Khat Addiction

Abstract

For centuries, the khat leaves have been chewed for their mild stimulating and euphorogenic properties, becoming an integral part of the culture of certain ethnic groups in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Yemen. The leaves contain cathinone and other alkaloids that are similar to amphetamine. For centuries, khat remained a niche crop locally restricted, culturally integrated, and socially controlled. Throughout the last century, the development of transportation and markets beyond producing regions led to an economic boom of the sector. Today, khat is consumed by the general population across the Horn of Africa and Yemen and informal and excessive use patterns have developed. While the addictive properties of the khat alkaloids had been clearly shown, few studies ever investigated the leaves themselves. Although there is an increase in compulsive use and dependency exist, research on khat addiction is still in its infancy. Current evidence supports that excessive and prolonged khat use can produce a dependency and neurocognitive syndrome that is similar to amphetamine addiction. Excessive use patterns seem to be favored by disadvantaged social conditions. The increase of khat use is associated to social adversities; however, causal evidence is weak. A controversy continues to divide the public in the khat countries that is reflected in the existing regulatory systems.