Observations placeholder
Khat
Identifier
005804
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Cathinone, or Benzoylethanamine, is a monoamine alkaloid found in the shrub Catha edulis (khat) and is chemically similar to ephedrine, cathine and other amphetamines
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/cathinone/cathinone.shtml
A description of the experience
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1988 Oct;78(4):458-61. Khat-induced hypnagogic hallucinations. Granek M, Shalev A, Weingarten AM. Outpatient Clinic, Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Khat is a plant whose leaves are chewed for their stimulating effect. This effect is attributed to cathinone, an alkaloid identical to dextroamphetamine. Khat chewing is widespread among eastern African and Yemenite populations and is believed to be innocuous. Our experience shows, however, that a substantial number of chronic khat chewers experience persistent hypnagogic hallucinations - a symptom that has not yet been described. Three vignettes illustrates this phenomena, which often interferes with psychiatric diagnosis. Different explanatory models are discussed, among them chronic suppression of REM sleep.
PMID: 3227966