Title: Long-term effects of khat use
Course: Non-Communicable Diseases, Emergency Care and Mental Health Part 2 - Ethiopia (Full)

Long-term effects of khat use

People who have used khat for more than a few years may manifest with a range of serious symptoms (see Figure 14.5), including depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, sleep disturbance, fatigue, suspiciousness, hallucinations, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, dry mouth, burned lips, worn teeth, disturbances in heart rhythm, heart attack and loss of libido.

Figure 14.5 Long-term use of khat can lead to many problems, including bad teeth. This man grinds the khat in a pestle because his teeth are too worn to chew it. (Photo: Basiro Davey)