Cathinone

Cathinone is a naturally occurring stimulant alkaloid in khat, chemically related to amphetamine and responsible for much of khat’s stimulant effect.

Connect

Amphetamine: A synthetic central nervous system stimulant that increases signaling by dopamine and norepinephrine. Cathinone shares amphetamine’s core structure and stimulant profile.
Khat: A flowering shrub whose leaves and shoots are chewed for their stimulant effects, especially in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Cathinone is the principal stimulant alkaloid in fresh khat.
Stimulant: A substance that increases activity in the central nervous system. Cathinone belongs to this broad drug class.
Sympathomimetic effects: Physiological effects caused by activation of the sympathetic nervous system, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. Cathinone’s stimulant action can produce this pattern of bodily responses.
Cocaine: A tropane alkaloid stimulant derived from coca plants that blocks monoamine reuptake. Both are plant-derived stimulants, but they differ in structure and pharmacology.
Monoamine transporter: A membrane protein that moves dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin across cell membranes. Cathinone’s stimulant effects involve interference with monoamine transport.
Catha edulis: An evergreen shrub in the family Celastraceae, native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This is the plant species that produces cathinone in its young leaves and shoots.
Substance use disorder: A pattern of substance use that causes clinically significant impairment or distress. Repeated khat use can become compulsive and impair daily functioning.
Hypertension: Persistently elevated blood pressure that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cathinone-related sympathetic activation can acutely raise blood pressure.
Ephedrine: A naturally occurring alkaloid and medication that acts as a sympathomimetic stimulant. Ephedrine is another plant-associated stimulant, with different chemical structure and prominent medical uses.