Cocaine
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Cocaine is an alkaloid found in leaves of the South American shrub, Erythroxylon Coca. Crack cocaine, also known as cocaine hydrochloride, is processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride, which is the form of cocaine that can be smoked. The dangers of cocaine should be more boldly advertised than it currently is. Cocaine has various negative affects on the body and brain, and people do not seem to be fully aware of them.
Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is known as part of the brain's reward system. Cocaine is distributed in three main forms; snorted, injected or smoked. Powder cocaine is a white crystalline substance. The powder form is usually snorted through the nose, or it can be mixed with water and injected. There are high risks in snorting because it can damage the nasal septum enough to cause it to collapse...