Contents:
- Medical Video: Cocaine and the Brain, The Holman Archives Video, Radiology Department
- The origin of cocaine
- Types of cocaine
- The effects of cocaine can be immediately felt even if only consumed a little
- Effect of this substance on the body of the user
Medical Video: Cocaine and the Brain, The Holman Archives Video, Radiology Department
Drug abuse (Narcotics and Harmful Drugs) is a big problem for the whole world, including Indonesia. One of the most consumed drugs besides marijuana is cocaine. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that is very addictive. Like most stimulants, this one substance can directly affect the user's brain function. Long-term addiction can cause a variety of severe physical and psychological problems. In fact, this one substance can also cause death.
The origin of cocaine
Cocaine is a strong stimulant extracted from the leaves Erythroxylon coca or better known as coca leaves. This leaf is widely grown in South American states, such as Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. For centuries, coca leaves have been used to treat altitude sickness and increase energy in many indigenous South American tribes. In some remote areas of South America, coca leaves are also often used in religious ceremonies.
Not only in South American countries, the United States also uses cocaine as a tonic and herb to treat various diseases in the early 1900s. Because of its usefulness, cocaine is a very popular compound and is often used in medicines, such as throat lozenges and tonics. In fact, this substance also had become the main ingredient for one of the most famous brands of soda - even though now finally the content of cocaine is completely removed from the beverage.
Unfortunately, the efficacy of cocaine is often misused. Some people sell these substances illegally as fine white powder that is purified and mixed with other substances such as cornstarch, talcum powder, or sugar. Some people also mix it with heroin or amphetamine, known as speedball. As a result, addiction, psychotic behavior, seizures, and death also increased. Finally, in 1914, the United States Harrison Narcotics Tax Act prohibited the use of this substance in freely sold products and made it available only by prescription.
As a purified drug, cocaine is one of the most frequently misused substances for more than 100 years.
Types of cocaine
There are two types of cocaine, including:
- Hydrochloric salt.This type of drug is added to acid to neutralize and form salt substances. That is why this type of drug is in the form of white crystalline powder, has water soluble properties, and feels rather bitter. How to use it can be inhaled or aspirated through the nose, injected into a vein, taken directly, or rubbed into the gums. Compared withfreebase, drugsthis type takes longer so the wearer feels the euphoric sensation, "Fly", or happily overdone. Street names for this type of drug are blow, coke, flake, C, and snow.
- Freebase.When the hydrochloride salt powder is processed into a substance that can be sucked, this is called freebase, or in street terms referred to as crack.Called crack because when heated, crystal cocaine makes a crackling sound like akcrack' It only takes about 10 seconds for the user to feel the sensation "Fly" after inhaling freebase. This is what makes it freebase very dangerous.
The effects of cocaine can be immediately felt even if only consumed a little
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that affects brain function. This is why cocaine can change the atmosphere of the wearer's feelings, ways of thinking, awareness and behavior. The effect of cocaine will usually appear as soon as someone uses it. Even small doses (less than 100 milligrams) can make the wearer feel refreshed, happy, excited, talkative, and confident in a short time. Some people who use this substance also claim to feel that the senses are more sensitive to stimulation.
This one substance can be used in various ways, ranging from injections, inhaled, smoked, and oral (taken directly). How intense the effects will be felt by the body and how long the effect actually feels depends on the method used by the user. For example, the inhaled cocaine effect is not as intense as being sucked. However, inhaled cocaine can last longer than smoked cocaine. Inhaled cocaine can last for 15 to 30 minutes, while smoked cocaine only lasts 5 to 10 minutes.
The faster the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, the more intense the effect will be, and the shorter the effect will last. Well, because of this, many people want to continue to use this substance in order to feel the effects continuously.
Effect of this substance on the body of the user
Cocaine is the most dangerous narcotics because the addictive power is very high. In the United States, cocaine or cocaine is classified in the Schedule II drug, meaning it has high potential for abuse, but can also be given for legitimate medical purposes, such as local anesthetics.
While in Indonesia, this substance is included in drugs (Narcotics, Psychotropic, and other Addictive Substances) group I. Medicines included in narcotics class I are only used for research and science purposes.
Just a little use of this substance can disrupt the levels of natural chemicals in the brain called dopamine. Excessive dopamine production can cause excessive excitement and the sensation of hovering (high) Usually the sensation is followed by symptoms like the one below.
- Breath hunting or panting
- Insomnia, can not be quiet, and restless
- Appetite disappears
- The heartbeat is faster
- Blood pressure rises
- Body temperature increases (hyperthermia)
- Exceptional sensitivity to touch, sound and vision
If consumed in excessive amounts, this can cause addiction. The more you use this substance, the more your brain will adapt to it. As a result, you need a stronger dose to feel the same effect. Well, this is dangerous because it can cause an overdose.
Stronger and more frequent doses can also cause long-term changes in chemical compounds in your brain. Your body and mind begin to depend on this substance. Gradually, this substance can make it difficult for you to think clearly, sleep, and or just remember something. Some health problems that may be experienced by addicts to this substance are:
- Severe headache
- Mental problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, hallucinations, and so on
- Seizures
- Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
- Changing moods without obvious reasons
- Sexual problems
- Lung damage
- HIV or hepatitis if used by injection
- Intestinal decay if taken orally
- Smelling, nosebleeds, runny nose, and difficulty swallowing, if used by inhalation
In severe cases, sudden death can also occur due to a heart attack, seizures, and respiratory arrest. This risk is generally more vulnerable if someone uses cocaine together with alcohol.
If you, your family, or your friends experience this substance addiction, don't hesitate to take it to a doctor. If necessary, you can also visit a special hospital that has a drug dependency rehabilitation facility. The faster the person who is addicted to this substance is treated, the higher the chance for someone to recover.
