Kanna, Zembrin®, and the Future of Stress Support

In a world that rarely slows down, stress has become part of the background noise. Whether it shows up as racing thoughts before bed, tension before a presentation, or a vague sense of emotional overwhelm, chronic stress affects everything from how we feel to how we focus.

That’s why we created Serene State: a delicious wildberry-flavored gummy featuring clinically studied ingredients shown to support mood (1-2), focus (2-3), and emotional resilience (1,3). At the heart of this fast-acting supplement is Zembrin®, a patented extract of kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) that has been shown to promote calmness and support healthy stress responses. (1-2)

Here’s why we chose it—and what makes Zembrin® an effective and reliable form of kanna for daily stress support.

What is Kanna? The Origins of a Natural Stress Reliever

For over 300 years (and likely much longer), the Khoi-San people of South Africa have used a plant called kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) to restore balance, calm the nervous system, and promote a sense of connection. It was traditionally chewed, brewed into tea, or used in ceremonies as a way to help process stress and support harmony—both within the individual and the community.

Today, kanna’s potential for promoting emotional balance is being recognized by the scientific community, with modern research validating what ancient wisdom has long known.

From Ritual to Research: The Development of Zembrin®

While kanna holds promise, not all forms are created equal. Unregulated extracts can vary widely in potency, purity, and clinical reliability.

Zembrin® is a clinically studied, standardized extract of kanna developed to ensure safety, consistency, and efficacy. It’s produced through a seed-to-shelf cultivation process that avoids wild harvesting and protects the plant population. It is also developed in partnership with the South African San Council, which shares in its benefit—a recognition of the plant’s cultural and historical significance.

In contrast to many other forms of kanna on the market, Zembrin® has been studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials for its impact on mood, cognition, and stress response. (1-2)

How Zembrin® Works

Zembrin® offers a fast-acting and multi-dimensional approach by supporting emotional regulation and cognitive clarity without sedation or fog.

1. Promotes Calmness & Serenity

Zembrin® supports a healthy stress response and promotes calmness without drowsiness. (1) It works by helping to regulate activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotional processing. In one clinical study, a single 25 mg dose of Zembrin® helped reduce reactivity in the amygdala and hypothalamus, the brain’s central fear and stress-processing regions. (2)

2. Supports Mood & Focus

Zembrin® acts by helping modulate serotonin levels—the neurotransmitter most associated with mood and emotional well-being. (1) It also helps support cognitive domains like decision-making, impulse-control, and strategy(1), making it ideal for those looking to stay calm and clear-headed throughout the day. (2)

3. Improved Cognitive Performance

In a 3-week clinical trial, participants taking 25 mg of Zembrin® daily experienced measurable improvements in mental performance and executive function. (2) These results suggest that Zembrin® supports not just how you feel, but how you think.

Why We Chose Zembrin® for Sakara’s Serene State

When developing Serene State, our goal was clear: to create a fast-acting, non-habit forming supplement that helps support stress resilience and emotional well-being—without any of the fog or crash that often comes with traditional solutions.

We chose Zembrin® for its:

• Clinical validation
• Standardized potency
• Sustainable sourcing
• Traceable seed-to-shelf integrity

To complement Zembrin’s fast-acting effects, we paired it with L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea that has been shown to:

• Promote relaxation without drowsiness
• Enhance cognitive function and focus under stress (3)

Together, this duo provides a powerful, plant-based solution for staying calm and clear—whether you’re heading into a big meeting, braving a long commute, or simply navigating a busy day.

Why Standardization Matters in Supplements

Herbal ingredients like kanna can vary greatly in quality. Without standardization, you can’t be sure how much of the active compounds you’re getting—or whether they’ve been studied for safety and efficacy at all.

Zembrin® stands out as the only form of kanna that is:

• Clinically studied in human trials
• Standardized for active alkaloids
• Third-party tested for quality and potency
• Sustainably grown

With Zembrin®, every dose delivers the same calm clarity you can feel—and trust.

Integrating Kanna Into Your Daily Ritual

Serene State was designed with ritual in mind. A soft, wildberry-flavored gummy without added sugar that fits into your bag, drawer, or travel case, it’s there for you whenever stress shows up.

Whether you take it daily for long-term support or on an as-needed basis before high-stress moments, the experience is the same: grounded energy, a clear mind, and a feeling of emotional steadiness.

Benefits you may experience with consistent daily use:

• Healthier response to stress (1,3)
• Improved emotional resilience and regulation (1-3)
• Enhanced focus and mood (1-3)
• No sedation, fog, or crash

The Calm You Can Carry With You

Zembrin® is more than an ingredient. It’s a symbol of what we believe in: science-backed botanicals, sustainable sourcing, and supplements that fit into your life with intention and ease.

In Serene State, you’ll find the calm that moves with you. One you can turn to before a big meeting, a long commute, or anytime life feels like too much.

References

1. Terburg D, Syal S, Rosenberger LA, 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):2708-2716. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23903032/
2. Chiu S, Gericke N, Farina-Woodbury M, Badmaev V, et al. (2014). Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Cognition Effects of the Proprietary Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) Targeting Phosphodiesterase-4 in Cognitively Healthy Subjects: Implications for Alzheimer’s Dementia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:682014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25389443/
3. Nobre, AC, Rao A, & Owen GN. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effects on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(S1):167-168. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296328/