Cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appeteite supressant. Specifically, it is a dopamine reputake inhibitor, a norepinephrine reputake inhibitor and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which mediates functionality of such as an exogenous DAT ligand. Because of the way it affects the mesolimbic reward pathway
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug. The powdered form of cocaine is either snorted or injected.Many cocaine users report that they seek but fail to achieve the same experience as they had with their first use. Some users will increase their dose in an attempt to intensify and prolong the effect, but this can also increase the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects
Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that is heated and smoked. The term “crack” refers to the crackling sound produced by the rock as it is heated. Because crack is not a regulated medicine, the actual content varies widely, including many chemicalsfrom crude processing or added to blow up the size of the cooked crack or volume of the initial powdered cocaine.In purer forms, crack rocks appear as off-white nuggets with jagged edges, with a slightly higher density than candle wax. Purer forms of crack resemble a hard brittle plastic, in crystalline form (snaps when broken).
A crack rock acts as a local anesthetic, numbing the tongue or mouth only where directly placed. When smoked, crack can leave the tongue numb where the smoke enters the mouth. Crack rocks typically have a distinctive bitter taste and plant smell; however, other additives can alter the taste or make the rocks appear chalky Fake crack may be rolled in cocaine powder to simulate the taste and numbing effect. Purer forms of crack will sink in water or melt at the edges when near a flame (crack vaporizes at 90 °C, 194 °F)
Risks
Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure / Headaches / Abdominal pain and nausea / Decreased appetite, resulting in malnutrition / Irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and paranoia / Paranoid psychosis (loss of touch with reality and auditory hallucinations) / Addiction or dependence