Khat is a stimulant drug, also known as Quat, Chat, Cat, African Tea, Absysinnian Tea or Bushman's Tea.
Khat leaves - from the Catha edulis plant - are chewed, sometimes over several hours, but can also be smoked or made into a tea or edible paste.
Khat's effects are similar to, but less potent than, amphetamines. Stimulant drugs speed up the mind and body; Khat can initially make you feel very alert or elated. After several hours use, some users report a 'blissed out' feeling.
However, like all stimulants, use of Khat can lead to nasty side-effects. Khat can cause heart palpitations, blood pressure and heart problems, damage to your mouth and teeth, loss of appetite and insomnia. There may be an increased risk of mouth cancers.
Khat can also lead a user to feel anxious, aggressive, confused or disconnected from reality. It can aggravate existing mental health problems, and trigger paranoia or psychosis.
Long-term use can lead to psychological dependence.
Khat leaves are not currently a controlled substance in the UK. However, Khat's two active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, are Class C drugs when extracted from the plant.
'What is Khat?' is available to buy as part of our KS3/4 drugs leaflets pack and KS3/4 drugs posters pack. Visit our Literature store to find out more.
Khat is a stimulant drug, also known as Quat, Chat, Cat, African Tea, Absysinnian Tea or Bushman's Tea.
Khat leaves - from the Catha edulis plant - are chewed, sometimes over several hours, but can also be smoked or made into a tea or edible paste.
Khat's effects are similar to, but less potent than, amphetamines. Stimulant drugs speed up the mind and body; Khat can initially make you feel very alert or elated. After several hours use, some users report a 'blissed out' feeling.
However, like all stimulants, use of Khat can lead to nasty side-effects. Khat can cause heart palpitations, blood pressure and heart problems, damage to your mouth and teeth, loss of appetite and insomnia. There may be an increased risk of mouth cancers.
Khat can also lead a user to feel anxious, aggressive, confused or disconnected from reality. It can aggravate existing mental health problems, and trigger paranoia or psychosis.
Long-term use can lead to psychological dependence.
Khat leaves are not currently a controlled substance in the UK. However, Khat's two active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, are Class C drugs when extracted from the plant.
'What is Khat?' is available to buy as part of our KS3/4 drugs leaflets pack and KS3/4 drugs posters pack. Visit our Literature store to find out more.