Little is known today about "Sanka," although etymology suggests it was a combination of "San," or "without," and "Ka," the Egyptian term for the repository of the soul. Consuming Sanka thus negated the soul.

It is not understood why they would do such a thing. Indeed, period literature abounds with harsh words for the San-Ka, although its devotees insisted it "helped them sleep," suggesting that their souls were so troubled they could not find respite any other way.