What is cocaine? Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. Although health care providers can use it for valid medical purposes, such as local anesthesia for some surgeries, cocaine is an illegal drug. As a street drug, cocaine looks like a fine, white, crystal powder. Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. They may also mix it with other drugs such as the stimulant amphetamine. ©Africa Studio/Shutterstock Popular nicknames for cocaine include: • Blow • Coke • Crack • Rock • Snow How do people use cocaine?

People snort cocaine powder through the nose, or they rub it into their gums. Others dissolve the powder in water and inject it into the bloodstream. Some people inject a combination of cocaine and heroin, called a Speedball.

Crack cocaine, also known simply as crack, is a free base form of cocaine that can be smoked. Crack offers a short but intense high to smokers. The Manual of.

Another popular method of use is to smoke cocaine that has been processed to make a rock crystal (also called 'freebase cocaine'). The crystal is heated to produce vapors that are inhaled into the lungs. This form of cocaine is called Crack, which refers to the crackling sound of the rock as it's heated. People who use cocaine often take it in binges—taking the drug repeatedly within a short time, at increasingly higher doses—to maintain their high. Image by NIDA The brain's reward circuit, which controls feelings of pleasure How does cocaine affect the brain?

Cocaine increases levels of the natural chemical messenger dopamine in brain circuits controlling pleasure and movement. Normally, the brain releases dopamine in these circuits in response to potential rewards, like the smell of good food. It then recycles back into the cell that released it, shutting off the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine prevents dopamine from recycling, causing excessive amounts to build up between nerve cells. This flood of dopamine ultimately disrupts normal brain communication and causes cocaine’s high. Short-Term Effects Short-term health effects of cocaine include: • extreme happiness and energy • mental alertness • hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch • irritability • paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others Some people find that cocaine helps them perform simple physical and mental tasks more quickly, although others experience the opposite effect. Large amounts of cocaine can lead to bizarre, unpredictable, and violent behavior.

Cocaine's effects appear almost immediately and disappear within a few minutes to an hour. How long the effects last and how intense they are depend on the method of use. Injecting or smoking cocaine produces a quicker and stronger but shorter-lasting high than snorting. The high from snorting cocaine may last 15 to 30 minutes. The high from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. What are the other health effects of cocaine use?

Other health effects of cocaine use include: • constricted blood vessels • dilated pupils • nausea • raised body temperature and blood pressure • faster heartbeat • tremors and muscle twitches • restlessness Long-Term Effects Some long-term health effects of cocaine depend on the method of use and include the following: • snorting: loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, frequent runny nose, and problems with swallowing. • consuming by mouth: severe bowel decay from reduced blood flow.

• needle injection: higher risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne diseases. However, even people involved with non-needle cocaine use place themselves at a risk for HIV because cocaine impairs judgment, which can lead to risky sexual behavior with infected partners (see ').

Other long-term effects of cocaine use include being malnourished, because cocaine decreases appetite, and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, which may occur after many years of use. In addition, people report irritability and restlessness resulting from cocaine binges, and some also experience severe paranoia, in which they lose touch with reality and have auditory hallucinations—hearing noises that aren't real.

Cocaine, HIV, and Hepatitis Studies have shown that cocaine use speeds up HIV infection. According to research, cocaine impairs immune cell function and promotes reproduction of the HIV virus. Research also suggests that people who are infected with HIV and use cocaine and are infected with HIV may be at also increased their risk for co-infection with contracting hepatitis C, a virus that affects the liver, even if they do not inject drugs. Read more about the connection between cocaine and these diseases in NIDA's Cocaine Research Report:. Can a person overdose on cocaine?

Yes, a person can overdose on cocaine. An overdose occurs when the person uses too much of a drug and has a toxic reaction that results in serious, harmful symptoms or death. An overdose can be intentional or unintentional. Death from overdose can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. Many people who use cocaine also drink alcohol at the same time, which is particularly risky and can lead to overdose.

Others mix cocaine with heroin, another dangerous—and deadly—combination. Some of the most frequent and severe health consequences leading to overdose involve the heart and blood vessels, including irregular heart rhythm and heart attacks, and the nerves, including seizures and strokes.

How can a cocaine overdose be treated? Because cocaine overdose often leads to a heart attack, stroke, or seizure, first responders and emergency room doctors try to treat the overdose by treating these conditions, with the intent of: • restoring blood flow to the heart (heart attack) • restoring oxygen-rich blood supply to the affected part of the brain (stroke) • stopping the seizure How does cocaine use lead to addiction?

As with other drugs, repeated use of cocaine can cause long-term changes in the brain’s reward circuit and other brain systems, which may lead to addiction. The reward circuit eventually adapts to the excess dopamine brought on by the drug. As a result, people take stronger and more frequent doses to achieve the same high and feel relief from initial withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include: • depression • fatigue • increased appetite • unpleasant dreams and insomnia • slowed thinking How can people get treatment for cocaine addiction? Behavioral therapy may be used to treat cocaine addiction. Points to Remember • Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. • Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits.

They may also mix it with other drugs such as the stimulant amphetamine. • People snort cocaine powder through the nose, or rub it into their gums. Others dissolve it in water and inject it or inject a combination of cocaine and heroin, called a Speedball. Another popular method of use is to smoke Crack cocaine.

• Cocaine increases levels of the natural chemical messenger dopamine in brain circuits controlling pleasure and movement. This flood of dopamine ultimately disrupts normal brain communication and causes cocaine's high. • Short-term effects include: • constricted blood vessels • nausea • faster heartbeat • extreme happiness and energy • irritability • paranoia • Long-term effects include: • nosebleeds • severe bowel decay • higher risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne diseases • malnourishment • restlessness • severe paranoia with auditory hallucinations • A person can overdose on cocaine, which can lead to death. • Behavioral therapy may be used to treat cocaine addiction. • While no government-approved medicines are currently available to treat cocaine addiction, researchers are testing some treatments.

Learn More For more information about cocaine, visit: • • For more information about drug use and HIV/AIDS, visit: •.

Key:ZPUCINDJVBIVPJ-LJISPDSOSA-N Y See also: N Y Cocaine, also known as coke, is a strong mostly used as a. It is commonly, inhaled as smoke, or as a solution injected into a. Mental effects may include, an,. Physical symptoms may include a, sweating, and. High doses can result in very. Effects begin within seconds to minutes of use and last between five and ninety minutes.

Cocaine has a small number of accepted medical uses such as and decreasing bleeding during nasal surgery. Cocaine is due to its effect on the in the brain. After a short period of use, there is a high risk that will occur.

Its use also increases the risk of,, lung problems in those who smoke it,, and. Cocaine sold on the street is commonly mixed with, cornstarch,, or sugar, which can result in additional toxicity. Following repeated doses a person may have and be very physically tired. Cocaine acts. This results in greater concentrations of these three in the brain. It can easily cross the and may lead to the breakdown of the barrier. Cocaine is a naturally occurring substance found in the which are mostly grown in South America.

In 2013, 419 kilograms were produced legally. It is estimated that the illegal market for cocaine is 100 to 500 billion USD each year. With further processing can be produced from cocaine. After, cocaine is the most frequently used globally. Between 14 and 21 million people use the drug each year.

Use is highest in North America followed by Europe and South America. Between one and three percent of people in the have used cocaine at some point in their life.

In 2013 cocaine use directly resulted in 4,300 deaths, up from 2,400 in 1990. The leaves of the coca plant have been used by since ancient times. Cocaine was first isolated from the leaves in 1860. Since 1961 the international has required countries to make recreational use of cocaine a.

Cocaine hydrochloride Topical cocaine can be used as a local to help with painful procedures in the mouth or nose. Is one such formulation used for pediatrics.

Cocaine is now predominantly used for nasal and surgery. The major disadvantages of this use are cocaine's potential for toxicity,, and. Medicinal use of cocaine has decreased as other synthetic local anesthetics such as,,, and are now used more often.

If vasoconstriction is desired for a procedure (as it reduces bleeding), the anesthetic is combined with a vasoconstrictor such as. Some specialists occasionally use cocaine within the practice when performing procedures such as nasal. In this scenario dissolved cocaine is soaked into a ball of cotton wool, which is placed in the nostril for the 10–15 minutes immediately before the procedure, thus performing the dual role of both numbing the area to be cauterized, and vasoconstriction.

Even when used this way, some of the used cocaine may be absorbed through oral or nasal mucosa and give systemic effects. [ ] An alternative method of administration for ENT surgery is mixed with and, as. Recreational Cocaine is a powerful nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from fifteen or thirty minutes to an hour. The duration of cocaine's effects depends on the amount taken and the route of administration. Cocaine can be in the form of fine white powder, bitter to the taste.

When inhaled or injected, it causes a numbing effect. Crack cocaine is a smokeable form of cocaine made into small 'rocks' by processing cocaine with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water. Crack cocaine is referred to as 'crack' because of the crackling sounds it makes when heated.

Cocaine use leads to increases in alertness, feelings of well-being and, increased energy and motor activity, and increased feelings of competence and sexuality. A spoon containing baking soda, cocaine, and a small amount of water. Used in a 'poor-man's' crack-cocaine production Many users rub the powder along the gum line, or onto a cigarette filter which is then smoked, which numbs the gums and teeth – hence the colloquial names of 'numbies', 'gummers', or 'cocoa puffs' for this type of administration. This is mostly done with the small amounts of cocaine remaining on a surface after insufflation (snorting). Another oral method is to wrap up some cocaine in rolling paper and swallow () it.

Coca leaves leaves are typically mixed with an alkaline substance (such as ) and chewed into a wad that is retained in the mouth between gum and cheek (much the same as is chewed) and sucked of its juices. The juices are absorbed slowly by the mucous membrane of the inner cheek and by the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed. Alternatively, coca leaves can be infused in liquid and consumed like tea. Ingesting coca leaves generally is an inefficient means of administering cocaine. Because cocaine is and rendered inactive in the acidic stomach, it is not readily absorbed when ingested alone. Only when mixed with a highly alkaline substance (such as lime) can it be absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach.

The efficiency of absorption of orally administered cocaine is limited by two additional factors. First, the drug is partly catabolized by the liver. Second, capillaries in the mouth and esophagus constrict after contact with the drug, reducing the surface area over which the drug can be absorbed. Nevertheless, cocaine metabolites can be detected in the urine of subjects that have sipped even one cup of coca leaf infusion. Orally administered cocaine takes approximately 30 minutes to enter the bloodstream.

Typically, only a third of an oral dose is absorbed, although absorption has been shown to reach 60% in controlled settings. Given the slow rate of absorption, maximum and effects are attained approximately 60 minutes after cocaine is administered by ingestion. While the onset of these effects is slow, the effects are sustained for approximately 60 minutes after their peak is attained.

[ ] Contrary to popular belief, both ingestion and result in approximately the same proportion of the drug being absorbed: 30 to 60%. Compared to ingestion, the faster absorption of insufflated cocaine results in quicker attainment of maximum drug effects. Snorting cocaine produces maximum physiological effects within 40 minutes and maximum psychotropic effects within 20 minutes, however, a more realistic activation period is closer to 5 to 10 minutes. Physiological and psychotropic effects from nasally insufflated cocaine are sustained for approximately 40–60 minutes after the peak effects are attained., an infusion of coca leaves, is also a traditional method of consumption. The tea has often been recommended for travelers in the Andes to prevent. However, its actual effectiveness has never been systematically studied. This method of consumption has been practised for many centuries by the indigenous tribes of South America.

One specific purpose of ancient coca leaf consumption was to increase energy and reduce fatigue in messengers who made multi-day quests to other settlements. [ ] In 1986 an article in the revealed that U.S. Were selling dried coca leaves to be prepared as an infusion as 'Health Inca Tea.' While the packaging claimed it had been 'decocainized', no such process had actually taken place. The article stated that drinking two cups of the tea per day gave a mild, increased, and elevation, and the tea was essentially harmless.

Despite this, the seized several shipments in,,, and several locations on the, and the product was removed from the shelves. Lines of cocaine prepared for insufflation Nasal (known colloquially as 'snorting', 'sniffing', or 'blowing') is a common method of ingestion of recreational powdered cocaine. The drug coats and is absorbed through the lining the. Cocaine's desired euphoric effects are delayed when snorted through the nose by about five minutes. This occurs because cocaine's absorption is slowed by its constricting effect on the blood vessels of the nose.

Insufflation of cocaine also leads to the longest duration of its effects (60–90 minutes). When insufflating cocaine, absorption through the nasal membranes is approximately 30–60%, with higher doses leading to increased absorption efficiency. Any material not directly absorbed through the mucous membranes is collected in and swallowed (this 'drip' is considered pleasant by some and unpleasant by others). In a study of cocaine users, the average time taken to reach peak subjective effects was 14.6 minutes. Any damage to the inside of the nose is because cocaine highly constricts blood vessels – and therefore blood and oxygen/nutrient flow – to that area. Nosebleeds after cocaine insufflation are due to irritation and damage of mucus membranes by foreign particles and adulterants and not the cocaine itself; [ ] as a vasoconstrictor, cocaine acts to reduce bleeding.

Rolled up, hollowed-out, cut, pointed ends of keys, specialized spoons, long, and (clean) tampon applicators are often used to insufflate cocaine. Such devices are often called 'tooters' by users. The cocaine typically is poured onto a flat, hard surface (such as a mirror, CD case or book) and divided into 'bumps', 'lines' or 'rails', and then insufflated. The amount of cocaine in a line varies widely from person to person and occasion to occasion (the purity of the cocaine is also a factor), but one line is generally considered to be a single dose and is typically 35 mg (a 'bump') to 100 mg (a 'rail'). [ – ] As tolerance builds rapidly in the short-term (hours), many lines are often snorted to produce greater effects. [ ] A 2001 study reported that the sharing of straws used to 'snort' cocaine can spread blood diseases such as.

Injection by turning the drug into a solution provides the highest blood levels of drug in the shortest amount of time. Subjective effects not commonly shared with other methods of administration include a ringing in the ears moments after injection (usually when in excess of 120 milligrams) lasting 2 to 5 minutes including and audio distortion. This is colloquially referred to as a 'bell ringer'. In a study of cocaine users, the average time taken to reach peak subjective effects was 3.1 minutes. The euphoria passes quickly. Aside from the toxic effects of cocaine, there is also danger of circulatory from the insoluble substances that may be used to cut the drug.

As with all injected illicit substances, there is a risk of the user contracting blood-borne infections if sterile injecting equipment is not available or used. Additionally, because cocaine is a vasoconstrictor, and usage often entails multiple injections within several hours or less, subsequent injections are progressively more difficult to administer, which in turn may lead to more injection attempts and more consequences from improperly performed injection. [ ] An injected mixture of cocaine and, known as ' is a particularly dangerous combination, as the converse effects of the drugs actually complement each other, but may also mask the symptoms of an overdose. It has been responsible for numerous deaths, including celebrities such as comedians/actors and,,, grunge singer and actor. Experimentally, cocaine injections can be delivered to animals such as to study the mechanisms of cocaine addiction. See also: Inhalation by smoking cocaine is one of the several ways the drug is consumed.

The onset of cocaine's desired euphoric effects is fastest with inhaling cocaine and begins after 3–5 seconds. In contrast, inhalation of cocaine leads to the shortest duration of its effects (5–15 minutes). The two main ways cocaine is smoked are and by using cocaine which has been converted to smokable '. Cocaine is smoked by inhaling the vapor produced when solid cocaine is heated to the point that it sublimates. In a 2000 Brookhaven National Laboratory medical department study, based on self reports of 32 abusers who participated in the study,'peak high' was found at mean of 1.4min +/- 0.5 minutes.

Products of cocaine that occur only when heated/smoked have been shown to change the effect profile, i.e. Anhydroecgonine methyl ester when co-administered with cocaine increases the dopamine in CPu and NAc brain regions, and has M 1- and M 3- receptor affinity. Smoking freebase or crack cocaine is most often accomplished using a pipe made from a small glass tube, often taken from ', small glass tubes with a paper rose that are promoted as romantic gifts. These are sometimes called 'stems', 'horns', 'blasters' and 'straight shooters'.

A small piece of clean heavy copper or occasionally stainless steel scouring pad – often called a 'brillo' (actual contain soap, and are not used) or 'chore' (named for brand copper scouring pads) – serves as a reduction base and flow modulator in which the 'rock' can be melted and boiled to vapor. Crack smokers also sometimes smoke through a with small holes on the side or bottom. [ ] Crack is smoked by placing it at the end of the pipe; a flame held close to it produces vapor, which is then inhaled by the smoker. The effects, felt almost immediately after smoking, are very intense and do not last long – usually 2 to 10 minutes. When smoked, cocaine is sometimes combined with other drugs, such as, often rolled into a joint. Powdered cocaine is also sometimes smoked, though heat destroys much of the chemical; smokers often sprinkle it on cannabis.

[ ] The language referring to paraphernalia and practices of smoking cocaine vary, as do the packaging methods in the street level sale. [ ] Suppository Another way users consume cocaine is by making it into a which they then insert into the anus or vagina. The drug is then absorbed by the membranes of these body parts. Little research has been focused on the suppository (anal or vaginal insertion) method of administration, also known as 'plugging'. This method of administration is commonly administered using an.

Cocaine can be dissolved in water and withdrawn into an oral syringe which may then be lubricated and inserted into the anus or vagina before the plunger is pushed. Anecdotal evidence of its effects is infrequently discussed, possibly due to social taboos in many cultures. The rectum and the vaginal canal is where the majority of the drug would be taken up through the membranes lining its walls.

[ ] Adverse effects Acute. Side effects of chronic cocaine use Chronic cocaine intake causes strong imbalances of transmitter levels in order to compensate extremes. Thus, receptors disappear from the cell surface or reappear on it, resulting more or less in an 'off' or 'working mode' respectively, or they change their susceptibility for binding partners (ligands) – mechanisms called. However, studies suggest cocaine abusers do not show normal age-related loss of (DAT) sites, suggesting cocaine has neuroprotective properties for dopamine neurons. Possible side effects include insatiable hunger, aches, insomnia/oversleeping, lethargy, and persistent runny nose. Depression with suicidal ideation may develop in very heavy users. Finally, a loss of, neurofilament proteins, and other morphological changes appear to indicate a long term damage of dopamine neurons.

All these effects contribute a rise in tolerance thus requiring a larger dosage to achieve the same effect. The lack of normal amounts of serotonin and dopamine in the brain is the cause of the dysphoria and depression felt after the initial high. Physical withdrawal is not dangerous. Physiological changes caused by cocaine withdrawal include vivid and unpleasant dreams, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased appetite and psychomotor retardation or agitation. Physical side effects from chronic smoking of cocaine include,,,, diffuse alveolar infiltrates without effusions, pulmonary and systemic, chest pain, lung trauma, sore throat,, hoarse voice, (shortness of breath), and an aching, -like syndrome. Cocaine,, and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can also cause headaches and gastrointestinal complications such as abdominal pain and nausea.

A common but untrue belief is that the smoking of cocaine chemically breaks down and causes. However, cocaine does often cause involuntary tooth grinding, known as, which can deteriorate tooth enamel and lead to. Additionally, stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and even caffeine cause dehydration and. Since saliva is an important mechanism in maintaining one's oral pH level, chronic stimulant abusers who do not hydrate sufficiently may experience demineralization of their teeth due to the pH of the tooth surface dropping too low (below 5.5). Cocaine use also promotes the. This increase in blood clot formation is attributed to cocaine-associated increases in the activity of, and an increase in the number, activation, and aggregation of. Chronic intranasal usage can degrade the separating the (the ), leading eventually to its complete disappearance.

Due to the absorption of the cocaine from cocaine hydrochloride, the remaining hydrochloride forms a dilute hydrochloric acid. Cocaine may also greatly increase this risk of developing rare autoimmune or connective tissue diseases such as,,,,, and other diseases.

It can also cause a wide array of kidney diseases and kidney failure. Cocaine use leads to an increased risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic. Cocaine use also increases the risk of having a. See also: occurs through overexpression in the, which results in altered in neurons within the. ΔFosB levels have been found to increase upon the use of cocaine. Each subsequent dose of cocaine continues to increase ΔFosB levels with no ceiling of tolerance.

Elevated levels of ΔFosB leads to increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor () levels, which in turn increases the number of branches and present on neurons involved with the nucleus accumbens and areas of the brain. This change can be identified rather quickly, and may be sustained weeks after the last dose of the drug. Transgenic mice exhibiting inducible expression of ΔFosB primarily in the nucleus accumbens and exhibit behavioural responses to cocaine. They self-administer cocaine at lower doses than control, but have a greater likelihood of when the drug is withheld.

ΔFosB increases the expression of subunit GluR2 and also decreases expression of, thereby enhancing sensitivity to reward. Dependence and withdrawal is a form of that develops from regular cocaine use and produces a state with emotional-motivational deficits upon cessation of cocaine use. During pregnancy According to a 2005 review, 'it is unclear whether prenatal cocaine exposure is associated with SIDS.' Pharmacology Pharmacodynamics The pharmacodynamics of cocaine involve the complex relationships of neurotransmitters (inhibiting uptake in rats with ratios of about:: = 2:3, serotonin: = 2:5 ) The most extensively studied effect of cocaine on the is the blockade of the protein. Dopamine released during neural signaling is normally recycled via the transporter; i.e., the transporter binds the transmitter and pumps it out of the synaptic cleft back into the neuron, where it is taken up into storage.

Cocaine binds tightly at the dopamine transporter forming a complex that blocks the transporter's function. The dopamine transporter can no longer perform its reuptake function, and thus accumulates in the. Cocaine's affects certain serotonin (5-HT) receptors; in particular, it has been shown to antagonize the, which is a. The overabundance of 5-HT3 receptors in cocaine conditioned rats display this trait, however the exact effect of 5-HT3 in this process is unclear. The (particularly the subtypes 5-HT2AR, 5-HT2BR and 5-HT2CR) are involved in the locomotor-activating effects of cocaine. Cocaine has been demonstrated to bind as to directly stabilize the DAT transporter on the open outward-facing conformation.

Further, cocaine binds in such a way as to inhibit a hydrogen bond innate to DAT. Cocaine's binding properties are such that it attaches so this hydrogen bond will not form and is blocked from formation due to the tightly locked orientation of the cocaine molecule. Research studies have suggested that the affinity for the transporter is not what is involved in habituation of the substance so much as the conformation and binding properties to where and how on the transporter the molecule binds.

Are affected by cocaine, as cocaine functions as a sigma ligand agonist. Further specific receptors it has been demonstrated to function on are and the D1 dopamine receptor. Cocaine also blocks, thereby interfering with the propagation of; thus, like and, it acts as a local anesthetic. It also functions on the binding sites to the dopamine and serotonin sodium dependent transport area as targets as separate mechanisms from its reuptake of those transporters; unique to its local anesthetic value which makes it in a class of functionality different from both its own derived phenyltropanes analogues which have that removed. In addition to this cocaine has some target binding to the site of the Kappa-opioid receptor as well.

Cocaine also causes, thus reducing bleeding during minor surgical procedures. The locomotor enhancing properties of cocaine may be attributable to its enhancement of dopaminergic transmission from the. Recent research points to an important role of circadian mechanisms and in behavioral actions of cocaine.

Cocaine can often cause reduced food intake, many chronic users lose their appetite and can experience severe malnutrition and significant weight loss. Cocaine effects, further, are shown to be potentiated for the user when used in conjunction with new surroundings and stimuli, and otherwise novel environs. Pharmacokinetics Cocaine has a short half life of 0.7-1.5 hours and is extensively by enzymes (primarily in the and ), with only about 1% excreted unchanged in the urine. The metabolism is dominated by cleavage, so the eliminated metabolites consist mostly of (BE), the major, and other significant metabolites in lesser amounts such as ecgonine methyl ester (EME) and. Further minor metabolites of cocaine include, p-hydroxycocaine, m-hydroxycocaine, p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine (pOHBE), and m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine. If consumed with, cocaine combines with alcohol in the to form.

Studies have suggested cocaethylene is both more, and has a higher toxicity than cocaine by itself. Depending on liver and kidney function, cocaine metabolites are detectable in urine. Benzoylecgonine can be detected in urine within four hours after cocaine intake and remains detectable in concentrations greater than 150 ng/mL typically for up to eight days after cocaine is used. Detection of accumulation of cocaine metabolites in hair is possible in regular users until the sections of hair grown during use are cut or fall out. Chemistry Appearance. A piece of compressed cocaine powder Cocaine in its purest form is a white, pearly product. Cocaine appearing in powder form is a, typically cocaine.

Street cocaine is often adulterated or 'cut' with,,,,,,,,,,,,,. The color of depends upon several factors including the origin of the cocaine used, the method of preparation – with or – and the presence of impurities, but will generally range from white to a yellowish cream to a light brown. Its texture will also depend on the adulterants, origin and processing of the powdered cocaine, and the method of converting the base. It ranges from a crumbly texture, sometimes extremely oily, to a hard, almost crystalline nature.

Forms Salt Cocaine – a – is a weakly alkaline compound, and can therefore combine with acidic compounds to form various salts. The hydrochloride (HCl) salt of cocaine is by far the most commonly encountered, although the sulfate (-SO 4) and the nitrate (-NO 3) are occasionally seen. Different salts dissolve to a greater or lesser extent in various solvents – the hydrochloride salt is polar in character and is quite soluble in water. Main article: As the name implies, 'freebase' is the form of cocaine, as opposed to the form. It is practically insoluble in water whereas hydrochloride salt is water-soluble.

Smoking freebase cocaine has the additional effect of releasing into the user's system due to the of the substance (a side effect which or injecting powder cocaine does not create). Some research suggests that smoking freebase cocaine can be even more cardiotoxic than other because of methylecgonidine's effects on lung tissue and liver tissue. Pure cocaine is prepared by neutralizing its compounding salt with an alkaline solution, which will precipitate to non-polar basic cocaine. It is further refined through aqueous-solvent. Crack cocaine.

'Rocks' of crack cocaine Crack is a lower purity form of free-base cocaine that is usually produced by neutralization of cocaine hydrochloride with a solution of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO 3) and water, producing a very hard/brittle, off-white-to-brown colored, amorphous material that contains sodium carbonate, entrapped water, and other by-products as the main impurities. The 'freebase' and 'crack' forms of cocaine are usually administered by vaporization of the powdered substance into smoke, which is then inhaled. The origin of the name 'crack' comes from the 'crackling' sound (and hence the moniker 'crack') that is produced when the cocaine and its impurities (i.e. Water, sodium bicarbonate) are heated past the point of vaporization.

Pure cocaine base/crack can be smoked because it vaporizes smoothly, with little or no decomposition at 98 °C (208 °F), which is below the boiling point of water. In contrast, cocaine hydrochloride does not vaporize until heated to a much higher temperature (about 197 °C), and considerable decomposition/burning occurs at these high temperatures. This effectively destroys some of the cocaine and yields a sharp, acrid, and foul-tasting smoke. Smoking or vaporizing cocaine and inhaling it into the lungs produces an almost immediate 'high' that can be very powerful (and addicting) quite rapidly – this initial crescendo of stimulation is known as a 'rush'. While the stimulating effects may last for hours, the euphoric sensation is very brief, prompting the user to smoke more immediately. Coca leaf infusions. This article needs additional citations for.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2014) () Coca herbal (also referred to as ) is used in coca-leaf producing countries much as any herbal medicinal infusion would elsewhere in the world. The free and legal commercialization of dried coca leaves under the form of filtration bags to be used as 'coca tea' has been actively promoted by the governments of and for many years as a drink having medicinal powers. Visitors to the city of in Peru, and in Bolivia are greeted with the offering of coca leaf infusions (prepared in teapots with whole coca leaves) purportedly to help the newly arrived traveler overcome the malaise of high altitude sickness.

The effects of drinking coca tea are a mild stimulation and mood lift. It does not produce any significant numbing of the mouth nor does it give a rush like snorting cocaine. In order to prevent the demonization of this product, its promoters publicize the unproven concept that much of the effect of the ingestion of coca leaf infusion would come from the secondary alkaloids, as being not only quantitatively different from pure cocaine but also qualitatively different. It has been promoted as an adjuvant for the treatment of cocaine dependence. In one controversial study, coca leaf infusion was used—in addition to counseling—to treat 23 addicted coca-paste smokers in, Peru. Relapses fell from an average of four times per month before treatment with coca tea to one during the treatment.

The duration of abstinence increased from an average of 32 days prior to treatment to 217 days during treatment. These results suggest that the administration of coca leaf infusion plus counseling would be an effective method for preventing relapse during treatment for cocaine addiction. Importantly, these results also suggest strongly that the primary pharmacologically active metabolite in coca leaf infusions is actually cocaine and not the secondary alkaloids. [ ] The cocaine metabolite can be detected in the urine of people a few hours after drinking one cup of coca leaf infusion. Main article: Cocaine is the second most popular illegal recreational drug in the United States (behind ) and the U.S. Vivo Per Lei Bocelli Giorgia Testo Canzone. Is the world's largest consumer of cocaine. Cocaine is commonly used in middle to upper-class communities and is known as a 'rich man's drug'.

It is also popular amongst college students, as a party drug. A study throughout the entire United States has reported that around 48 percent of people who graduated high school in 1979 have used cocaine recreationally during some point in their lifetime, compared to approximately 20 percent of students who graduated between the years of 1980 and 1995. Its users span over different ages, races, and professions. In the 1970s and 1980s, the drug became particularly popular in the culture as cocaine usage was very common and popular in many discos such as. History Discovery. Advertisement in the January 1896 issue of Magazine for Burnett's Cocaine 'for the hair'.

With the discovery of this new alkaloid, Western medicine was quick to exploit the possible uses of this plant. In 1879, Vassili von Anrep, of the, devised an experiment to demonstrate the analgesic properties of the newly discovered alkaloid.

He prepared two separate jars, one containing a cocaine-salt solution, with the other containing merely salt water. He then submerged a frog's legs into the two jars, one leg in the treatment and one in the control solution, and proceeded to stimulate the legs in several different ways. The leg that had been immersed in the cocaine solution reacted very differently from the leg that had been immersed in salt water. (a close associate of, who would write about cocaine later) experimented with cocaine for usage.

In an infamous experiment in 1884, he experimented upon himself by applying a cocaine solution to his own eye and then pricking it with pins. His findings were presented to the Heidelberg Ophthalmological Society. Also in 1884, Jellinek demonstrated the effects of cocaine as a anesthetic. In 1885, demonstrated nerve-block anesthesia, and demonstrated anesthesia. 1898 saw use cocaine for. Today, cocaine has a very limited medical use.

[ ] Popularization. In this 1904 from, 'Madame ' recommended that be treated with a solution of, cocaine, and. By the late, cocaine use had appeared as a vice in. For example, it was injected by 's fictional, generally to offset the boredom he felt when he was not working on a case. In early 20th-century, cocaine was sold in neighborhood drugstores on, costing five or ten cents for a small boxful. Stevedores along the Mississippi River used the drug as a stimulant, and white employers encouraged its use by black laborers. In 1909, took 'Forced March' brand cocaine tablets to, as did a year later on his ill-fated journey to the.

During the mid-1940s, amidst World War II, cocaine was considered for inclusion as an ingredient of a future generation of 'pep pills' for the German military, code named. In modern popular culture references to the drug are prevalent, in it the drug has a glamorous image associated with the rich, famous and powerful with it also making users to 'feel rich and beautiful'. In addition the pace of modern society − such as in finance − gives many the incentive to make use of the drug. Mayor captured on a surveillance camera smoking crack cocaine during a sting operation by the and. In many countries, cocaine is a popular. In the United States, the development of introduced the substance to a generally poorer inner-city market. Use of the powder form has stayed relatively constant, experiencing a new height of use during the late 1990s and early 2000s in the U.S., and has become much more popular in the last few years in the UK.

[ ] [ ] Cocaine use is prevalent across all socioeconomic strata, including age, demographics, economic, social, political, religious, and livelihood. [ ] The estimated U.S.

Cocaine market exceeded US$70 billion in street value for the year 2005, exceeding revenues by corporations such as. There is a tremendous demand for cocaine in the U.S. Market, particularly among those who are making incomes affording spending, such as single adults and professionals with discretionary income. Cocaine's status as a shows its immense popularity among the 'party crowd'. In 1995 the (WHO) and the (UNICRI) announced in a press release the publication of the results of the largest global study on cocaine use ever undertaken. However, a decision by an American representative in the banned the publication of the study, because it seemed to make a case for the positive uses of cocaine. An excerpt of the report strongly conflicted with accepted paradigms, for example 'that occasional cocaine use does not typically lead to severe or even minor physical or social problems.'

In the sixth meeting of the B committee, the US representative threatened that 'If World Health Organization activities relating to drugs failed to reinforce proven drug control approaches, funds for the relevant programs should be curtailed'. This led to the decision to discontinue publication. A part of the study was recuperated and published in 2010, including profiles of cocaine use in 20 countries, but are unavailable as of 2015. In October 2010 it was reported that the use of cocaine in Australia has doubled since monitoring began in 2003. A problem with illegal cocaine use, especially in the higher volumes used to combat fatigue (rather than increase euphoria) by long-term users, is the risk of ill effects or damage caused by the compounds used in adulteration. Cutting or 'stepping on' the drug is commonplace, using compounds which simulate ingestion effects, such as (procaine) producing temporary anesthaesia, as many users believe a strong numbing effect is the result of strong and/or pure cocaine, ephedrine or similar stimulants that are to produce an increased heart rate.

The normal adulterants for profit are inactive sugars, usually mannitol, creatine or glucose, so introducing active adulterants gives the illusion of purity and to 'stretch' or make it so a dealer can sell more product than without the adulterants. [ ] The adulterant of sugars allows the dealer to sell the product for a higher price because of the illusion of purity and allows to sell more of the product at that higher price, enabling dealers to significantly increase revenue with little additional cost for the adulterants. A 2007 study by the showed that the purity levels for street purchased cocaine was often under 5% and on average under 50% pure. Society and culture Legal status. Main article: The production, distribution, and sale of cocaine products is restricted (and illegal in most contexts) in most countries as regulated by the, and the.

In the United States the manufacture, importation, possession, and distribution of cocaine are additionally regulated by the 1970. Some countries, such as Peru and Bolivia permit the cultivation of coca leaf for traditional consumption by the local, but nevertheless, prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of cocaine. The provisions as to how much a coca farmer can yield annually is protected by laws such as the Bolivian. In addition, some parts of Europe and Australia allow processed cocaine for medicinal uses only. Australia Cocaine is a prohibited substance in Australia under the (July 2016). A schedule 8 substance is a controlled Drug – Substances which should be available for use but require restriction of manufacture, supply, distribution, possession and use to reduce abuse, misuse and physical or psychological dependence. In under the 4.0g of cocaine is the amount of prohibited drugs determining a court of trial, 2.0g is the amount of cocaine required for the presumption of intention to sell or supply and 28.0g is the amount of cocaine required for purposes of drug trafficking.

United States. See also: The US federal government instituted a national labeling requirement for cocaine and cocaine-containing products through the Food and Drug Act of 1906. The next important federal regulation was the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914. While this act is often seen as the start of prohibition, the act itself was not actually a prohibition on cocaine, but instead set up a regulatory and licensing regime.

The Harrison Act did not recognize addiction as a treatable condition and therefore the therapeutic use of cocaine, heroin or morphine to such individuals was outlawed – leading the Journal of American Medicine to remark, '[the addict] is denied the medical care he urgently needs, open, above-board sources from which he formerly obtained his drug supply are closed to him, and he is driven to the underworld where he can get his drug, but of course, surreptitiously and in violation of the law.' The Harrison Act left manufacturers of cocaine untouched so long as they met certain purity and labeling standards. Despite that cocaine was typically illegal to sell and legal outlets were rarer, the quantities of legal cocaine produced declined very little.

Legal cocaine quantities did not decrease until the Jones–Miller Act of 1922 put serious restrictions on cocaine manufactures. Interdiction In 2004, according to the, 589 of cocaine were seized globally by law enforcement authorities.

Seized 188 t, the United States 166 t, Europe 79 t, Peru 14 t, Bolivia 9 t, and the rest of the world 133 t. Economics Because of the drug's potential for addiction and overdose, cocaine is generally treated as a ', with severe penalties for possession and trafficking. Demand remains high, and consequently, black market cocaine is quite expensive. Unprocessed cocaine, such as, are occasionally purchased and sold, but this is exceedingly rare as it is much easier and more profitable to conceal and smuggle it in powdered form.

The scale of the market is immense: 770 times $100 per gram retail = up to $77 billion. [ ] Production Until 2012, Colombia was the world's leading producer of cocaine. Three-quarters of the world's annual yield of cocaine has been produced in Colombia, both from cocaine base imported from Peru (primarily the ) and Bolivia, and from locally grown coca.

There was a 28% increase from the amount of potentially harvestable coca plants which were grown in Colombia in 1998. This, combined with crop reductions in Bolivia and Peru, made Colombia the nation with the largest area of after the mid-1990s. Coca is grown for traditional purposes by indigenous communities, a use which is still present and is permitted by Colombian laws only makes up a small fragment of total coca production, most of which is used for the illegal drug trade. [ ] An interview with a coca farmer published in 2003 described a mode of production by that has changed little since 1905. Roughly 625 pounds (283 kg) of leaves were harvested per, six times per year.

The leaves were dried for half a day, then chopped into small pieces with a string trimmer and sprinkled with a small amount of powdered cement (replacing from former times). Several hundred pounds of this mixture were soaked in 50 US gallons (190 L) of gasoline for a day, then the gasoline was removed and the leaves were pressed for remaining liquid, after which they could be discarded. Then (weak ) was used, one bucket per 55 lb (25 kg) of leaves, to create a separation in which the cocaine in the gasoline was acidified and extracted into a few buckets of 'murky-looking smelly liquid'. Once powdered was added to this, the cocaine precipitated and could be removed by filtration through a cloth. The resulting material, when dried, was termed and sold by the farmer.

The 3750 pound yearly harvest of leaves from a hectare produced 6 lb (2.5 kg) of pasta, approximately 40–60% cocaine. Repeated recrystallization from solvents, producing pasta lavada and eventually crystalline cocaine were performed at specialized laboratories after the sale.

Attempts to eradicate coca fields through the use of have devastated part of the farming economy in some coca growing regions of Colombia, and strains appear to have been developed that are more resistant or immune to their use. Whether these strains are natural mutations or the product of human tampering is unclear.

These strains have also shown to be more potent than those previously grown, increasing profits for the drug cartels responsible for the exporting of cocaine. Although production fell temporarily, coca crops rebounded in numerous smaller fields in Colombia, rather than the larger plantations. [ ] The cultivation of coca has become an attractive economic decision for many growers due to the combination of several factors, including the lack of other employment alternatives, the lower profitability of alternative crops in official crop substitution programs, the eradication-related damages to non-drug farms, the spread of new strains of the coca plant due to persistent worldwide demand. [ ] Estimated Andean region coca cultivation and potential pure cocaine production 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Net cultivation km 2 (sq mi) 1,875 (724) 2,218 (856) 2,007.5 (775.1) 1,663 (642) 1,662 (642) Potential pure cocaine production () 770 925 830 680 645 The latest estimate provided by the U.S. Authorities on the annual production of cocaine in Colombia refers to 290 metric tons. As of the end of 2011, the seizure operations of carried out in different countries have totaled 351.8 metric tons of cocaine, i.e. 121.3% of Colombia's annual production according to the U.S.

Department of State's estimates. Synthesis Synthetic cocaine would be highly desirable to the illegal drug industry as it would eliminate the high visibility and low reliability of offshore sources and international smuggling, replacing them with clandestine domestic laboratories, as are common for illicit.

However, natural cocaine remains the lowest cost and highest quality supply of cocaine. Actual full synthesis of cocaine is rarely done. Formation of inactive (cocaine has 4 chiral centres – 1R, 2R, 3S, and 5S – hence a total potential of 16 possible enantiomers and ) plus synthetic by-products limits the yield and purity.

[ ] Names like 'synthetic cocaine' and 'new cocaine' have been misapplied to (PCP) and various. Trafficking and distribution. Cocaine smuggled in a, 2008 gangs operating on a large scale dominate the cocaine trade. Most cocaine is grown and processed in South America, particularly in Colombia,, Peru, and smuggled into the United States and Europe, the United States being the world's largest consumer of cocaine, where it is sold at huge markups; usually in the US at $80–120 for 1 gram, and $250–300 for 3.5 grams (⅛ of an ounce, or an 'eight ball'). Olympus Sonority Keygen Crack.

Caribbean and Mexican routes As of 2005, cocaine shipments from South America transported through or were generally moved over land or by air to staging sites in northern Mexico. The cocaine is then broken down into smaller loads for smuggling across the. The primary cocaine importation points in the United States have been in, southern, southern, and. Typically, land vehicles are driven across the U.S.–Mexico border. Sixty-five percent of cocaine enters the United States through Mexico, and the vast majority of the rest enters through Florida. [ ] As of 2015, the is the most active involved in smuggling illicit drugs like cocaine into the United States and trafficking them throughout the United States. Cocaine traffickers from Colombia and Mexico have established a labyrinth of routes throughout the Caribbean, the Bahama Island chain, and South Florida.

They often hire traffickers from Mexico or the to transport the drug using a variety of smuggling techniques to U.S. These include airdrops of 500 to 700 kg (1,100 to 1,500 lb) in the or off the coast of, mid-ocean boat-to-boat transfers of 500 to 2,000 kg (1,100 to 4,400 lb), and the commercial shipment of tonnes of cocaine through the port of. [ ] Chilean route Another route of cocaine traffic goes through Chile, which is primarily used for cocaine produced in Bolivia since the nearest seaports lie in northern Chile. The arid Bolivia–Chile border is easily crossed by 4×4 vehicles that then head to the seaports of and. While the price of cocaine is higher in Chile than in Peru and Bolivia, the final destination is usually Europe, especially Spain where drug dealing networks exist among South American immigrants. [ ] Techniques Cocaine is also carried in small, concealed, kilogram quantities across the border by couriers known as ' (or 'mulas'), who cross a border either legally, for example, through a port or airport, or illegally elsewhere. The drugs may be strapped to the waist or legs or hidden in bags, or hidden in the body.

If the mule gets through without being caught, the gangs will reap most of the profits. If he or she is caught, however, gangs will sever all links and the mule will usually stand trial for trafficking alone. [ ] Bulk cargo ships are also used to smuggle cocaine to staging sites in the western Caribbean– area.

These vessels are typically 150–250-foot (50–80 m) coastal freighters that carry an average cocaine load of approximately 2.5 tonnes. Commercial fishing vessels are also used for smuggling operations.

In areas with a high volume of recreational traffic, smugglers use the same types of vessels, such as, as those used by the local populations. [ ] Sophisticated are the latest tool drug runners are using to bring cocaine north from Colombia, it was reported on 20 March 2008. Although the vessels were once viewed as a quirky sideshow in the drug war, they are becoming faster, more seaworthy, and capable of carrying bigger loads of drugs than earlier models, according to those charged with catching them.

Sales to consumers. Cocaine adulterated with fruit flavoring Cocaine is readily available in all major countries' metropolitan areas.

According to the Summer 1998 Pulse Check, published by the U.S., cocaine use had stabilized across the country, with a few increases reported in,, Miami, and. In the West, cocaine usage was lower, which was thought to be due to a switch to among some users; methamphetamine is cheaper, three and a half times more powerful, and lasts 12–24 times longer with each dose. Nevertheless, the number of cocaine users remain high, with a large concentration among urban youth. In addition to the amounts previously mentioned, cocaine can be sold in 'bill sizes': As of 2007 for example, $10 might purchase a 'dime bag', a very small amount (0.1–0.15 g) of cocaine.

Twenty dollars might purchase 0.15–0.3 g. However, in lower Texas, it is sold cheaper due to it being easier to receive: a dime for $10 is 0.4 g, a 20 is 0.8–1.0 g and an 8-ball (3.5 g) is sold for $60 to $80, depending on the quality and dealer. [ ] These amounts and prices are very popular among young people because they are inexpensive and easily concealed on one's body.

Quality and price can vary dramatically depending on supply and demand, and on geographic region. In 2008, the reports that the typical retail price of cocaine varied between €50 and €75 per gram in most European countries, although Cyprus, Romania, Sweden and Turkey reported much higher values. Consumption World annual cocaine consumption, as of 2000, stood at around 600 tonnes, with the United States consuming around 300 t, 50% of the total, Europe about 150 t, 25% of the total, and the rest of the world the remaining 150 t or 25%. It is estimated that 1.5 million people in the United States used cocaine in 2010 down from 2.4 million in 2006. Conversely, cocaine use appears to be increasing in Europe with the highest prevalences in, the,, and. The 2010 UN concluded that 'it appears that the North American cocaine market has declined in value from US$47 billion in 1998 to US$38 billion in 2008. Between 2006 and 2008, the value of the market remained basically stable'.

Research In 2005, researchers proposed the use of cocaine in conjunction with administered in the form of an as a diagnostic test for.