15 Interesting Facts About Cocaine

Cocaine, an active chemical in coca plant, has been found to be the second most commonly used illicit drug after marijuana in the United States of America. Cocaine is taken by sniffing through the nose, injecting it with a needle into the bloodstream, or smoking to produce vapors. Its possession, cultivation, and distribution are illegal virtually in all parts of the world. So, here are some interesting facts about Cocaine worth knowing:

CocaineGIF: tumblr.com

1. Street Names!

Some of the popular street names of cocaine include coke, snow, lady, flake, gold dust, freebase, and crack, etc.
Source: drug-addiction-support.org

2. Born Addicts!

Baby Crying

Sadly, more than 100,000 babies are born addicted to Cocaine. If a baby’s mother uses cocaine during pregnancy, the baby may be born physically addicted to the drug.
Source: factslides.com, Image: wikimedia.org

3. Coca-Cola and Cocaine!

coca cola

Initially, there were an estimated 9 milligrams of cocaine per serving in Coca-Cola. Cocaine combined with caffeine created a powerful stimulating effect. In 1903, Cocaine was officially removed from its ingredients, but a cocaine-free version of coca leaf is still in use to add flavor to the soda.
Source: facts.randomhistory.com, Image: wikimedia.org

4. Sherlock Holmes Therapy!

Sherlock holmes

Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine user, and he was frequently described to indulge in cocaine when no stimulating cases were there to excite his mind in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales.
Source: facts.randomhistory.com, Image: wikimedia.org

5. Forms of Cocaine!

The popular forms of Cocaine are “cocaine hydrochloride,” which is in powder form and “freebase.” The powder is mixed with water and usually injected or sniffed. The most common street cocaine is a white powder, which is mixed with talcum powder, sugar, cornstarch and other stimulants by the dealers.
Source: drug-addiction-support.org, Image: wikimedia.org

6. Crack Cocaine!

The crystal form of cocaine is called crack cocaine that normally comes in a powder form. It is so named because when heated it makes a popping or cracking sound. As crack cocaine is relatively very cheap and gives immediate high, it became very popular in the 1980s.
Source: drugfreeworld.org, Image: wikimedia.org

7. Highly Addictive!

Cocaine drug

Cocaine is one of the most rapidly addictive drugs. Even a first time user can become addicted to cocaine. The craving begins from the first snort, and gradually, more drug is required to achieve the same high.
Source: drug-addiction-support.org, Image: wikimedia.org

8. It Affects Your Brain!

Cocaine vs Brain

No kidding, cocaine is known to cause permanent psychosis. A person predisposed to mental health issues can trigger those problems with the use of cocaine in unexpected ways. The person can become bipolar, and it will incapacitate him for life.
Source: drug-addiction-support.org, GIF: metrouk2.files.wordpress.com

9. It Causes Death!

cocaine

If you are a cocaine abuser, you risk Psychiatric disorders and even death.
Source: drugabuse.com, Image: pixabay.com

10. Biggest Cocaine Consuming Countries!

Cocaine Consuming Countries

According to reports, Scotland tops the list of biggest cocaine consuming countries followed by the United States, Spain, Australia, etc.
Source: telegraph.co.uk, Image: telegraph.co.uk

11. Cocaine With Heroin!

Mixing cocaine with heroin is called Speedballing. It may be a pleasant resort for a user; it’s also incredibly dangerous as it has potential long-term health effects.
Source: deserthopetreatment.com, Image: amazonaws.com

12. A Gift From the God!

Cocaine And Inca Civilization

Cocaine is indigenous to Central and South America as it’s obtained from the Coca plant which’ name is derived from the Inca word Kuka. The people from ancient Inca civilization believed the cocaine was a gift from the God.
Source: science.jrank.org, Image: nolana.com

13. Over the Counter Drug!

Cocaine for kids

In the early 1900s, before cocaine was illegalized, it was sold over the counter as a painkiller for its healing properties like reducing swelling, strengthening of broken bones, curing wounds/sores, etc.
Source: stimulantsubstancedisorder.weebly.com, Image: wikimedia.org

14. The Addict Scientist!

Cocaine and Sigmund Freud

Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud was so much addict to cocaine that he is also considered the first person to promote it as a tonic to cure depression. He also prescribed it to his girlfriend and recommended it for general use.
Source: drugfreeworld.org, Image: 1.bp.blogspot.com

15. Cocaine as Medicine!

Cocaine as a Medicine

In 1860, a German chemist Albert Nieman first isolated cocaine from coca leaves and noticed that it made his tongue feel numb. Another French chemist Angelo Mariani claimed that it could restore health and vitality. Later, an Austrian ophthalmologist Carl Koller noticed its anesthetic property. Soon, pharmaceutical companies started marketing cocaine as a medicinal drug. However, the enthusiasm quickly waned as the accidental deaths of patients due to the overdose of cocaine during surgery soared.
Source: history.com, Image: woodlibrarymuseum.org