cathinone

chemical compound

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

Cathinone is a stimulant found in the leaves and young buds of the khat plant (Catha edulis). This evergreen tree or shrub is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. When khat is chewed, cathinone and cathine are released, producing mild euphoria, excitement, and talkativeness.1

While central to social life in some regions, khat and cathinone are controlled substances in many parts of the world, including Europe and the United States. The plant itself is a cash crop in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Ethiopia.1

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khat
Effects and regulation
…young buds release the stimulants cathinone and cathine, which produce a mild euphoria. Khat-chewing creates feelings of excitement, and individuals often become very talkative under its influence. Although the drug is central to social life in some countries, the plant and cathinone are considered controlled substances in much of Europe,…
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…young buds release the stimulants cathinone and cathine, which produce a mild euphoria. Khat-chewing creates feelings of excitement, and individuals often become very talkative under its influence. Although the drug is central to social life in some countries, the plant and cathinone are considered controlled substances in much of Europe,…
Read More