Khat Fast Facts

What is khat? How is khat used? What are the risks? Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering Khat typically is ingested by chewing Individuals who abuse khat typically shrub native to northeast Africa and the leaves—as is done with loose experience a state of mild depression the Arabian Peninsula. Individuals tobacco. Dried khat leaves can be following periods of prolonged use. chew khat leaves because of the brewed in tea or cooked and added to Taken in excess khat causes extreme stimulant effects, which are similar to food. After ingesting khat, the user thirst, hyperactivity, insomnia, and but less intense than those caused by experiences an immediate increase in loss of appetite (which can lead to abusing cocaine or methamphet- blood pressure and heart rate. The anorexia). amine. effects of the drug generally begin to Frequent khat use often leads to subside between 90 minutes and 3 decreased productivity because the What does khat look like? hours after ingestion; however, they drug tends to reduce the user’s motiva- can last up to 24 hours. When fresh, khat leaves are glossy tion. Repeated use can cause manic and crimson-brown in color, resem- behavior with grandiose delusions, bling withered basil. Khat leaves Whouseskhat?Who uses khat? paranoia, and hallucinations. (There typically begin to deteriorate 48 hours The use of khat is accepted within have been reports of khat-induced after being cut from the shrub on the Somali, Ethiopian, and Yemeni psychosis.) The drug also can cause which they grow. Deteriorating khat cultures, and in the United States damage to the nervous, respiratory, leaves are leathery and turn yellow- khat use is most prevalent among circulatory, and digestive systems. green in color. immigrants from those countries. Abuse levels are highest in cities with sizable populations of immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, includ- Street Terms for Khat ing Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Abyssinian tea Miraa Nashville, New York, and Washington, African salad Oat D.C. In addition, there is evidence to Bushman’s tea Qat suggest that some nonimmigrants in Chat Somali tea these areas have begun abusing the Gat Tohai drug. Kat Tschat NDIC Other products of interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants Is khat illegal? , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth Yes, khat is illegal. Fresh khat , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet leaves contain cathinone—a Khat Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs, which include Fast Facts heroin and LSD, have a high potential for abuse and serve no legitimate medical purpose. When khat leaves are no longer fresh (typically after 48 hours), their chemical composition breaks down. At that point the leaves contain cathine, a Schedule IV For more information on illicit drugs substance. Schedule IV drugs are check out our web site at: considered to have a lower potential for abuse but still can lead to www.usdoj.gov/ndic limited physical or psychological dependence. National Drug Intelligence Center 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Check out Fast Facts on: Telephone: 814-532-4601 FAX: 814-532-4690 + Crack cocaine , Methadone NDIC Washington Liaison Office , Crystal , Methamphetamine 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 , McLean, VA 22102-3840 , methamphetamine , OxyContin Telephone: 703-556-8970 , Drug paraphernalia , PCP FAX: 703-556-7807 DXM Powdered cocaine NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Foxy , Prescription drugs , Fry , Psilocybin ADNET http://ndicosa QuestionsQuestions , GHB and analogs , Ritalin LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic RISS ndic.riss.net , Heroin , Rohypnol , , INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic andand , Inhalants , Salvia divinorum , Jimsonweed , Steroids Call 814-532-4541 AnswersAnswers , Ketamine Teens and drugs to request NDIC products LSD , Triple C National Drug Intelligence Center , Marijuana , Yaba a component of the , MDMA NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-014 U.S. Department of Justice Cover photo: NDIC 071803.

Load more