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What Happens to Your Body When You Do Cocaine

The Infographics Show・14 minutes read

Cocaine, derived from the coca plant, is a potent stimulant with a rich history, now linked to severe health risks, addiction, and overdose, while also causing various negative effects on the body, teeth, and gums, especially when mixed with other substances. Public service announcements in the late 20th century aimed to discourage crack use, which has minimal impact on fetal development compared to nicotine and alcohol, with withdrawal necessitating therapy and support for recovery.

Insights

  • Cocaine, derived from the coca plant, acts as a powerful stimulant impacting the brain's reward system, inducing short-lived effects of energy and confidence while posing risks of addiction, overdose, and severe side effects like raised blood pressure and aggression.
  • The historical and contemporary use of cocaine reveals a complex narrative, from indigenous medicinal practices in the Andes to its exploitation by colonial powers and eventual association with clubbing culture. Despite its recreational allure, casual use can lead to significant health issues, including nasal damage, weakened immune system, and dental problems, exacerbated by dangerous practices like mixing with heroin or alcohol, emphasizing the importance of informed awareness and prevention strategies.

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Recent questions

  • What is cocaine?

    A drug derived from coca plants, a stimulant.

  • What are the historical uses of cocaine?

    Indigenous Andean medicinal purposes, later exploited by Spanish.

  • What are the risks of cocaine use?

    Overdose risks, heart conditions, psychosis, nasal damage.

  • How is cocaine consumed?

    Rubbing on gums, inhalation, injection, smoking as crack.

  • What are the dangers of mixing cocaine with other substances?

    Increased overdose risk, heart problems, blood-borne illnesses.

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Summary

00:00

"Cocaine: Ancient Origins to Modern Dangers"

  • Cocaine, also known as nose candy or snow, has been found in ancient mummies and was once a common ingredient in over-the-counter medicine, now valued on the black market and linked to numerous overdoses annually.
  • Cocaine is derived from the South American coca plant, processed into a powdered form called cocaine hydrochloride, and classified as a nervous system stimulant, similar to substances like MDMA and caffeine.
  • The drug stimulates the brain's reward pathway, leading to increased energy, excitement, and self-confidence, with potential side effects including raised blood pressure, body temperature, and aggression.
  • The high from cocaine lasts around 15 to 30 minutes, detectable in blood, saliva, urine, and hair samples for days to months after use, with topical medical uses still prevalent today.
  • Historically, cocaine was used by indigenous Andean people for various medicinal purposes, later exploited by the Spanish and popularized in the West in the 19th century.
  • Cocaine's recreational use surged in the 1970s and 1980s, associated with clubbing culture and wealthy individuals, with various methods of consumption including rubbing on gums, inhalation, injection, and smoking as crack cocaine.
  • Cocaine's addictive nature, short-lived high, and tolerance development lead to potential overdose risks, heart conditions, stress-related disorders, and psychosis, with severe side effects like 'coke bugs' delusions.
  • Casual cocaine use can still result in negative effects like nasal damage, nosebleeds, loss of smell, weakened immune system, and fungal infections, with long-term use causing rotting of nasal tissues.
  • Cocaine use can also harm teeth and gums, leading to infections, enamel loss, tooth grinding, and dehydration-related issues, with intravenous use posing additional risks like embolism and contamination.
  • Mixing cocaine with heroin to create a speedball or with alcohol to form cocaethylene can be extremely dangerous, increasing the likelihood of overdose, heart problems, and blood-borne illnesses like hepatitis C through shared drug paraphernalia.

11:35

Dangers and Myths of Crack Cocaine

  • Crack pipes are designed to be short to minimize the distance the substance travels to the user's lungs quickly. Made of glass, they heat up rapidly, causing blisters on lips and fingers from frequent contact.
  • Public service announcements in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring various figures like Clint Eastwood, aimed to deter crack usage. Concerns about "crack babies" were exaggerated, with studies showing minimal impact compared to nicotine and alcohol on fetal development.
  • Cocaine, cheaper than powder cocaine, is often mixed with harmful substances like baking soda or Fentanyl. Fentanyl contamination, even in trace amounts, can lead to severe consequences, including deadly effects when combined with cocaine in a speedball. Withdrawal from cocaine results in minor physical symptoms but severe psychological effects, necessitating therapy and social support for recovery.
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