December 2007 Page 1 of 2

Khat (pronounced “cot”) is a stimulant

drug derived from a shrub (Catha edulis)

that is native to East Africa and southern

Arabia. Although the khat plant itself is

not scheduled under the Controlled

Substances Act, one of its chemical 

constituents, cathinone, is a Schedule I

drug. The Federal Government treats

khat as equivalent to cathinone and

therefore considers its use illegal.1

Health/Behavioral 

Effects2 ———

The main psychoactive ingredients in

khat are cathine and cathinone, chemicals that are structurally similar to, but

less potent than, amphetamine, yet result

in similar psychomotor stimulant effects.

Chewing khat leaves induces a state of

euphoria and elation as well as feelings

of increased alertness and arousal. The

user also experiences an increase in

blood pressure and heart rate. The

effects begin to subside after about 

90 minutes to 3 hours, but can last 

24 hours. At the end of a khat session,

the user may experience a depressive

mood, irritability, loss of appetite, and

difficulty sleeping.1

There are a number of adverse physical

effects that have been associated with

heavy or long-term use of khat, including

tooth decay and periodontal disease;

gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, ulcers, inflammation of the 

stomach, and increased risk of upper

gastrointestinal tumors; and cardiovascular

disorders such as irregular heartbeat,

decreased blood flow, and myocardial

infarction. There is also consistent 

epidemiologic evidence for a weak

association between chronic khat use

and mental disorders. Although there

is no evidence that khat use causes 

mental illness, chewing khat leaves may

worsen symptoms in patients who have

pre-existing psychiatric conditions. 

It is unclear whether khat causes tolerance, physical dependency, addiction,

or withdrawal, but nightmares and slight

trembling have been reported several

days after ceasing to chew.

Extent of Use ———

It is estimated that 10 million people

worldwide chew khat.2 It is commonly

found in the southwestern part of the

Arabian Peninsula and in East Africa,

Khat
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where it has been used for centuries as

part of an established cultural tradition.

In one large study in Yemen, 82 percent

of men and 43 percent of women reported at least one lifetime* episode of khat

use.2 Its current use among particular

migrant communities in the United States

and in Europe has caused alarm among

policymakers and health care professionals. No reliable estimates of prevalence

in the United States exist.

National Institutes of Health – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This material may be used or reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.

* “Lifetime” refers to use at least once during a respondent’s lifetime. 

For street terms searchable by drug name, street term, cost and quantities, drug trade, and drug use, visit:

www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/k.html. 

References

1 Drug Enforcement Administration. Fact Sheet. Available at:

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr072606a.html

2 World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. Critical Review of Khat. Available at:

http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/4.4KhatCritReview.pdf