The subjective effects of chewing Qat leaves in human volunteers.

Background: Chewing the leaves of the Qat plant (Catha edulis) for their pleasurable central stimulant effect is a habit that is widespread in Yemen and certain areas of East Africa. The use of the Qat leaves is believed to cause a variety of gastrointestinal and genito-urinary symptoms as well as sleep disturbance. We studied the subjective effects of chewing Qat leaves in human volunteers.

Khat chewing and arterial blood pressure. A randomized controlled clinical trial of alpha-1 and selective beta-1 adrenoceptor blockade.

Objective: The aim of this work was to study prospectively the effect of alpha-1 and selective beta-1 adrenoceptor blockade on cardiovascular effects of khat chewing in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Sixty-three male volunteers chewed khat for 3 hours on 3 separate occasions, 1 or 2 weeks apart. Fifty age and weight matched male controls did not chew.

The effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood.

Objective: Chewing fresh leaves of the Khat plant (Catha edulis), represents a widespread habit with a deep-rooted sociocultural tradition in Yemen. Khat is chewed for its central stimulant properties and to dispel feeling of fatigue and its use is believed to be associated with disturbance of mood. We studied the effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood by using a standard questionnaire method, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.

The effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood.

Objective: Chewing fresh leaves of the Khat plant (Catha edulis), represents a widespread habit with a deep-rooted sociocultural tradition in Yemen. Khat is chewed for its central stimulant properties and to dispel feeling of fatigue and its use is believed to be associated with disturbance of mood. We studied the effect of chewing Khat leaves on human mood by using a standard questionnaire method, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.