July 22, 2025 | By Richard Weisner

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Kanna: The Ancient Mood Booster Making a Modern Comeback

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent plant native to South Africa, used by the indigenous Khoisan people for centuries as a natural mood enhancer, stress reliever, and cognitive stimulant. Traditionally chewed, brewed, or smoked before long journeys or important rituals, Kanna was considered sacred—a plant that gave courage and clarity without sedation.

Today, Kanna is gaining attention in the West as a legal, non-addictive alternative to SSRIs and synthetic nootropics. At its core is mesembrine, a natural serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) that elevates mood, reduces anxiety, and enhances focus—without the crash or dependency.

Kanna supplement Manufacturing

Potential Benefits of Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)

  • Elevates mood by increasing serotonin levels (via SRI activity)*

  • Reduces anxiety without sedation*

  • Enhances focus and cognitive clarity*

  • May support social interaction and reduce stress responses*

  • Works synergistically with adaptogens and nootropics*

Clinical studies have shown that Kanna extracts like Zembrin® can reduce amygdala reactivity (the brain’s fear center) while improving executive function and working memory.

Market Outlook

  • The global nootropics market is expected to reach $29.2 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 13.2%.

  • Mood support supplements are one of the fastest-growing categories post-pandemic, with consumers seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

  • Kanna’s benefits align with top search terms like anxiety relief, natural antidepressant, focus without caffeine, and plant-based calm.

With legal status in most countries and a rapidly growing wellness market, Kanna is poised for explosive growth—especially in stacks.

The Ultimate Kanna Stack for Gummies or Capsules

Green Star Labs specializes in developing cutting-edge stacks using rare actives like Kanna alongside top-tier nutraceuticals. From gummies to capsules to functional beverages, we ensure your formulation hits both efficacy and compliance standards.

Ingredient

Kanna Extract

L-Theanine

Rhodiola Rosea

Lion’s Mane Extract

Magnesium Glycinate

Vitamin B6

Piperine (Black Pepper Extract)

5-HTP

GABA

Dose

25 mg

200 mg

150 mg

500 mg

100 mg

25 mg

10 mg

25 mg

50 mg

Function

Natural SRI, mood upliftment, calm focus

Synergizes with Kanna for relaxed clarity

Adaptogen for stress resilience

Neurogenesis, long-term cognitive support

Nervous system relaxation

Neurotransmitter synthesis (serotonin, dopamine)

Boosts absorption and bioavailability

Boosts serotonin precursor levels

Additional calming support

Why This Stack Works

  • Fast-acting calm from Kanna + L-Theanine

  • Stress resilience from adaptogens like Rhodiola

  • Mood & mental clarity from Lion’s Mane + B6

  • Smooth delivery enhanced by Piperine

  • Legal, non-drowsy, and non-habit forming

Perfect for those who want Zen-like calm without sedation, motivation without stimulants, and mood support without pharmaceuticals.

Product Opportunities

  • Focus & Calm Gummies

  • Mood Capsules

  • Social Support Chews

  • Anxiety Relief Shots

  • Cognitive Clarity + Stress Blend

How Green Star Labs Can Help

Green Star Labs specializes in custom gummy formulation with bioavailability-enhancing strategies like emulsification, micronization, and dual-layer gummies. Whether you’re targeting men’s health, sexual wellness, or vitality stacks—we can help you craft a standout Kanna stack gummy tailored to your brand identity.

  • Custom Formulations using clinically-backed ingredients with optimal bioavailability
  • Delivery Formats: capsules, powders, tinctures, gummies, and water-soluble shots
  • Low MOQ options and flexible pricing models
  • In-House R&D and Regulatory Guidance for claims, packaging, and compliance
  • Manufacturing in NSF, cGMP, and FDA-registered facility

Green Star Labs can help you create a standout product backed by science and manufactured to the highest standards.

Let’s Get Started Today!

If an innovative Kanna Gummy Supplement formulation is a good fit for your wellness brand, request a quote now to take the first step to making your vision a reality.

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Richard Weisner

About Richard Weisner

My goal is to help businesses scale and succeed by offering personalized support, industry knowledge, and access to cutting-edge manufacturing technology. Let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to bring your product ideas to life!

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FDA Disclaimer: Content published in our Nutraceutical Market Trends blog is for educational purposes and is not intended to represent medical advice. Our audience is B2B brand owners and customers who are interested in developing innovative nutraceutical products. Content that may indicate specific health claims for ingredients or delivery systems has not been evaluated by the FDA. Dietary supplement products manufactured by Green Star Labs, Inc. are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Green Star Labs Equipment and Capabilites

custom gummies manufacturing

Gummy Full-Scale Starchless Manufacturing

  • Pectin Based – Vegan, Sugar and Sugar-Free custom formulations
  • Standard 4.5g Squares and Custom Molds
  • Multiple production lines – 100,000 to 500,000 Pieces per Shift @ 4.5g
  • Examples: Lion’s Mane/Cordyceps Focus Gummies, Melatonin-less Sleep Gummies, CBD Relax and Revive Gummies, Apple Cider Vinegar Gut Health Gummies, Ashwagandha Adaptogen Gummies, Sugar-Free Creatine Gummy

Small-Scale Gummy R&D

  • Testing the Market, Developing Flavor Profiles, Troubleshooting and problem solving product challenges.
  • Examples: Developing SOP and Formulations for Creatine Gummies, Flavor Masking Caffeine and Cannabinoids

Gummy Co-Packing

  • 5 – 150ct Pouches Packaged in-line – Up to 14,000 pouches per shift @ 5ct .
  • 20 – 90ct Bottles Packaged in-line – Up to 8000 bottles per shift @ 30ct .
  • Examples: 5 and 20ct Snoop Pouches, 30ct Top Fungi Jars, 60ct Fndmntl ACV Jars, 120ct Novos Pouches.

Capsule Full-Scale Starchless Manufacturing

  • Tooling for Size 1, 0, 00 shells (HPMC Standard)
  • Multiple Encapsulators – 60,000 to 1.1M per shift
  • Examples: NAD+ Precursor Supplements, Joint Health, Curcumin and Herbal Blends

Small-Scale Capsule R&D

  • Piloting and Running Trials for efficacy or product performance

Tablet Full-Scale Manufacturing

  •  Tooling for 10mm, 14mm, 16mm, 26mm Diameter Punches
  • 24 Station Press – up to 900,000 per shift
  • Examples: Probiotic Tablets, Chewable herbal remedies, Calcium and mineral blends

Solid Dosage Co-Packing

  • 10ct Blisters formed and sealed – then packaged in-line
  • 15 – 120ct Bottles Packaged in-line – up to 20,000 per shift

Ingestible Liquid Blending

  • Low-Volume Blending through 1800L+ Batches

Bulk Liquid Co-Packing

  • Packed into drums or pails upon request

RTD Shot Bottle Filling

  • 2oz Cosmo Round Bottles @ ~ 10,000 – 15,000 units per shift pending full shrink
  • Manufacturing Lines to Support Flexible Load Balance

RTD Beverage Bottle Filling

  • 8, 12, 16oz and Greater Bottles @ ~ 10,000 units per shift pending full shrink

Topical Cosmetic Blending

  • 50L batch size for High-Viscosity Products: Creams, Gels, Masks
  • 200L batch size for Low-Viscosity Products: Oils, Serums, Treatments

Bulk Cosmetic Co-Packing

  • Packed into drums or pails upon request

Lotion Tube Filling

  • Tooling available for 15ml (0.5oz) – 120ml (4oz) Lotion Tubes
  • Variable Material Specifications
  • Max Through-put 205 tubes/minute

Cosmetic Liquid Sachet Filling

  • Liquid Sachets > 10g minimum sizing
  • Max Through-put 20 sachets/minute

Cosmetic Bottle Co-Packing

  • Variable characteristics and packaging specs acceptable
  • Jars, Bottles, Airless Pumps, Plastic, Glass, Heat Induction Seal

 

 

Free-Flowing Powder Blending

  • Low-Volume Blending through 350kg+ Batches
  • Handles Herbals/Botanicals as well as mixed particle sizes

Large Scale Bulk Powder Co-Packing

  • Packed from 10kg+ bags into boxes

Medium Scale Powder Filling

  • 100g+ – 1kg Pouches and Cannisters

Single-Serving Sachet Filling

  • Single Lane FFS machine auger fed powder blends
  • 10+/minute run speed @ 30g sachets

 

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