I'd be shocked if you can't find qat at these places. It's worth a try; I'd describe it as amphetamine salad. It's at about the midpoint between a strong cup of coffee and adderall.
An odd thing about qat is that despite being a stimulant it fills the role of alcohol in Yemeni culture—it's what men blow their salaries on, go on benders with, sometimes even destroy their families over. It's fascinating to see a drug with completely different physical effects exhibit so many of the same social pathologies as alcohol.
Don't chew it too often or it will stain your teeth.
Not just the social fabric, but Qat / Khat (which is mildly narcotic) is wreaking havoc on Yemen's water resources. Don't support its production by purchasing it. My Yemeni relatives hate it.
According to wikipedia it is not legal to sell or consume in the US.
>In the United States (US) and Turkey, the botanical specimen (plant) Catha edulis is not prohibited, but the consumption and distribution of harvested leaves or possession for recreational use is illegal.
Hmm, I think that's not too likely, unless someone is growing it in TX. Qat needs to be very fresh - flying it halfway around the world is less practical than unroasted coffee beans.
Reminds me of the betel nut such as in paan, but it's not nearly as strong it seems like, more akin to caffeine or nicotine in strength. It's cancerous though (and will stain your teeth too) so don't eat too much either.
I also think any absorbed-through-the-mouth stimulant probably causes dental problems… probably by constricting blood vessels? Maybe could be combined with some topical-acting only dilator?
An odd thing about qat is that despite being a stimulant it fills the role of alcohol in Yemeni culture—it's what men blow their salaries on, go on benders with, sometimes even destroy their families over. It's fascinating to see a drug with completely different physical effects exhibit so many of the same social pathologies as alcohol.
Don't chew it too often or it will stain your teeth.