Cocaine

Cocaine

Cocaine is a white powder that is often mixed with sugar, cornstarch, vitamins and flour. Crack cocaine looks like a small rock and it is sometimes off-white or pink color. Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It’s considered an illegal drug and is the second most popular illegal drug in the U.S

Effects on the human nervous system

In the brain, dopamine controls physical movement, memory, alertness, attention, emotions and perception of pain and pleasure

Drugs that increase dopamine signaling may produce an excited effect

Dopamine transporter is the protein responsible for removing dopamine from the neural synapse. Without this protein we would find ourselves with an excess amount of dopamine, which would cause us to have hyper-stimulation, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity

Eventually the user develops a tolerance to the drug and must ingest larger amounts of cocaine to achieve the same high

Side effects

Increased dopamine in the limbic system is linked to personality, paranoia and withdrawal from social situations. Cocaine users are more likely to act impulsively with need for instant gratification.

Some symptoms of a cocaine user

Dilated pupils

Increased temperature

Heart rate increase

Lack of exhaustion

Panic

Extremely talkative