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Khat

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Releated terms: Quat, qat, qaadka, chat.

The Drug

The Effects

The Risks

The Law

The Drug
Overview Appearance Use
Overview

What is khat? Khat (Catha edulis) is a leafy green plant containing 2 main stimulants. Their main effects are similar to, but less powerful than, amphetamine (Speed). Stimulants speed up your mind and body. Khat is used mostly in Africa, but it is becoming more common in Europe.

The key effects and risks of khat include:

  • People feel more alert, happy and talkative.
  • It suppresses the appetite.
  • It can cause insomnia and can make pre-existing mental health problems worse and can cause paranoid and psychotic reactions (losing touch with reality).
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Appearance

What does Khat look like?

Khat is a leafy green plant.

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Use

How is khat taken?

A small bunch of its leaves are ‘balled up’ and chewed over a number of hours.

Prices can vary from region to region, but a small bunch of leaves costs around £4.

The Effects

What are the effects of khat?

Khat is a stimulant and chewing it can:

  • Make people more alert and talkative
  • Produce feelings of elation
  • Suppress the appetite
  • Produce a feeling of calm if it's chewed over a few hours, with some describing it as being 'blissed out'
  • Lead to periods of insomnia
The Risks
What are the risks? Impurities Getting hooked
What are the risks?

What are the risks of khat? Because khat is a plant, some people think that it is safe to use. But using any drug involves risk. Here’s what it could do to you:

  • You may develop insomnia and short-lived confusional states.
  • You can get high blood pressure, heart palpitations and heart problems with heavy use.
  • As khat can cause periods of increased libido, care may be needed to minimise the risk of unsafe sex and unwanted pregnancies.
  • Khat can inflame the mouth and damage the teeth; can reduce appetite and cause constipation, and there is concern about a longer-term risk of development of mouth cancers.
  • It can give you feelings of anxiety and aggression.
  • It can make pre-existing mental health problems worse and can cause paranoid and psychotic reactions (which may be associated with irritability, anxiety and losing touch with reality).
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Impurities

Impurities

Because khat comes in recognisable leaf form, it can't easily be cut with anything.

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Getting hooked

Can you get addicted to khat?

Khat can make a user psychologically dependent (with craving and a desire to keep using in spite of potential harm). When some users stop using they can feel lethargic or mildly depressed and may have a withdrawal period with fine tremors and nightmares.

The Law

Khat and the law

Khat is not an illegal drug in the UK so it can be used or sold without penalty. However, khat is an illegal substance in many other countries like the US and taking khat into the US could attract a heavy prison sentence.

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