Khat, a flowering evergreen shrub, is abused for its stimulant-like effects. Originating from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it has a long cultural tradition in social situations. Its active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, can cause increased blood pressure, heart rate, and mania. Khat is typically chewed or made into tea, paste, or smoked. Overdose symptoms include delusions, loss of appetite, and cardiovascular issues. Chronic abuse can lead to violence, depression, and physical exhaustion. Khat's effects resemble stimulants like cocaine and amphetamine, leading to its controlled status in the United States.
Khat, a flowering evergreen shrub, is abused for its stimulant-like effects. Its active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, induce manic behavior, delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, hyperactivity, violence, and suicidal depression. Physically, khat causes increased blood pressure and heart rate, teeth staining, insomnia, gastric disorders, and physical exhaustion. Chronic abuse can lead to liver damage, cardiac issues, and even death. Similar to cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine, khat is a controlled substance in the United States due to its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use.
Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where its use is a cultural tradition. However, long-term abuse of khat carries many risks. Chewing khat can lead to stimulant-like effects, causing mania, delusions, paranoia, and hyperactivity. Overdose symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and liver damage. Khat abuse can also cause physical exhaustion, insomnia, gastric disorders, and brown staining of the teeth. Its effects are similar to those of other stimulants, and it is classified as a Schedule IV stimulant under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States. Recognizing and avoiding the risks of khat abuse is essential for maintaining good health.
Khat, a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, has psychoactive properties due to its active ingredients, cathine, and cathinone. Commonly known as Abyssinian Tea, African Salad, Catha, Chat, Kat, or Oat, it's traditionally used in social settings. However, chewing khat can lead to stimulant-like effects, including delusions, appetite loss, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term abuse can cause liver damage, cardiac complications, violence, and depression. Khat's effects are similar to cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. In the United States, cathine and cathinone are controlled substances due to their high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use or safety.
Khat is a dangerous drug that can have lasting consequences. It is a flowering evergreen shrub that is abused for its stimulant-like effect. Common street names for khat include Abyssinian Tea, African Salad, Catha, Chat, Kat, and Oat. It is typically chewed like tobacco, then retained in the cheek and chewed intermittently to release the active drug. Khat can cause an immediate increase in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as manic behavior, violence, and suicidal depression. Chronic abuse of khat can cause physical exhaustion and gastric disorders. The chemicals found in khat are controlled under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States.
Khat, an evergreen shrub, contains stimulant-like substances, cathine and cathinone. Native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it holds cultural significance in certain social settings. Common street names include "Abyssinian Tea," "Khat," and "Catha." Overdose symptoms range from delusions and loss of appetite to difficulty breathing and increased blood pressure. Consuming large quantities of khat over time has been linked to liver damage, cardiac complications, and depression. It's typically chewed, releasing stimulants that induce manic behavior and potential violence. Khat's effects are comparable to other stimulants like cocaine and amphetamine. In the United States, its active compounds are controlled substances due to their high potential for abuse.