Sceletium Tortuosum

Summary of Benefits

In its 4th century of recorded use! Sceletium tortuosum is a rare succulent from the Mesembryanthemaceae family and is distributed in certain semi-desert areas of Southern Africa. It was (and still is) highly regarded and sought after by both the Khoikhoi and the San (bushmen) people who have used this plant as a mood enhancer since prehistoric times. The earliest written record of the use of the plant dates back to 1662 when Sceletium was an item of barter during the early settler culture in South Africa and it was considered then the “…greatest clearer of spirits, and the noblest Restorative in the world…”. Sceletium elevates mood and decreases anxiety, stress and tension, and functions as a model anxiolytic, as well as being a very effective anti-depressant. Sceletium is also known to reduce addictive cravings particularly with regard to nicotine and also lessens the withdrawal effects of alcohol. Due to its ability to stimulate feelings of empathy it has also been used with success in couple therapy.

In large doses Sceletium can cause euphoria, but without any associated come-down. Long-term use followed by abstinence has not been reported to result in any withdrawal state. The plant is not hallucinogenic, and no severe adverse effects have been documented. Sceletium is a truly effective plant with which to treat the stress, anxiety and lack of balance often attributed to our busy western lifestyle. Sceletium has a unique ability to bring about emotional balance and, simultaneously cause both relaxation and stimulation of a positive mood. More profoundly it also engenders a sense of connectedness and meaning, making it an ideal supplement for anyone living in the modern world. Indigenous, folk, and contemporary uses of Sceletium: In addition to Sceletium's common use for the stress and mental fatigue of modern industrial living, Sceletium has been used as a natural supplement in:

• Low mood, including grey weather syndrome
• Anxiety states, including social phobia
• Irritability in menopause
• Improvement in libido, when lack of libido is from anxiety or low mood
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, as part of a support program

Chemistry and Pharmacology

The active constituents of the plant are alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. Mesembrine is the major alkaloid present in Sceletium, and has been determined in, as yet, unpublished laboratory studies, to be a very potent and effective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. This receptor-specific activity, as well as receptor activities also found on nicotinic, dopamine and norepinephrine sites validate the traditional mood-elevating uses, and suggest additional therapeutic and wellness potential. Mesembrine alkaloids also appear to have a harmonizing and balancing effect on other neurotransmitters such dopamine and norepinephrine and epinephrine. Side-Effect of Sceletium Very few people experience side-effects with Sceletium tortuosum. The reported side-effects include occasional episodes of:

• Mild headache
• Slight nausea, no vomiting
• Soft stool or loose stool with no cramping
• Transient increase in anxiety or irritability an hour after initiating treatment, which resolves after an hour or so
• Insomnia: corrected by lowering the dose or taking the product not later than midday
• A feeling of sedation: corrected by taking the product as a single 50mg dose at night

Contraindications Although there have been no confirmed reports of drug interactions, because of the neuro-receptor activities of Sceletium tortuosum there are theoretical interactions with other psychiatric medications and cardiac drugs. People taking any psychiatric drug (including all anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-depessants and anti-psychotics and so-called designer or recreational drugs) or any cardiac medications, are advised not to take Sceletium-containing products. As with most supplements and modern drugs, safety in pregnancy has not been established.