Physical Effects Of Cocaine

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The definition of cocaine is a drug extracted from coca leaves. Normally cocaine is a crystalline powder. The molecular formula of cocaine is C17H21NO4. Due to the chemical trait of cocaine, Cocaine is dissolved in both water and oil. Cocaine was originally brought to Europe by the invasion of Espanaans in the 16th century in South America. The extraction of alkaloids in 1860 made its structure and efficacy known. In 1884, local anesthetic action of cocaine was demonstrated. Originally, cocaine has been used as a medicinal and a favorite food. The first use of cocaine was anesthetic. However, unlike its intent, cocaine is used as a illegal drug nowadays, especially in middle America. The reckless use of cocaine can harm normal people physically, …show more content…
However trait of cocaine is more dangerous than others because impurities that are not removed when it is manufactured add additional damage to the human body. First, as cocaine is an anesthetic, it has a big physical effect on the brain. Cocaine increases levels of the natural chemical messenger dopamine in brain circuits controlling pleasure and movement. Normally, the brain releases dopamine in these circuits in response to potential rewards, like the smell of good food. It then recycles back into the cell that released it, shutting off the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine prevents dopamine from recycling, causing excessive amounts to build up between nerve cells. This flood of dopamine ultimately disrupts normal brain communication and causes cocaine’s high. Cocaine inflicts a vast range of damage to people other than the brain. The most damaged organ in human body by cocaine is the heart. As a heart being shocked by cocaine, the person can get a heart attack. Also, increased heart rate causes dilatation of the pupil. The most important of many problems is that the immunity is weakened by the breakdown of several organs. Furthermore a collapsed immune system can cause tumors or necrosis in the …show more content…
As abusing illegal cocaine affects normal people physically and mentally, cocaine can also destroy every society, regardless of the size, from nations to professional life and even family. Although it is illicit to manufacture and distribute or possess cocaine, many Caribbean countries are keep trafficking cocaine. This definitely relates crimes, and the statistics show that 9 Caribbean countries ranked in top 10 national murder rates per 100,000 population. (UNODC Homocide Database, 2010) Not only murder but other related crimes can be problems such as money laundering or illegal trafficking which may leads to terrorism. Cocaine can also break individuals' life down. One who addicted to cocaine has a high possibility of neglecting his/her career and company. As said in mental effects of cocaine, cocaine addicts cannot concentrate long enough to success his professional career and their severe mood swings make their family unstable. Whether big or small, cocaine abuse brings societies negative effects and makes them

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