Khat

How is it used?

Khat leaves and buds can be chewed fresh, but may also be preserved by wrapping freshly picked khat in banana leaves, and then used dried.¹

Effects of khat

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Khat affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken.

Short term effects may include:

• increased talkativeness
• feeling energetic and social
• alertness and improved concentration
• faster heartbeat and breathing
• slightly higher temperature and blood pressure
• reduced appetite.^1-3

The effects of khat start approximately 1 hour after chewing and last for around 3 and a half hours.⁴

Coming down

The comedown effects of khat can last around 24 hours and include:

• restlessness
• Irritability
• low mood⁵

Khat and mental health

Using khat is associated with mental health conditions such as psychosis which is similar to amphetamine psychosis. It has also been associated with depression, mood swings and violent behaviour.⁶

Tolerance and dependence

People who regularly use khat can become psychologically dependent on the drug. They may feel they need khat to go about their normal activities like working, studying and socialising, or just to get through the day.⁷

Long-term effects

Regular use of khat may eventually cause:

• worsening of existing mental health problems
• sleep-related issues
• liver disease
• fertility problems, such as impotence and lower sperm count
• digestive problems such as constipation
• sore, inflamed mouth
• psychological dependence
• mouth cancer.^1-3

Withdrawal

Khat appears to pose a relatively low risk for dependence, but withdrawal symptoms may be experienced if someone stops using khat after they have been using it regularly.

Symptoms may include:

• mild depression
• lower blood pressure
• tiredness.^{1, 2}

Mixing khat with other drugs

The effects of taking khat with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous.

According to anecdotal user reports:

• Khat + tobacco = increases the risk of harms caused by smoking
• Khat + alcohol = can cause liver injury
• Khat + stimulants like cocaine and amphetamine = increases the risk of over-heating and heart attack.⁸

Use of more than one drug or type of drug consumed at the same time is called polydrug use.⁹

More on Polydrug use

‘Polydrug use’ is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another.10 Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.

Reducing harm 

• avoid chewing one bunch after another
• have a break between sessions
• try to eat regular, nutritious foods
• try to get a good night’s sleep
• wash the khat before use to remove any pesticides.⁸