What do we need to know about Khat?

 Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula whose leaves are chewed for their amphetamine-like stimulant effects. While it has been traditionally used for centuries as a social and cultural custom in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Ethiopia, it is highly regulated or strictly illegal in many Western nations, including the United States. [1, 2]

How It Works and Its Effects

Khat contains active alkaloids, primarily cathinone and cathine, which act as central nervous system stimulants. Because cathinone degrades rapidly within 48 hours of harvesting, users prefer fresh leaves to achieve the maximum effect. [1, 2, 3, 4]

[Chewed Leaf] ➔ Releases Cathinone ➔ Stimulates Dopamine & Adrenaline ➔ Temporary Euphoria & Alertness

• Short-Term Effects: Within an hour of chewing, users experience increased alertness, high energy, talkativeness, and appetite suppression. This is often followed by a "crash" featuring low mood, irritability, and insomnia. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Long-Term Risks: Chronic use can lead to severe health issues, including high blood pressure, permanent tooth staining, gastrointestinal disorders, and liver damage. [1]
• Psychological Impact: Heavy usage is associated with increased anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and khat-induced psychosis. [1, 2]

Consumption and Culture

In its native regions, khat chewing is a deeply institutionalized social pastime, similar to drinking coffee or gathering at a pub. Leaves are rolled into a ball, tucked into the cheek, and slowly chewed for hours to extract the juices. In the West, it is predominantly consumed within diaspora communities originating from the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. [1, 2, 3]

Legal Status

The legal status of khat depends entirely on geography and its freshness: [1]

• United States: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies fresh khat as a Schedule I controlled substance because of its cathinone content. If the leaves are dried and only cathine remains, it is treated as a Schedule IV substance. [1, 2, 3]
• International: It is widely legal and openly traded across parts of East Africa and Yemen. However, it is banned in most of Europe, North America, and several Middle Eastern countries like Qatar. [1, 2]

While the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that khat has a lower addictive potential than tobacco or alcohol, it still warns that users can develop a strong psychological dependence. [1, 2]