# data[].attributes.body
Plant that grows in highland areas in Africa and Western Asia

Consumers use only leaves or tender stems of the shrub

Work it into a wad in the cheek

Has significant concentrations of alkaloids: 120 mg of Cathine, 36 mg of Cathinone, and 8 mg of Norephedrine in 100 g of frsh khat

While scientists are not sure of the exact effects of alkaloids, common alkaloids (such as codeine, morphine, and nicotine) are often harmful

Stimulant

Primarily from Cathinone

Regarded as natural amphetamine

"Khat." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behavior, edited by Pamela Korsmeyer and Henry R. Kranzler, 3rd ed., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2009, pp. 344-349. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2699700263/GVRL?u=lom_inac&sid=GVRL&xid=fd78083c. Accessed 17 May 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Scientific name: Catha edulis
2. Cat
3. Chat
4. Gad
5. Kaht
6. Miraa
7. Tschut

"Khat." AltCareDex Alternative Medicines, Truven Health Analytics, 2015. Health & Wellness Resource Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A431619177/HWRC?u=lom_inac&sid=HWRC&xid=b325428e. Accessed 17 May 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
Stimulates CNS

Short-term

Initial euphoria complemented by talkativeness

Helps with social interaction

Soon transforms to melancholy

Chronic chewers often chew excessively to avoid this stage

Longer Term

Disrupts sleep patterns

Affects mental wellbeing

Causes physiological dependence

High levels of intoxications triggers "loss of appetite, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and depression"

Mild withdrawal

"Khat." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behavior, edited by Pamela Korsmeyer and Henry R. Kranzler, 3rd ed., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2009, pp. 344-349. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2699700263/GVRL?u=lom_inac&sid=GVRL&xid=fd78083c. Accessed 17 May 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
Originally used by Islamic leaders to stay awake during Ramadan

Merchants used it for social interaction

Farmers consistently chewed while working

Farmers who sowed khat used profits to spend on alcohol

This led khat's label as an indirect drug

Used primarily in Ethiopia, Yemen, and Kenya

"Khat." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behavior, edited by Pamela Korsmeyer and Henry R. Kranzler, 3rd ed., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2009, pp. 344-349. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2699700263/GVRL?u=lom_inac&sid=GVRL&xid=fd78083c. Accessed 17 May 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
Completely illegal in the US

Legal in

Djibouti

Jordan

Kenya

Ethiopia

Somalia

Turkey

Controlled substance

Yemen

Hanibal, and Global Legal Research Directorate Staff. “Legal Status of Khat in Selected Jurisdictions.” Apple Computers: This Month in Business History (Business Reference Services, Library of Congress), Victor, 1 May 2015, www.loc.gov/law/help/legal-status-of-khat/index.php.

# data[].attributes.body
Not very well known to an American teen

Increases dopamine levels

If used, possibly at a social gathering

“Let's Talk About Khat.” NIDA for Teens, teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/lets-talk-about-khat.