Khat is a plant whose leaves and stems are recreationally chewed by people to elevate mood. The World Health Organization has mentioned that khat can create drug dependence in people and hence it is banned in countries like the U.S.A. and Canada.
What is a khat?
Khat is a naturally-occurring stimulant substance that looks like marijuana. The two main psychoactive ingredients, which act as stimulants in khat are cathine and cathinone. It provides euphoric effects less potent than amphetamine. It can be chewed, smoked, snorted, and in rare cases injected to get high. You can also drink khat-infused tea for euphoric effects.
What are the fatal symptoms of khat overdose?
You may use khat for various desirable effects like increased energy, enhanced mental alertness, and mild euphoria. But, you may develop a psychological dependency on khat overtime. Khat affects your central nervous system to create a sense of euphoria and hyper-awareness. Khat overdose may also effects other functional systems like gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems.
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Here are a few symptoms of khat overdose –
1. Mental effects –
Negative effects of khat on your brain may include aggression, violent behaviors, suicidal ideation, anxiety, restlessness, depression, and insomnia.
2. Cardiovascular effects –
Large doses of khat affects your blood vessels to cause the heart to pump faster. This leads to various cardiovascular effects like increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and heart arrhythmia which may cause heart attacks or strokes.
3. Gastrointestinal effects –
Khat overdose may result in severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and reduced urination.
4. Dental effects –
It includes discoloration of the teeth and gums, cavities, and other gum diseases.
5. Pulmonary effects –
Khat abuse is also linked with pneumonia, emphysema, and lung and liver cancer.