, and a 2026 review called the overall evidence "mixed" [10]. These studies measured specific lab outcomes. They did not test kanna as a substitute for anything, and they did not test drinking behavior or kanna combined with alcohol. For the full picture, see kanna benefits.
We also searched PubMed for kanna, sceletium, mesembrine and Zembrin alongside alcohol or ethanol terms. Nothing studied kanna in relation to drinking behavior or alcohol use [4]. So there is no evidence either way, and we leave it there.
What should I check on a kanna drink label?
Look at the kanna amount, the extract type, the other active ingredients and whether it says it is alcohol-free.
| Label item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Kanna per serving (mg) | Studies used 8 mg and 25 mg per day of one standardized extract [2][3][11]. Amounts of other extracts are not interchangeable. |
| Extract type | "Zembrin" is the branded extract used in most trials. Many labels do not state a standardization. |
| Other actives | Some drinks add kava, caffeine, L-theanine or lion's mane. Each brings its own cautions. |
| Alcohol statement | In the US, "non-alcoholic" can mean less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. If you want a drink with no alcohol, look for 0.0% or "alcohol-free" [12]. |
| Sugar and calories | Varies widely from zero-sugar to full-sugar sodas. |
We track these details for each product on our kanna drink ranking. Disclosure: kannadrinks.com is published by Psilly Goose, whose Silly is a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drink with 35 mg of kanna and 3,000 mg of lion's mane per can, and we rank it alongside the competition.
What should I realistically expect?
Expect a drink, not a stand-in for alcohol's effects.
The kanna trials above used measured doses of a specific extract under controlled conditions, and the outcomes were small and specific. A canned drink with 15 or 35 mg of kanna of unstated standardization is not the same as those studies, and nothing in the research tells you how it will feel at a party. Reports online vary, and brand descriptions such as "uplifting" are marketing language, not findings. If you try one, start with a single can, pay attention to how you respond, and keep it separate from alcohol. Some people find the taste, the ritual of holding a nice drink and the absence of alcohol are the whole appeal, and that is a perfectly good reason on its own.
Who should skip kanna?
Anyone on serotonergic medicines, and anyone pregnant or nursing, should talk to a doctor first.
WebMD lists possible interactions with MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, triptans and St. John's wort, says interactions are not fully understood, and notes it is not known how sceletium could affect pregnancy [1]. Common side effects it lists are headache and upset stomach [1]. It also says there is not enough research to know whether sceletium interacts with alcohol [1], which is why we advise against combining them. Read can you mix kanna and alcohol. Full detail: is kanna safe.
What other non-alcoholic options exist?
Plenty, and several have nothing to do with kanna.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits, sparkling teas, shrubs, alcohol-free bitters and soda and adaptogen sodas are all common. Gallup's 17% figure above refers to non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits specifically [6]. We keep this site focused on kanna, but for a broader menu see best alcohol alternatives and sober curious drinks. If you are comparing plants, kanna vs kava covers a common pairing.
Where can I get help with drinking?
SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357, free, confidential, 24/7, English and Spanish [7].
It gives referrals to local treatment, support groups and community organizations. If you are worried about your own or someone else's drinking, call or text your ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U). A kanna drink is not a substitute for that kind of support.
This page is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Kanna products are not intended to diagnose or address any disease or health condition.
References
- WebMD. Sceletium: Uses, side effects, interactions. webmd.com
- Reay J, et al. Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) ameliorates experimentally induced anxiety in healthy volunteers. Hum Psychopharmacol 2020;35(6):1-7. PubMed
- Terburg D, et al. Acute effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a dual 5-HT reuptake and PDE4 inhibitor, in the human amygdala and its connection to the hypothalamus. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013;38(13):2708-16. PubMed
- PubMed search run October 28, 2026: (sceletium OR kanna OR mesembrine OR zembrin) AND (alcohol OR ethanol OR alcoholic), 47 results, none studying kanna in relation to drinking or alcohol combinations. PubMed search
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol's Effects on the Body. niaaa.nih.gov
- Gallup. Americans' Drinking Remains at Record Low (August 20, 2026). news.gallup.com
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Helpline. samhsa.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Alcohol Use. cdc.gov
- World Health Organization. Alcohol (fact sheet). who.int
- de Jong M, et al. Mesembryanthemum tortuosum and Zembrin: mixed evidence from in vivo animal and clinical studies on their antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Planta Med 2026;92(8):806-823. PubMed
- Nell H, et al. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) in healthy adults. J Altern Complement Med 2013;19(11):898-904. PubMed
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Malt Beverage Alcohol Content labeling (non-alcoholic: "contains less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume"; "alcohol free" only for beverages containing no alcohol). ttb.gov
Frequently asked questions
Is kanna an alcohol alternative?
A kanna drink can be a non-alcoholic beverage choice; in the US, "non-alcoholic" can mean less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, so look for 0.0% or "alcohol-free" if you want none [12]. That is different from saying kanna replicates alcohol or changes drinking habits. We found no studies of kanna and drinking behavior [4].
Does kanna feel like alcohol?
We cannot say, because no study compares them. Kanna trials measured specific outcomes such as amygdala reactivity and self-reported anxiety in small groups of healthy adults [2][3]. Alcohol affects thinking and coordination through ethanol [5].
Can a kanna drink help me cut back on alcohol?
We do not make that claim and found no evidence for it. If you are concerned about your drinking, SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential referrals 24/7 [7].
How many Americans choose non-alcoholic drinks?
In Gallup's July 2026 poll, 17% of US adults said they had consumed non-alcoholic beer, wine or spirits instead of an alcoholic drink in the past year [6].
Who should avoid kanna drinks?
People taking SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics, antipsychotics, triptans or St. John's wort should ask a doctor first, and so should anyone who is pregnant or nursing [1]. See is kanna safe.