Other terms used for Khat: Abyssinian tea, African salad, oat, kat, chat, and catha. It is also referred to as qat in Yemen, tschat in Ethiopia, and miraa in Kenya.

How do people use Khat?

- Khat is typically chewed like tobacco.
- The fresh leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub are chewed, and then retained in the cheek and chewed intermittently to release the active drug.
- Dried plant material can be made into tea or a paste that can be chewed.
- Khat can be smoked and sprinkled on food.

What does Khat look like?

Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat that is sold and abused is usually just the leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub.

What are the consequences of using Khat?

- Widespread frequent use of Khat impacts productivity because it tends to reduce worker motivation.
- Khat can induce manic behaviors, hyperactivity, and hallucinations.
- There are reports of Khat-induced psychosis.
- Common side effects include anorexia, tahycardia, hypertension, insomnia, and gastric disorders.
- Chronic Khat abuse can result in symptoms such as physical exhaustion, violence, and suicidal depression.