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The term khat refers to the leaves and young shoots of Catha edulis. The plant has been widely used since the thirteenth century as a recreational drug by the indigenous people of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East. Individuals chew khat leaves because of their stimulant and euphoric effects, which are similar to, but less intense than, those resulting from the abuse of cocaine or methamphetamine.
When fresh, khat leaves are glossy and crimson-brown in color, resembling withered basil. Khat leaves typically begin to deteriorate 48 hours after being harvested from the shrub on which they grow. Deteriorating khat leaves are leathery and turn yellow-green. Inevitably - as with all bans - a black market will emerge and the price of khat for those who buy it in the UK will rise.
Back at the west London depot, Mahat may be winding down his own import business to stay on the right side of the law, but he believes others will still find a way to bring it into the UK. Don't ban khat, MPs urge government. Kenyan MPs' bid to evict UK farmers. Investigating Britain's khat habit. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Opinion is divided on whether banning khat in the UK is the right thing.
Cafe owners from around the UK come to the west London depot to collect boxes of khat to distribute. Khat - its effects and risks. Image source, Getty Images. Khat farmer FG Machuma says chewing the leaves is no worse than drinking alcohol or smoking. Karen Bradley: "This affects a very small community". Khat is mainly grown in Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen. Al-Shabab warning. Vice's Alex Miller: "It's a good vibe, right? We're having a nice time".
Published 29 November Published 14 May Published 23 January Common Side Effects: Increased respiration, elevated blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and dilated pupils; regular use can cause tooth decay, gum disease, ulcers, and constipation. Khat leaves are usually green or green-brown. When fresh, the leaves have a glossy appearance. As they dry, they turn leathery yellow-brown. Given its appearance, khat is sometimes mistaken for marijuana. The leaves of the khat plant are often packed together in a bundle and wrapped in banana leaves.
People who use khat typically chew fresh leaves, because the active components of the plant break down quickly as they dry out. Dried leaves are sometimes used as a tea, although the effects are less potent. Khat's effects are similar to those of other stimulants, such as caffeine. People who use khat may become talkative, alert, elated, and experience euphoria. Some people report feeling increased self-esteem. Others describe increased imagination and ideas. Khat is usually chewed, with people typically holding the chewed leaves in their cheek for several hours, chewing periodically.
Chewing sessions typically last 3 to 4 hours. When people from these countries migrate to other parts of the world, they often use the social act of chewing khat to maintain a sense of connection to their community. The practice has lead to the development of an international drug trade for khat. According to the World Health Organization WHO , the effects of khat consumption are similar to those of strong coffee.
Research published in suggested the effects of khat are seen in the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. Khat has no approved or evidence-based medical uses in the United States.
In countries where its sale and use are legal, khat is sometimes used to treat fatigue, headaches, colds, and depression. Since it is only a mild stimulant, people sometimes mistakenly believe that khat does not have any serious side effects.
But though khat is a relatively low-risk drug, it's associated with an increased risk for a variety of medical complications, including:. It's unclear whether the health risks associated with khat use are directly related to the drug cathinone, the consumption of caffeinated drinks that intensify the high, or if they're partially related to inhalation of second-hand smoke in poorly ventilated chewing houses.
Additionally, many people who use khat do not wash the leaves before chewing they believe washing the leaves will reduce the drug's potency , so some of these health problems may also be the result of toxic pesticides. Mental health conditions associated with khat use, including psychosis , have been documented but are not well understood. Khat use is also associated with symptoms of depression, mood swings, and violent behavior.
Research has indicated that khat use can cause relationship and social difficulties, particularly when its use takes men away from their families for extended periods and when a large amount of money is spent on the drug. Over the last few decades, a small number of deaths have been identified by researchers as being directly or indirectly associated with the use of khat.
If you are concerned that a loved one is using khat, there are some behavior and physical signs and symptoms you can look for. Signs that someone is using khat can include:. Chewing khat releases the drug slowly. It does not produce the immediate and intense high of addictive drugs such as cocaine and meth.
Khat chewing is traditionally an all-male social activity. Women who chew khat tend to do so alone and in secrecy, putting them at increased risk for dependence. Once consumed, the effects of khat peak after approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The drug has a half-life of approximately three hours. Khat might be an addictive drug. The substance is believed to create a physical addiction similar to that of caffeine. However, it is hard to differentiate dependence from addiction to the psychoactive compounds in khat, as there is a lack of criteria to make such a determination.
Research has found that khat use is often associated with the use of other addictive substances. For example, a study of Yemeni subjects living in the UK found an association between nicotine use and khat chewing. More research is needed to determine the addictive potential of khat. The severity of withdrawal symptoms ranges from mild to severe, depending on the frequency, amount, and duration of the person's khat use. The symptoms people experience when withdrawing from khat tend to be relatively mild.
The type of help you will need and how much help you need if you want to stop using khat will depend on how long you have been using, how much of the drug you use, and the severity of the symptoms you have related to using and stopping khat.
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