I recently bumped onto a guy chewing on something at a bus stop and I wondered what he was chewing. This was until I realized it was Khat. I don't know much about this drug or herb or plant or whatever they call it. Is it really an addictive drug? It's extensively used in countries like Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
Yes, Khat is addictive and it also messes people's heads up. If I remember correctly, Khat is where both amphetamine (Speed/Meth) and M-Cat (Mephedrone) come from. I've never tried it but I imagine the effects are similar. There are a lot of people in my area who use Khat.
Nobody uses this in my area but it is really popular in some countries. However, it is just as addicting and damaging as meth. The effects are pretty similar. I have read articles where users defend thier use by stating that khat is "natural" but don't be fooled, Sparkster is right - this is where speed and meth are derived from, in a similar way to opium poppies.
Yep, it's true that users like to defend their use of it on the grounds that it grows naturally. Marijuana users also have a tendency to claim it must be safe to use because it grows naturally but, of course, as you pointed out, heroin grows naturally in poppies whereas cocaine grows naturally in coca plants - it doesn't mean they are safe. Many poisons also grow naturally but can kill you instantly if consumed.
"Natural" is an invalid argument when it comes to justifying the abuse of a drug. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-suppl...iveingredientid=536&activeingredientname=khat From other sources I learned that most users take it a sleep suppressant. Anyway, going back to my original point, would those who claim they use khat because it grows naturally ingest poisonous plants? They also grow naturally, don't they?
You're right but I think these people are implementing harm reduction philosophies. In my opinion khat is probably not as harmful as methamphetamine or cocaine but it can be abused. I remember reading that the risk of psychosis is increased in someone who is abusing khat, psychosis causes great harm to other people so I also would not call khat safe.
I really had to Google what Khat is because its the first time I've heard of it. I guess the opinion about Khat is split in half, though it might not be considered as something people can really get high from and its fine as long as the country doesn't consider it as an illegal substance. Then again, people will see it as a free pass on something that will give them the buzz they want and abuse won't be too far behind it.
I actually watched a television documentary about Khat fairly recently (I say recently, it was probably a year or two ago). The documentary included interviews with long-term Khat users who live locally to me. Many of them admitted that their long-term use had caused psychosis and mental problems, others admitted that their lives had been destroyed by it. Some of them were unable to think or speak clearly and found it difficult to maintain relationships, even with their own family members. I think whereas Mephedrone and Amphetamine are refined and purified to be made even stronger, the problem with Khat is not the strength of those substances, but the fact that it's a combination of those substances (even though it may be less potent).
I have never seen anyone chew it here in America, but I learned that it is extremely popular in Africa. People get hooked on it to deal with pain and other ailments. I am not to familiar with this plant, but I read that it turns your teeth green and rots them?