Khat
Khat (Cathinone) is a flowering plant which is native to East Africa and the Middle East. When the plant is extracted it contains an alkaloid known as Cathinone which resembles amphetamine in its actions.
Basically Khat is a brain stimulant which can cause excitement and an elevated feeling. The plant is widely abused for these effects and is currently banned for personal use in most western countries. The Khat plant is a small shrub with non distinctive features. It has been widely grown and used in Africa by the natives in rituals and religious rites. Even today, the plant is widely grown in most of East and Central Africa.
The leaves are chewed or the dried extracts can be smoked or mixed with beverages. When ingested, it gradually produces a feeling of excitement and euphoria which can last the whole day.
Many individuals in East Africa can be seen chewing on the plant while working, driving taxis and in social gatherings. In some countries more Khat is grown than even fresh vegetables - profits from the sell of Khat are high and thus it is widely grown. There is no doubt that khat is a psycho-stimulant and is addictive. It can produce a variety of psychic effects ranging from hallucinations, hyperactivity and manic behavior.
When one stops using Khat suddenly, withdrawal symptoms appear. In the USA, Canthine is a schedule 1 drug and is illegal to possess.