 | The coca plant, Erythroxylon coca |
Cocaine is a chemical that has both painkilling properties, similar to novacaine, and stimulant properties like adrenalin. The painkilling effects work by blocking the transmission of pain impulses from the nerves to the brain, allowing it to be used as a local anaesthetic. At higher dosages it can even block nerve impulses from the brain to the lungs, so that breathing stops resulting in coma. In contrast, its stimulant action serves to increase the heart rate, the blood pressure and the breathing rate. It also energises the brain to greater alertness, and intensifies the current mood, anger or fear, or agitation (fight-or-flight) and feelings of well-being, riding high and euphoria.
| | The coca plant, Erythroxylon coca |
Cocaine is the main alkaloid present in the coca plant Erythroxylon coca which grows in South America and other tropic regions. It is obtained from an extract of the leaves, which is then hydrolysed and esterified with methanol and benzoic acid to produce the hydrochloride salt of cocaine.
 | Cocaine |
The earliest recorded use of cocaine-based alkaloids was by the Indians of the High Andes in Ecuador and Peru as early as 2500 BC. These tribesmen have traditionally chewed the leaves of the coca plant, along with lime to release the alkaloids, to combat fatigue and to deaden the pangs of hunger. The Bolivian tin miners do so even today to enable them to work under miserable conditions at high altitudes. Cocaine itself was first extracted and isolated in 1855 and used as a popular tonic to give drinks an extra 'whizz'. Indeed, Coca Cola contained small amounts of cocaine until 1904, which is how it obtained its name. Nowadays the pick-me-up in Coca Cola comes from caffeine - a much safer alternative! Historically, cocaine is of interest in that it was pioneered by the young Sigmund Freud as a treatment for postnatal depression . These experiments were later discontinued due to the unwanted addictive side-effects. Cocaine is also of literary interest since it was supposedly taken by Sherlock Holmes. It was banned in the UK in 1920 following reports of 'crazed soldiers' in the First World War.
Cocaine is highly addictive - once a person has used cocaine the urge to use it again is almost irresistible, and in this respect it is one of the most insidious 'recreational' drugs around. However, despite the feelings of overwhelming ecstasy it brings, cocaine never produces satisfaction. The user is left with an overwhelming craving to experience the joy of cocaine over and over again, which leads to tolerance and an ever increasing dose. Laboratory research has shown that given an option, animals prefer cocaine to food, water and even sex. If given free access to it, they continue to take the drug until they overdose and die. The same, unfortunately, is true for humans as well. For this reason cocaine is classified as an illegal substance in most countries of the world.
Crack cocaine is achieved by treating the cocaine hydrochloride with household baking soda. When the resulting nuggets are crushed up and smoked the residue of soda crackles as it is burnt off, so giving this form its name. This preparation frees the cocaine alkaloid from its hydrochloride salt allowing it to vaporise at a lower temperature. Inhalation into the lungs provides a much speedier way for the drug to enter the bloodstream than injecting or snorting the untreated cocaine.