Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from “coca” in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant. Specifically, it is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It gives a feeling to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Because of the way it affects the mesolimbic reward pathway, cocaine is addictive.
Cocaine dependence (or addiction) is physical and psychological dependency on the regular use of cocaine. It can result in physiological damage, lethargy, depression, or a potentially fatal overdose
Crack cocaine is a highly addictive form of cocaine that is popular for its intense high. It is a diluted form of the drug and a small amount of cocaine can be expanded into increasingly larger and weaker amounts of crack cocaine. It is a cheaper form of powdered cocaine because it is usually “cut” with different substances and chemicals such as baking powder and laundry detergent
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