Short answer: Khat is a shrub whose fresh leaves are chewed for a stimulant effect in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its main active ingredient, cathinone, is Schedule I in the US, and cathine is Schedule IV, so khat is effectively illegal. Heavy use is linked to high blood pressure, heart problems, mouth disease, and psychosis.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Khat is a plant stimulant (contains cathinone and cathine) and a Schedule I controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: none accepted in the US.
- Timing: effects start in 15 to 30 minutes (while chewing) and last several hours.
- Most dangerous mix: MAO inhibitors, which can cause dangerous rise in blood pressure.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Moderate.
- Legal route: none. Schedule I substances cannot be prescribed.
What is khat?
Khat has been chewed socially for centuries in parts of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, often in long gatherings. Hundreds of thousands of people outside those regions also use it.
Khat causes alertness, energy, talkativeness, euphoria, and suppressed appetite, with a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. As effects wear off, people may feel low, irritable, and unable to sleep.
Quick facts
| Fact | Khat |
|---|---|
| Plant | Catha edulis |
| Active compounds | Cathinone (degrades within about 48 hours of harvest) and cathine (norpseudoephedrine) |
| Drug class | Plant stimulant; amphetamine-like |
| US legal status | Cathinone: Schedule I; cathine: Schedule IV |
| How it is used | Fresh leaves and stems chewed over several hours; sometimes brewed as tea |
| Onset | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Traditional regions | Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti |
How long does khat last?
- Starts working: 15 to 30 minutes (while chewing)
- Effects last: Several hours
Several hours, usually during and after a chewing session.
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of khat?
Heart: regular use is associated with high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Mouth and gut: chewing is linked to gum disease, oral lesions, constipation, and possibly oral cancer; khat crops may carry pesticide residues.
Liver: cases of liver injury have been reported.
What should you never mix with khat?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Other stimulants | Heart strain and overheating | High risk |
| MAO inhibitors | Dangerous rise in blood pressure | Dangerous |
| Alcohol and sedatives (used to come down) | Masked effects; dependence on both | Caution |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a khat overdose, and what should you do?
Serious toxicity from chewing khat alone is uncommon, but it can cause chest pain, very high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms, especially in people with heart disease.
If someone may be overdosing
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, weakness on one side, slurred speech), a very high body temperature, or if the person collapses.
- Move them somewhere cool and calm, loosen tight clothing, and cool the skin with water. Do not try to hold them down.
- If they become unresponsive or their breathing slows, give naloxone. Street stimulants are often contaminated with fentanyl.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Is khat addictive?
Regular khat use can cause psychological dependence. Stopping can cause low mood, fatigue, nightmares, and cravings, but no dangerous physical withdrawal.
- Days 1 to 3Come-downTiredness, low mood, and trouble sleeping.
- Week 1AdjustingIrritability, lethargy, and cravings.
- WeeksSettlesSleep and mood improve.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full khat withdrawal guide.
Is khat legal?
Khat itself is not named in the federal schedules, but cathinone is Schedule I and cathine is Schedule IV. Because fresh khat contains cathinone, importing, selling, or possessing it is prosecuted federally, and many states list khat by name.
- Possession: under federal law, a first conviction for possessing any controlled substance without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C (since 2014) |
| Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia | Legal and widely traded |
| International | Khat is not under UN control; cathinone is in Schedule I and cathine in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention |
Frequently asked questions about khat
Is khat a drug?
Yes. Its leaves contain cathinone and cathine, stimulants related to amphetamine.
Is khat legal in the US?
No, effectively. Its active ingredient cathinone is Schedule I.
How long do khat effects last?
Several hours, usually during and after a chewing session.
Is khat the same as bath salts?
No, but bath salts are synthetic cathinones, lab-made chemical cousins of khat's main ingredient.
Is khat addictive?
It can cause psychological dependence with regular use.
Sources
- Khat drug fact sheet, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Khat profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
