{
  "abstract": "In Ethiopia, khat (Catha edulis) leaves, containing amphetamine-like alkaloids, are chewed for their psycho-stimulating effects. Khat use has been associated with psychosis. In a psychosis etiology framework, we investigated whether season, fluctuations of khat availability and khat use are associated with khat-induced psychotic experiences and whether trauma load moderates this association.\n\nIn Southwestern Ethiopia, a cohort of 685 men aged 18-40 years were interviewed twice, during dry and after rainy season (low vs. high khat availability). Khat use was assessed by urine immunoassay and self-report. Trauma load and psychotic experiences were assessed by trained local interviewers.\n\nKhat use increased after the rainy season (p < 0.0001). Khat use and seasonality predicted khat-induced psychotic experiences. Main findings comprise increased odds of psychotic experiences among immunoassay-positive individuals with high trauma load. A potential additional interaction with recent trauma emerged. Findings support sensitization-related mechanisms but require replication in larger samples with longer follow-up.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Konstanz"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 14,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. Odenwald"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Oetzel"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. F. G. A. Atkinson"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Widmann"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Mekonnen"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Soboka"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Mueller-Bamouh"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Suleman"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Tessema"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. W. Toennes"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Mattheisen"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. G. Schulze"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Tesfaye"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Adorjan"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2dqteah06ds0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112v1.full",
  "id": "e2dqteah06ds0",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "psychiatry and clinical psychology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2738|Schizophrenia research and treatment"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214614982",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2dqteah06ds0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:35Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.27.26364112v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:psychiatry and clinical psychology",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Environmental etiology of psychotic experiences in Ethiopia: Effects of khat use, trauma load and seasonality",
  "title_text": "Environmental etiology of psychotic experiences in Ethiopia: Effects of khat use, trauma load and seasonality",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:35Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2dqteah06ds0",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}