'Handas': What exactly is the feeling muguka users get when the high kicks in?

People who consume muguka and miraa have explained the actual high they get from the consumption of the widely-popular plant, saying that, unlike with alcohol and other drugs, theirs is a specialised effect.

Ordinarily, a basic alcohol user may start experiencing behavioral changes as the liquor starts to hit their body.

As they keep drinking, and the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream increases, they're hit with a feeling of euphoria and with it comes less inhibition and general carefree happiness.

They will now tend to talk more, become more sociable and exhibit open excitement as the dopamine high continues to manifest.

And since alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways, it can then start affecting the way the brain works.

At this juncture, one starts to experience instability with their emotions, lack of self control, slurring of speech and drowsiness.

Prolonged drinking sessions will eventually lead to one losing their critical judgment, and may cause disastrous consequences.

Muguka users, however, have defended their choice of stimulant, saying they prefer it because it provides them with a special kind of feeling which, they claim, is harmless and is not detrimental to the society in general.

Defending the use of the substance, Alex Kimanzi, a muguka trader in Pangani, Nairobi, sought to know how users of the stimulant had occasioned road accidents or violence in homes.

"When did you last hear someone high on muguka had caused a road accident? Every day, we see road accidents caused by drunk drivers. These drivers, sometimes, kill entire families, leaving a trail of destruction and generational loss behind. There is no record of muguka users crashing their cars at breakneck speeds," he argued.

Kimanzi also said the effects of muguka are far less harmful than those of other hard drugs and alcohol as evidenced in the society.

"Look at most homes across this country - they're broken by alcoholic fathers who have neglected their responsibilities and sometimes, who even come home drunk, beat up their wives and even, in extreme cases, cause fatalities. The violence exhibited by users of other substances is totally alien to users of muguka," he added.

Miriam Karegi, another miraa user based at the Pangani Shopping Centre, also defended the use of the substance, saying that it helped her become more organized and active.

"Look at people who take alcohol, for instance, after a heavy night of drinking, can they wake up early in the morning and be active and useful to the society? Of course not. But as for me, even after I stay up all night chewing miraa, I can still be active and resourceful the following day," she said.

"It enables me to be more organized, focus on my work, concentrate on my responsibilities while at the same time feeling good and reflective."

But what is 'Handas'? The slang word describes the dopamine effect one gets after a session of miraa-chewing.

Just like miraa, muguka contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant which causes greater sociability, excitement, and mild euphoria. It can also cause mild loss of appetite.

The stimulants, similar to amphetamines, speed up the messages between the brain and the body, leaving the user feeling extra excited and also unusually calm and more conscious of their environment.

As the chewing session continues, the high increases. Now, one may experience increased talkativeness, alertness and improved concentration, liveliness and, eventually, heightened meditation.

After several hours of usage, 'handas' may lead a user to introspection - they appear to dive deeper into their thoughts while at the same time analysing critical phenomena more intricately.

"It's a very calming feeling. I feel at peace with everyone, I'm able to think through my life better, I'm able to forge better relationships with people and also able to be more active in my duties," James Kamotho, a user, says.

However, the usage of the substance has its downsides, too.

According to WebMD, continuous use of the substance may lead to various complications, including sleep-related issues, liver disease, fertility problems such as impotence and lower sperm count, digestive problems such as constipation, sore, inflamed mouth and psychological dependence.

To reduce harm, users are advised to avoid chewing one bunch after another, have a break between sessions, eat regular nutritious foods, try to get a good night’s sleep and wash the khat thoroughly before use to remove any pesticides.