Kanna vs. kratom
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Kanna and kratom are both plants that show up in alcohol-free cans, but they come from opposite sides of the world and people reach for them for different reasons. In short: kanna is the social one, and kratom depends on the color.
| Kanna | Kratom | |
|---|---|---|
| The plant | A low-growing succulent from South Africa | A tree in the coffee family from Southeast Asia |
| What's in the can | Kanna extract in a fruit-flavored sparkling drink | Brewed leaf (elixirs) or extract (seltzers) |
| How people describe it | Lighter mood, easier conversation | White: bright. Green: in between. Red: slow evenings |
| Taste | Mildly green; hides easily behind fruit | Bitter on its own; canned versions are fruit-forward |
| Caffeine | None | None, unless the brand adds it |
| Best for | Parties, dinners, game nights | Mornings (white), social plans (green), evenings (red) |
How they feel, side by side
People describe kanna as a light mood lift: chattier, more open, without the heavy body feeling of kava. Kratom is less one thing. White kratom is the one people pick instead of coffee, red is the one people pick for slow evenings, and green sits in the middle. What the kratom colors mean goes deeper.
Which should you choose?
- For a party or dinner: kanna, or green kratom if you'd rather stay a little brighter.
- For the afternoon slump: white kratom.
- For a slow night in: red kratom, or kava.
Can you drink kratom and kanna together?
They're usually drunk on different occasions rather than together. Both change how you feel, so they stack; get to know each one on its own first. If you take any medication, check with a doctor, especially before trying kanna. Don't mix either with alcohol.
Who should skip kanna
Never combine kanna with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other serotonergic medications. Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing.
Not sure which mood you're after? The 60-second drink finder picks a can for you.
Related: Kanna vs. kava · Kava vs. kratom vs. kanna · What is kratom? · Kanna drinks: which to try