Alternative names
Catha edulis Forsk.
IUPAC Name
CATHINONE
Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Khat refers to the leaves and the young shoots of the plant Catha edulis Forsk., a species belonging to the plant family Celastraceae. It is also written and/or known as qat, q’at, kat, kath, gat, chat, tschat (Ethiopia), miraa Kenya) and murungu. The dried leaves of khat are known as Abyssinian tea or Arabian tea.
Previous review
Khat had been considered and reviewed by the Expert Committee many years previously, and at its thirty-third meeting the Committee pre-reviewed khat and concluded that there was sufficient information on this substance to justify a critical review (3).
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
The major psychoactive compounds found in khat are cathinone and cathine norpseudoephedrine), which are scheduled under the 1971 Convention, and norephedrine, which is controlled under the 1988 Convention. The plant contains only the (–)-enantiomer of cathinone, which has the same absolute configuration as S-(+)-amphetamine. Use of khat produces a state of euphoria and increased alertness. It can also produce insomnia and an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. Psychotic reactions induced by khat use have also been reported.
Dependence potential
There is inconsistent data regarding the dependence potential of khat. Withdrawal symptoms after prolonged use may include loss of energy, lethargy, depressive feelings and slight trembling, but these symptoms are mild and resolve rapidly. Some tolerance may also develop.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
Khat leaves are chewed habitually in the south-western part of the Arabian Peninsula and in East Africa. However, khat chewing has spread to other African countries and to Australia, Europe and the USA. Daily consump- tion of khat may have negative effects on the social and economic life of the user. Khat is used in social gatherings.
Therapeutic usefulness
No confirmed therapeutic usefulness has been identified for khat.
Recommendation
The Committee reviewed the data on khat and determined that the potential for abuse and dependence is low. The level of abuse and threat to public health is not significant enough to warrant international control. Therefore, the Committee did not recommend the scheduling of khat.
The Committee recognized that social and some health problems result from the excessive use of khat and suggested that national educational campaigns should be adopted to discourage use that may lead to these adverse consequences.
Khat refers to the leaves and the young shoots of the plant Catha edulis Forsk., a species belonging to the plant family Celastraceae. It is also written and/or known as qat, q’at, kat, kath, gat, chat, tschat (Ethiopia), miraa Kenya) and murungu. The dried leaves of khat are known as Abyssinian tea or Arabian tea.
Previous review
Khat had been considered and reviewed by the Expert Committee many years previously, and at its thirty-third meeting the Committee pre-reviewed khat and concluded that there was sufficient information on this substance to justify a critical review (3).
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
The major psychoactive compounds found in khat are cathinone and cathine norpseudoephedrine), which are scheduled under the 1971 Convention, and norephedrine, which is controlled under the 1988 Convention. The plant contains only the (–)-enantiomer of cathinone, which has the same absolute configuration as S-(+)-amphetamine. Use of khat produces a state of euphoria and increased alertness. It can also produce insomnia and an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. Psychotic reactions induced by khat use have also been reported.
Dependence potential
There is inconsistent data regarding the dependence potential of khat. Withdrawal symptoms after prolonged use may include loss of energy, lethargy, depressive feelings and slight trembling, but these symptoms are mild and resolve rapidly. Some tolerance may also develop.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
Khat leaves are chewed habitually in the south-western part of the Arabian Peninsula and in East Africa. However, khat chewing has spread to other African countries and to Australia, Europe and the USA. Daily consump- tion of khat may have negative effects on the social and economic life of the user. Khat is used in social gatherings.
Therapeutic usefulness
No confirmed therapeutic usefulness has been identified for khat.
Recommendation
The Committee reviewed the data on khat and determined that the potential for abuse and dependence is low. The level of abuse and threat to public health is not significant enough to warrant international control. Therefore, the Committee did not recommend the scheduling of khat.
The Committee recognized that social and some health problems result from the excessive use of khat and suggested that national educational campaigns should be adopted to discourage use that may lead to these adverse consequences.
ECDD Recommendation
Scheduling/control not currently recommended
Link to full TRS
who_trs_942.pdf526.62 KB