Does Sceletium have side effects?
The leaves of the plant may be chewed or made into a tea, juice, or dietary supplement. Sceletium supplements are often used to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as to improve memory and thinking skills. However, their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include a headache or upset stomach. One of the critical considerations in the study of Sceletium tortuosum is its addiction potential. Historical and ethnobotanical evidence suggests that the plant is used in low doses for well-being by indigenous communities, with no apparent dependence or addiction issues reported.Sceletium supplements are often used to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as to improve memory and thinking skills. However, their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include a headache or upset stomach.In addition, Sceletium is well-known as “Kanna, Channa, and Kougoed”, meaning something to chew or is chewable. The plant is traditionally known for its ability to elevate mood, reduce stress, tension, anti-anxiety and its tranquilizing properties [10].
Can Sceletium enhance cognitive function?
A few, small, short-duration clinical trials have suggested that Sceletium tortuosum extracts may improve some complex cognitive functions; however, evidence from large, long-term studies is lacking. Sceletium tortuosum extracts are generally well-tolerated, but long-term safety has not been established. Sceletium tortuosum is an endemic succulent from South Africa. Traditionally, it’s related to treatments involving toothache, abdominal pains, hypnotic, analgesic, thirst and hunger inhibition, and anxiolytic, the aim of this meta-analysis [6].