Khat

What is khat?
Khat is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages going between the brain and
the body. The drug is the leaves and buds of the khat plant (Catha edulis Forsk).The leaves
may be used fresh or dried.

Other names
qat, kat or chat

What does it look like?

The leaves and buds of the khat plant. The leafy green shrub that can grow to tree size.

How is it used?
Fresh leaves and buds are chewed.
Dried khat is chewed, taken as tea or smoked.
The chewing of khat leaves is common in some countries of east Africa and the Arabian
Peninsula. It has a deep-rooted social and cultural tradition in some Muslim, Somali and
Yemeni cultures. In some Muslim countries in which alcohol is prohibited, khat is commonly
used in social situations, although it is often condemned on religious grounds.

Effects of khat
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. Its 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
The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)

The following effects may be experienced immediately:

Fast heartbeat and breathing
High temperature and blood pressure
Talking more and feeling energetic
Reduced appetite

In some Muslim countries in which alcohol is prohibited, khat is

commonly used in social situations.
Pag
Long-term effects
Regular use of khat may eventually cause:
Worsening of existing mental health problems
Sleep problems
Impotence
Digestive problems, such as constipation
Sore, inflamed mouth
Mouth cancer
Needing to use more to get the same effect
Dependence on khat
Financial, work and social problems

Withdrawal
Giving up khat after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to
functioning without it.
Its not clear whether its possible to become dependent on khat, but there is some evidence to
suggest that if its used heavily, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced for several days
after the last time the drug was used. These symptoms may include:
Extreme tiredness
Difficulty performing normal daily activities
Slight trembling

References for this fact sheet are available at: druginfo.adf.org.au.

Further Information
The Druginfo website has information on:
- Help& support services
- Treatment
- Drug facts, including withdrawal symptoms
Go to druginfo.adf.org.au

Stay Informed Khat

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only. The Australian Drug Foundation recommends that you obtain professional advice based on your
individual circumstances before acting on information in this fact sheet.