Many substances in nature have medicinal qualities. Leaves, seeds, androots of plants have very active alkaloids (toxins) that primary have protectivefunction for the valuable parts of the plant. The most valuable part hasmore toxins (for example: seeds). These toxins are lethal for the smallanimals, but also in small doses they produce some euphorically effectsin big animals like humans. When people discovered these pleasurable effects,they had discovered the recreational drugs. Long ago, South Americans discoveredthe pleasurable effects of chewing coca leaves. The effects of this drugon the brain kept the user coming back for more. The Addiction was born...Many recreational drug users argue that pure natural products will notcause the addiction in severe forms (marijuana case). Partially they areright; the quantities of active substances in this products are relativelysmall to compare with designers drugs, but natural desire for more: inthis case tolerance, pushing the user up to the limits. They use the drugin biggest quantities, in purest forms. In our era of technological revolution,when the purest forms of the drugs has been synthesized, plants with higherconcentration of alkaloids has been cultivated, we observed the severestforms of drug addictions. Cocaine was extracted from the coca plant in1859 by Albert Neiman. Cocaine was highly regarded in 1880's and 1890's,and many prominent figures advocate the therapeutic use of cocaine: PopeLeo XII, Sigmund Freud, Jules Verne, and Thomas Edison. The abuse of cocainewas largely non-existent in the United States until the 1960's. The useof the drug has been prohibited, both in patient medicine and for recreationaluse, since 1914.
Seehow cocaine is made
Synthesisof cocaine

    Cocaine has positive reinforcement effects, which refers to the effectthat certain stimuli have on behavior. That is, these effects include activationof the reinforcement mechanism. This activation strengthens the responsethat was just made. If the drug was taken by a fast acting route such asinjection or inhalation, the response will be the act of taking more drug,so the response will be reinforced. After cocaine is introduced to thebody it travels to reward areas of the brain: Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA),Nucleus Accumbens and Prefrontal Cortex. These areas are saturated withdopamine synapses. Normally, after dopamine release in the synaptic cleft,it binds to the dopamine receptors; reuptake sites (protein transportedstructures) will utilize the rest of the neurotransmitter (dopamine). Inthe presence of cocaine the normal process of reuptaking is breached. Cocainebinds to the uptake sites, which leave the higher concentration of dopaminein the synaptic cleft. The higher activation of dopamine receptors in thepost-synaptic cell causes increased production cAMP inside the cell. Itwill lead to changes including the abnormal firing patterns. As a resultof higher concentration of cocaine in reward section of the brain, it produceshigher frequencies of impulses, which activates the reward system. Chronicuse of cocaine creates a pathological pathway, which substitutes the naturalrewarding feelings. In order to maintain this pathway, the abusers haveto use more drugs (this phenomenon is called tolerance). The natural reinforcessuch, as foods, water sex, no longer are being able to perform this function.Besides the activation of the reward system, cocaine affects the metabolicactivity of the brain. The brain of chronic cocaine users can not utilizeglucose, the main energy source for the brain, which results in violationof many brain functions; also it can explains the craving for sweets incocaine abusers.

    Cocaine is potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects last from20 minutes to several hours, depending on drug content and purity. Theinitial signs of stimulation are increased motor activity, restlessness,tachycardia, increased blood pressure, and euphoria. The euphoria is quicklyfollowed by feelings of discomfort and depression and craving to re-experiencethe drug. With excessive dosage the drug can produce hallucination, paranoiddelusions itching, and cocaine "bugs" (sensation of insects crowing onor under the skin). Overdose cause tachy-arythmias and a marked elevationof blood pressure. These can be a life treating, especially if the userhas underlying cardiac disease. Toxicity results in seizures, followedby respiratory and circulatory depression of medullar origin. Cocaine isalso highly pyrogenic because the stimulation and increased muscular activitycause greater heat production. Heat loss is inhibited by the intense vasoconstriction.Cocaine-- induced hyperthermia may cause muscle cell destruction and myoglobinuriaresulting in renal failure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Intranasal:Absorption is approximately 80% through the nasal membranes when cocainepowder is "snorted." The blood vessels limit absorption. Chronic use resultsin ongoing rhinitis and necrosis of the nasal membranes. Cellulose granulomasfrom adulterants have also been found in the lungs of recreational "sniffers." 
• Injection:The intravenous route of administration provides the highest blood levelsof drug in the shortest time. Injection of cocaine produces an exhilaratingrush. The euphoria passes quickly as the liver rapidly metabolizes thedrug. Besides the toxic effects of cocaine, there is also danger of circulatoryemboli from the insoluble substances that may be used to cut the drug.Obviously, there is also a risk of serious infection associated with theuse of contaminated needles. 
• Free-base:The smoking (or injection) of free-base cocaine has become popular becauseit eliminates some of the cutting agents and also produces a stronger highdue to the rapid lung absorption. Cocaine hydrochloride is dissolved inwater. A solvent (ether or ammonia) is added to release the cocaine alkaloid.A stronger base is then added to neutralize the acid content. The solventrises to the top to be drawn off. As the solvent evaporates, the cocainesalt oxidizes off, laving cocaine base. In addition to the potential cardiovascularcomplications, side effects from chronic free-basing include chest pain,sore throat, hoarse voice, dyspnea, and an aching, flu-like syndrome. Thegreatest danger is that of overdose since a high blood level is quicklyachieved. 
• "Crack"is the cocaine free-base sold by drug dealers. It is so named because itemits cracking sounds when smoked. The relatively cheap cost has made recreationaluse widely available to a larger population.