Effects of Cocaine
Physical effects of cocaine use include constricted peripheral blood
vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and
blood pressure. The duration of cocaine’s immediate euphoric effects,
which include hyper-stimulation and mental clarity, is dependent on
the route of administration. The faster the cocaine is absorbed, the
more intense the high and the shorter the duration of action. The
‘high’ from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, whilst that from
smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increased use can reduce the period
of stimulation. This euphoria is followed by depression and craving
for more of the drug.
Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability,
and anxiety. In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first
use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. There is no way to
determine who is prone to sudden death.
Short-term physiological effects include raised hear rate,
hyperactivity and restlessness. Blood pressure of the user is also
increased and the pupils dilate.
There is a great risk associated with cocaine use whether the drug is
snorted, injected or smoked. Prolonged cocaine snorting can result in
ulceration of the mucous membranes of the nose and can damage the
nasal septum enough to cause it to collapse. The injecting drug user
is at risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection/AIDS if needles
or other injection equipment are shared. Hepatitis is another danger
from the use of needles to inject cocaine. Cocaine smokers suffer from
acute respiratory problems including coughing, shortness of breath,
and severe chest pains with lung trauma and bleeding. In addition, it
appears that compulsive cocaine use may develop even more rapidly if
the substance is smoked rather than snorted.
Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that interferes
with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger
associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is released as part of
the brain’s reward system and is involved in the high that
characterizes cocaine consumption. An appreciable tolerance to the
regulatory events in mediating the lasting effects of abusive drugs on the brain in animal models of drug addiction (Kumar et al., 2005). Evidence has shown that repeated exposure to abusive drugs induces change within the brain’s reward region in three modes of epigenetic regulations; histone modifications
Cocaine abuse and dependence affected 1.4 million Americans in 2008 (Volkow, 2010). Cocaine is known for its addictive properties (Letchworth et al., 2001). Therapeutic and medicinal techniques utilized to relieve drug effects and drug seeking behavior have become increasingly popular in the scientific community. In general the affected areas during or after cocaine use have been identified subsequently providing research into the physiological aspects of cocaine use. Research to determine drug-seeking
Abuse and addiction to cocaine is a major problem in the world. Cocaine is known for its medical use; however, it is abused by many people. Scholars argue that at the age of 30, one out six people has abused cocaine. The concern for the abuse is high because of the adverse effects on the body and the mind. The abuse leads to addiction, which can be treated through cognitive behavioral approach that prevents relapse. This helps individuals focus on abstaining from cocaine and any other drug abuse
In the past few years cocaine use has gone down. The current number of users in the U.S. ages 12 and older has dropped from 2.1 million to 1.7 million. The short-term effects of cocaine include paranoia, heart damage or stroke and even death. The use of heroin continues to increase, in 2012 about 669,000 Americans have reported using heroin. The biggest increase of use is among ages 18 to 25. The effects of heroin include drowsiness, and slowed breathing. The withdrawal from heroin can be very intense
Position Paper: Cocaine The following is a picture of the chemical structure for cocaine. “It is synthesized from the leaves of the coca plant to form a paste. This paste is further synthesized and cut with adulterant substances to make it into street-level cocaine that can be injected, snorted or smoked. To make the paste, there is a process of extracting the cocaine that includes the use of toxic chemicals. There are two main ways that the cocaine paste is made: solvent extraction and acid
life. It is important to attempt to comprehend the workings of the brain and to learn the effects of natural and unnatural substances on it. In order to look at chemical effects on the brain, one must first get an understanding for the chemicals as well as how the brain works to interpret and react to signals set out by these chemicals, rhythmically and physiologically. Several chemicals observed include: cocaine (and other chemicals), seratonin, and melatonin. Nature and life are full of rhythms
factors) have a great impact on the babies’ inutero development. Some outside factors like second-hand smoke, smog, or fumes from cleaning chemicals can cause negative effects on the child inside the womb. A few major affects from teratogens could result in low birth weight, head circumference, slow physical growth as well as an effect on mental, behavioral and motor skills (Berk, 2003). The environment around the mother provides many of these outside factors affecting the baby’s growth. But the main
Cocaine originated from South America, from coca leaves. Originally, the coca leaves were chewed by workers to decrease fatigue, improve endurance and have a greater resistance to the cold. This was to benefit the workers so they could work longer hours and be more productive. In 1855 the active ingredient in cocaine was isolated from the leaves, and in 1880 it was used as a local anesthetic (Nunes,2006). It was also used in coca cola. In 1855, coca cola was a soda beverage that contained sixty milligrams
history of cocaine, current prevalence rates and health effects among other issues. 1.0 Introduction A. Attention Material: Cocaine is mostly known as an illegal drug, but very few truly acknowledge it for its medical purposes and fully understand its history in the country. Cocaine is a tropane ester alkaloid ,which is extracted from the leaves of the coca (Erythroxylon coca) plant (Clayton, 1996). Cocaine is considered the most powerful and most dangerous drug of natural origin. Cocaine is illegal
Cocaine in the Brain "Cocaine delivers an intensity of pleasure - and despair - beyond the bounds of normal human experience." During the 1980s, Partnership for a Drug Free America began airing commercials that seem to either frighten or educate people about the use of illegal drugs. One of these commercials avowed, "No one ever says, 'I want to be a junkie when I grow up'." The comment is obvious, but very true. Probably very few people aspire to be drug addicts. But it happens, everyday
Cocaine Cocaine extracted from coca bush from South America. The extract is then treated to make cocaine freebase, hydrochloride and crack. The most common form is cocaine hydrochloride. It comes a white crystal-like powder. This can also be treated even further to create freebase and crack. Freebase is a white powder, a bit like hydrochloride. Crack normally comes in the form of crystals that come in colours that range from cream, white or transparent with a pink or yellow hue. Structure
Cocaine Cocaine is a drug derived from the leaf of the Erytroxylon cocoa bush, which grows primarily in Peru and Bolivia. Cocaine also known as coke, C, snow, flake, nose candy, blow, or crack is generally sold on the street as a hydrochloride salt( a water-soluble salt). Cocaine is a fine, white crystalline powder often diluted with similar-looking substances such as talcum powder, sugar, or amphetamines. The powder can be snorted into the nostrils, also may be rubbed onto the mucous linings
What is cocaine? Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive (due to the way it functions) stimulant that is considered one of the deadliest drugs to date. When someone intakes this substance, it results in euphoric emotions, adding on to why it is deemed highly addictive. Cocaine overdose occurs when a person ingests enough of the drug to result in fatal side effects, normally ending with death. In 2011, just over half a million of the drug-related visits to emergency rooms were due to cocaine, and
Crack Cocaine Crack is the name given to cocaine that has been transformed into a condensed, more pure, rock form that can be smoked. It is the most addictive form of cocaine due to a higher potency level than the typical batch of street cocaine. Crack cocaine has often been referred to as a ‘soul drug’ because it has a tendency to rob its victims of everything including money, family, morals, and even life itself. Furthermore, it is possible to become addicted to crack cocaine from the very first
Cocaine is a dangerous drug that acts as a stimulant on the brain (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2013). It is derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant and can be found as a powder, or be produced as a rock crystal, also known as crack. Cocaine is injected or snorted and produces a high that is euphoric, and the individual has increased energy and becomes very talkative (NIDA, 2013). Because cocaine is a stimulant, it increases blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature (NIDA