Adverse Health Effects of Khat: A Review

Kindie, Molla Abebe Samue

doi:10.4172/2327-4972.1000154

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Minor reactions include overtalkativeness, over-activity, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, agitation, and aggression. However, chewers can show a range of experiences, from minor reactions to developing a psychotic illness [15]. Though intoxication with khat is self-limiting, chronic consumption can lead to mental health impairment, possibly contributing to personality disorders and mental deterioration [2].…”

Section: Khat and Central Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though intoxication with khat is self-limiting, chronic consumption can lead to mental health impairment, possibly contributing to personality disorders and mental deterioration [2]. The main psychiatric manifestations linked to the use of khat are a short-lived schizophreniform psychotic illness, mania, and, more rarely, depression [15].…”

Section: Khat and Central Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cathinone, which is found in khat, has direct effects on the cardiovascular system due to indirect sympathomimetic activity increasing heart rate and blood pressure in humans, significantly increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressures, which persist for three to four hours after the onset of khat chewing [15,19]. Khat chewers experience an increase in heart rate, body temperature, and sweating.…”

Section: Khat and Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tea in the Morning and Khat Afternoon: Health Threats Due to Khat Chewing

Malasevskaia¹,

Alawadhi²,

Mohammed

2020

Cureus

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Khat or qat (Catha edulis) is a flowering plant with an Arabic name ‫ﻗ‬ ‫ﺎ‬ ‫ت‬ , regularly named as qāt, also is known by various descriptive names, such as Abyssinian tea, Somali tea, Arabian tea, Miraa, Jima, and Kafta in its endemic regions of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Fresh leaves and tops of khat are chewed or dried and consumed as a tea to attain a state of euphoria and excitement; it also has appetite-reducing effects. Traditionally, khat is used as a socializing habit in Yemen and is also widely cultivated because of its high income. However, in recent years the plant has been reported in England,

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Section: Khat and Central Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Khat and Central Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Khat and Cardiovascular Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tea in the Morning and Khat Afternoon: Health Threats Due to Khat Chewing

Malasevskaia¹,

Alawadhi²,

Mohammed

2020

Cureus

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“…4 Khat is a flowering evergreen plant under Celastraceae. 5 Cathinone in khat leaves has amphetamine like-structure and functions. 6 Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Djibouti are among East African countries where khat chewing is common.…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 The increase in the prevalence of khat use is because of the knowledge gap and inconsistent findings in research. 5,9 Indeed, the use of psychostimulants is not dependent on the knowledge of the substance user. However, most of the individuals start chewing khat is because of the limited knowledge they have on the consequence of khat chewing.…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Rewarding Effect of <em>Catha edulis</em> (Khat) and the Sex Differences to the Responses in Swiss Albino Mice</p>

Limenie

Tolessa

Makonnen

et al. 2020

PRBM

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Background: Burden of substance abuse is becoming a worldwide problem. One of the psychostimulant plants widely consumed in Ethiopia and other East African countries is Catha edulis Forsk (khat). Most of the users claim that its stimulatory effect is the determinant factor that makes them use. However, its rewarding and reinforcing potential and variation between sexes have not been investigated. This study was, therefore, designed to measure the rewarding effect of khat extract (ke) in the addiction mice model of both sexes. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight Swiss albino mice of both sexes (age 6-7 weeks) weighing 21-33 gm were used. The mice were conditioned to ke (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w). The control group was conditioned to tween 80 (2%, v/v) in distilled water. The reinforcing effect of khat was evaluated using the conditioned place preference paradigm. The classical pairing to the extract was made using the place conditioning box. Post-conditioning tests have been conducted four times and the average values were taken for analysis using SPSS version 21.0. Results: Time spent in the khat-paired compartment was significantly higher for mice conditioned to ke 200 mg/kg (p<0.05) and ke 300 mg/kg (p<0.001). The rewarding effect of khat was strong in females at a higher dose when compared to the same sex of mice conditioned to the vehicle (p<0.001) or male mice conditioned to the same dose of khat extract (p<0.05). Repeated administration increased khat rewarding sensitization at all doses. Though the crude khat extract did not affect the food consumption and total body weight, water consumption was significantly less in mice received ke 100 mg/kg (p<0.01), where it was significantly higher in mice received ke 300 mg/kg (p<0.01). Sniffing (p<0.05) and climbing (p<0.05) psychomotor activities of mice were also affected by the crude khat extract. Conclusion: Mice showed place conditioning to khat extract, and the response was significantly higher in female mice. The crude khat extract did not affect food consumption and total body weight. The mechanisms behind the rewarding response of khat extract and sexual differences should be investigated.

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