-Basic Introduction of the Drug
Cocaine has origins in the leaf of the Erythroxylum coca plant which contains approximately 0.3-0.7% cocaine. The plant makes this product as an insecticide to protect from predators [MolecSumm 2011]. Interestingly, the chemical that is made to ward off certain predators from consumption has quite the opposite effect when it comes to the human species.
As of the writing in this source, 2011, Over 700 tons of cocaine is extracted each year, but much of it does not make it to the consumer [MolecSumm 2011].
-History of the Drug’s Use
As of the writing in this source, 2011, Over 700 tons of cocaine is extracted each year, but much of it does not make it to the consumer [MolecSumm 2011].
-History of the Drug’s Use
People in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile have chewed coca leaves for some 5,000 years. Chewing coca leaves suppressed appetite and increased the strength and endurance of Inca messengers allowing them to cover upwards of 300km in a day in order to deliver messages to the Incan Emperor [MolecSumm 2011].
Cocaine was first isolated from the coca leaf by Friedrich Gaedcke in 1855. In the later part of the 19th century, cocaine was added to wines as a mild stimulant. However, due to prohibition, an alternative source of intoxication was sought. Pharmacist John Styth Pemberton added coca leaves and the kola nut together to make Coca-Cola - both constituents have stimulating psychoactive properties. "De-cocainised" leaves have been used since the beginning of the 20th century [MolecSumm 2011].
It is worth noting that the name of the brand of cola has stuck - and when someone desires a soda, sometimes they may ask for some "coke".
Cocaine was first isolated from the coca leaf by Friedrich Gaedcke in 1855. In the later part of the 19th century, cocaine was added to wines as a mild stimulant. However, due to prohibition, an alternative source of intoxication was sought. Pharmacist John Styth Pemberton added coca leaves and the kola nut together to make Coca-Cola - both constituents have stimulating psychoactive properties. "De-cocainised" leaves have been used since the beginning of the 20th century [MolecSumm 2011].
It is worth noting that the name of the brand of cola has stuck - and when someone desires a soda, sometimes they may ask for some "coke".
-Legal Status
Cocaine is schedule II in the United States, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and minimal medicinal uses [DEACoke].
-Testing your Drug and Handling your drug
-Doing an actual reagent test on your substance, taste testing, smell, sight, etc
-Ways to ensure the substance you have is the substance you want
-Handling your drug without harming the contents or losing potency
-Method of Ingestion
The coca leaf is usually ingested sublingually, by chewing or sucking on the leaf.
Processed cocaine, derived from the coca leaf, is most often snorted.
Free-base cocaine, also referred to as crack cocaine is typically smoked.
Processed cocaine, derived from the coca leaf, is most often snorted.
Free-base cocaine, also referred to as crack cocaine is typically smoked.
-Central (Desired) Effects, Side Effects. What are the dosages?
-How much of the drug is needed for consumption
-What are some of the desirable effects of the drug?
-What are some undesirable effects?
-Long Term effects
Excessive use of the drug can cause heart problems as the drug is a stimulant, unnaturally increasing the heart rate. The chronic snorting of cocaine can lead to erosion of the upper nasal cavity [DEACoke].
-Mechanism of Action – How does this Drug work in the body? [Physical (Physiological) and Mental (Psychological) effects]
Cocaine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that prevents the reuptake of neurotransmitters Dopamine, Noradrenaline, and Serotonin, therefore boosting the levels in the synapse, giving the user feelings of mood lift, stimulation, and euphoria [MolecSumm 2011].
-Recommended Uses and Doses (Varies by person)
-Suggestions for how the drug could be used
-Addiction, Withdrawal, Tolerance
-Addiction profile of the drug. Is it physically or mentally addictive?
-What are the withdrawal effects?
-How does the tolerance of the substance impact the usage?
-Drug Combinations with this Drug (Mixing Drugs, USE CAUTION!)
-When mixing drugs, which combinations are most dangerous with this drug
-Enjoyable Drug Combinations
-Medicinal Uses
Medicinal uses include as a topical anesthetic for the upper respiratory tract. It can also reduce bleeding of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and nasal cavities, but due to other chemicals having similar physiological mechanisms of action, cocaine is now rarely used medicinally in the United States [DEACoke].
-Detection in Biological Fluids (Drug Testing)
-How can this drug be best detected in the body? For how long?
-Personal Experiences
-Friendly Experiences
-Other notable experiences
-Useful Facts
-Sources and Bibliography (Comments on sources)
MolecSumm 2011
Every Molecule Tells a Story
Simon Cotton
CRC Press, Nov 16, 2011
https://books.google.com/books?id=JVzvBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=history+of+3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone&source=bl&ots=VLYGfd8MX7&sig=7_DYVmGPncEwiLMS04SeKzL3yn0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiz242phqPJAhUHeSYKHZQeBGkQ6AEIUTAI#v=onepage&q=history%20of%203%2C4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone&f=false
DEACoke
http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Cocaine.pdf
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