Khat at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- 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
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.[1]
Cathinone, its main stimulant, is chemically close to amphetamine. It breaks down within about two days after harvest, which is why khat is shipped fresh; synthetic cathinones ('bath salts') are lab-made relatives.[1]
Khat effects and how long they last
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.[1]
Khat side effects and risks
Heart: regular use is associated with high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.[1]
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.
Mental health: heavy use can cause insomnia, anxiety, and, in rare cases, psychosis.
Khat interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| 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 |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
Khat overdose: signs and what to 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.[1]
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.[1]
- Days 1 to 3Come-downTiredness, low mood, and trouble sleeping.
- Week 1AdjustingIrritability, lethargy, and cravings.
- WeeksSettlesSleep and mood improve.
Is khat legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
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.[2]
- 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.[3]
Where can someone get help with khat use?
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[4]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[5]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
Khat legal status in other countries
| 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 |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[6]
Common 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.
