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Khat

Khat molecule structureKhat molecule structure
Cathinone
Qat, Kat, Chat, Miraa, Gat
Catha edulis Forsk. (Celastraceae)
Psychoactive Class
Stimulant
Chemical Class
PhenethylamineCathinone

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering shrub native to eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose fresh leaves are chewed for their stimulant properties.citation needed 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.1

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Chewed leaves release cathine and cathinone, which are absorbed through the oral mucous membranes and the stomach lining. Cathinone decomposes within about 48 hours of the leaves drying, leaving the milder cathine, so potency varies substantially with the freshness of the plant material.

Duration

Onset15+ minutes
Peak15-30 minutes
After Effects1-10 hours
Total30-120 minutes
Half-life
~3 hours (cathine)

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Khat produces a mild, socially oriented stimulation that has been compared to the effects of strong coffee, arriving faster than orally administered amphetamine at roughly fifteen minutes after chewing begins. The state is characterized by euphoria, excitement, and a marked increase in talkativeness, and is traditionally sustained across long communal chewing sessions. Prolonged consumption is described as producing an uplifted mood and a sense of release from time and space, while heavier or more excessive use can shade into manic behaviour and hyperactivity resembling that of amphetamine.

Physical

The body effects are those of a mild sympathomimetic stimulant: wakefulness that readily extends into insomnia, raised heart rate and blood pressure, and prominently dilated pupils. Appetite is reliably suppressed, and constipation is a common accompaniment.

Autonomic

Cardiovascular

Increased blood pressure

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Constipation

Cognitive

The headspace is bright and outward-facing, with elevated mood, confidence, alertness, and improved concentration, which is why the plant is used by drivers and students to sustain attention. Users become notably verbose and sociable, though excessive use can bring disinhibition, disordered thought, and in rare cases hypomanic or psychotic presentations.

Emotional

Enhancements

Stimulation

Psychological

Social

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Khat's stimulant effects are primarily mediated by cathinone and cathine, two phenylpropanolamine alkaloids structurally related to amphetamine.citation needed Cathinone, the more potent constituent found in fresh leaves, demonstrates high affinity for serotonin receptors and inhibits the reuptake of epinephrine and norepinephrine, producing wakefulness and euphoria.2 Cathine acts upon adrenergic receptors to cause release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.citation needed Both compounds produce sympathomimetic effects including increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Pharmacokinetics

When khat leaves are chewed, cathine and cathinone are absorbed through the oral mucosa and gastric lining.citation needed Cathinone is rapidly metabolized, with effects peaking after 15 to 30 minutes and nearly 98% of the substance converted to norephedrine by the liver. Cathine has a half-life of approximately three hours in humans. Cathinone is unstable and degrades to cathine and norephedrine within 48 hours when leaves dry.

Interactions

Interactions not written up yet

An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.

Check TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Cross Tolerance

Stimulants, Cathinones, Amphetamines

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Low

Classified by the WHO as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence, considered less addictive than tobacco or alcohol.citation needed The WHO does not consider khat addiction to be a serious global problem.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Sympathomimetic effects cause increased heart rate and blood pressure during use;3 long-term heavy use may be associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction, though evidence remains limited.citation needed

Gastrointestinal

Regular use commonly results in constipation;citation needed chronic heavy use may increase susceptibility to ulcers.4

Oral

Long-term use can cause permanent tooth darkening with a greenish tinge;citation needed there may be an increased risk of oral cancer with chronic heavy use.

Reproductive

Use during pregnancy has been associated with increased likelihood of adverse outcomes.5

Carcinogenicity
Possible

Long-term use has been associated with increased risk of oral cancer.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Occasionally a psychotic episode can result, resembling a hypomanic state in presentation.citation needed Psychosis in extreme cases may occur in genetically predisposed individuals. The relationship between khat consumption and psychiatric disorders requires further research.

History & Culture

Origins and Early Documentation

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering plant native to eastern and southeastern Africa, with a history of cultivation originating in the Harar area of present-day eastern Ethiopia.citation needed The plant likely originated in the Horn of Africa, specifically the Ethiopia-Somali region, from where it…

Legality

By Country

Illegal15
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Chile flagChileIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Ireland flagIrelandIllegal
Italy flagItalyIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Philippines flagPhilippinesIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab EmiratesIllegal
Controlled / restricted1
Australia flagAustraliaRestricted

References

Source Pages

  1. DrugBank: Cathinone
  2. Erowid: Khat Basics
  3. Erowid: Khat Chemistry Notes
  4. Erowid: Khat Legal Status
  5. Erowid: Khat Vault
  6. PsychonautWiki: Khat
  7. TripSit: Drug Combinations Chart
  8. Wikipedia
  9. Wikipedia: Cathinone

Citations

  1. Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) Dependence Potential and Pattern of Use in Saudi Arabia. PMC / PubMed Central (n.d.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4561295/1
  2. Brenneisen, R., Fisch, H.U., Koelbing, U., Geisshusler, S., & Kalix, P.. (1990). Amphetamine-like effects in humans of the khat alkaloid cathinone. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 30(6), 825-828. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1368302/1
  3. Khat (Catha Edulis) as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE (2018). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5748832/12
  4. Risks of khat chewing on the cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems: A narrative review. (2022). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8930170/1
  5. The effects of khat use during pregnancy on perinatal and maternal outcomes: a meta-analysis. (2023). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36689029/1
  6. Researching the roots of khat addiction in Yemen. Fogarty International Center, NIH (2011). https://www.fic.nih.gov/News/GlobalHealthMatters/April2011/Pages/khat-yemen.aspx1
  7. Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956; Poisons Standard. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03651/2016-08-07/2016-08-07/text/2/pdf1
  8. Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956; Poisons Standard. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00049/asmade/2025-01-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  9. Suchtmittelgesetz; Suchtgiftverordnung. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/JustizEntscheidung.wxe?Abfrage=Justiz&Dokumentnummer=JJT_20150316_OGH0002_0150OS00021_15Z0000_0001
  10. Suchtmittelgesetz; Suchtgiftverordnung. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR11011286/NOR11011286.html1

Further Reading

  1. Alcohol and Drug Foundation: Khat
  2. Britannica: Khat (plant)
  3. Drugs.com: Khat Uses, Benefits & Dosage
  4. PMC Khat: A Widely Used Drug of Abuse

Article Status

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Recent changes7 human edits · latest

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