noun
- An evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose leaves are chewed as a stimulant.
Usage: Also spelled 'khat' or 'qat'; The leaves contain alkaloids that produce mild euphoria and increased alertness
Examples
- Kat leaves are traditionally chewed in Yemen and Somalia.
- The stimulant properties of kat have made it popular in East African cultures for centuries.
- In some countries, kat is a controlled substance due to its psychoactive effects.
- Farmers in Ethiopia cultivate kat as a cash crop.
- Chewing kat can cause increased heart rate and reduced appetite.