Khat, an Ethiopian stimulant, contains which compounds and is typically chewed or brewed?

Khat, an Ethiopian stimulant, contains which compounds and is typically chewed or brewed?

• A. Nicotine and caffeine
• B. Cathinone and cathine
• C. Cocaine
• D. Marijuana

Answer: (B)

Khat contains the stimulant alkaloids cathinone and cathine. Fresh khat leaves release cathinone when chewed, producing the energizing effects people associate with the plant. As leaves dry or are stored, cathinone degrades to cathine, which is a milder stimulant, so traditional use can involve chewing fresh leaves or making a tea from dried leaves. The other substances listed don’t come from khat—nicotine and caffeine come from different plants, cocaine is from the coca plant, and marijuana comes from cannabis.

Khat contains the stimulant alkaloids cathinone and cathine. Fresh khat leaves release cathinone when chewed, producing the energizing effects people associate with the plant. As leaves dry or are stored, cathinone degrades to cathine, which is a milder stimulant, so traditional use can involve chewing fresh leaves or making a tea from dried leaves. The other substances listed don’t come from khat—nicotine and caffeine come from different plants, cocaine is from the coca plant, and marijuana comes from cannabis.