Khat

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering shrub native to eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose fresh leaves are chewed for their stimulant properties. The plant contains cathinone, a phenethylamine alkaloid that produces sociability, excitement, mild appetite suppression, and euphoria. Khat chewing holds thousands of years of cultural significance in East African and Yemeni communities, comparable to coca leaf use in South America. The WHO classifies it as a drug of abuse capable of producing psychological dependence.

Also known as: Qat, Kat, Gat, Chat, Jaad

Classification

Chemical: Cathinone
Chemical: Phenethylamine
Psychoactive: Stimulant
Tag: Habit-Forming

Effects

Stimulation
Pupil Dilation
Increased Heart Rate
Increased Blood Pressure
Constipation
Euphoria
Focus Enhancement
Thought Disorganization
Time Distortion
Mania
Psychosis
Increased Music Appreciation
Hallucinations
Disinhibition
Appetite Suppression
Decreased Libido
Light Sensitivity

Routes of Administration

Oral

Dosage

No data available for this section yet.

Duration

Onset: 0.25 h
Peak: 0.25-0.5 h
After Effects: 1-10 h

Harm Reduction

Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.

Sources

Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.

Links

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