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░ Definition
Cocaine is extracted from coca leaf (Erythroxylon coca) and acts as local anesthetic and central nervous system stimulant. It can be taken by chewing on coca leaves, smoked, inhaled or injected.
History of cocaine begins in the time of early Spanish explorers, who notices how the native people of South America were able to join forces and to overcome the fatigue, only by chewing herb leaves.
░ Effects of cocaine
One dose:
When it is inhaled, a dose of between 25 to 150 mg of cocaine is taken. Within a few seconds to a few minutes after it is taken, cocaine causes a feeling of euphoria, excitement, reduced hunger, a feeling of strength.
After the "High" :
The ‘high’ lasts about one hour. After that time users ‘crash’ into a period of depression that leads them to seek more cocaine and finally results in addiction. Withdrawal from cocaine can cause the addict to feel depressed, anxious and paranoid. Besides, the addict may then go into a period of exhaustion and they may sleep for a very long time.
Various doses :
Various doses of cocaine can also produce neurological and behavioural problems like dizziness, headache, vertigo, movement problems, anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations or depression.
░ The Brain
Cocaine acts by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, these neurotransmitters stay in the synaptic cleft for a longer time and do not cross it (stopping the natural process of the neuronal transmission).
The peripheral nervous system can be also affected by cocaine: constriction of blood vessels, dilation of the pupil, irregular heart beat.
░ Important: Dying from overdose
Cocaine can cause large increases in blood pressure that may result in bleeding within the brain. Constriction of brain blood vessels can also cause a stroke. An overdose of cocaine affects breathing and heart problems that could result in death. We have to consider that death caused by an overdose of cocaine is not uncommon.
More information (University of Washington) >>
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░ Alcohol
░ Amphetamines
░ Barbiturates
░ Cocaine
░ Caffeine
░ Ecstasy
░ GHB
░ Heroin
░ Inhalants
░ LSD
░ Marijuana
░ Mushrooms
░ Nicotine
░ PCP
░ Rohypnol
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