Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug with significant potential for addiction and abuse. Chemically, it is a tropane alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca, indigenous to the Andean highlands of South America. From a medical standpoint, cocaine is classified as a Schedule II drug in the United States, indicating it has a high potential for abuse but can be administered by a doctor for legitimate medical uses, such as local anesthesia for some eye, ear, and throat surgeries.

When used recreationally, cocaine works primarily by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain circuits that control pleasure and movement, creating a short-lived but intense feeling of euphoria and energy. Medically, however, its effects as a vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic are harnessed in specific surgical contexts. Cocaine can cause serious cardiovascular and neurological adverse effects, including arrhythmias, hypertension, strokes, and seizures. Long-term abuse leads to a myriad of health issues, including but not limited to cognitive impairments, mood disturbances, and increased risk of cardiac issues. As a result, its use is tightly regulated within clinical settings.