Cocaine

Description

Cocaine is a type of Pyrrolidone Alkaloid that is often used as an illicit Recreational Drug and can be prepared synthetically.

Musculoskeletal System

 Cocaine causes Motor Hyperactivity.

Nervous System

 Cocaine (temporariliy) increases Alertness.

 Cocaine stimulates the Central Nervous System.

 Cocaine (temporarily) potentiates the synaptic actions of Dopamine (by inhibiting the reuptake of Dopamine into the Presynaptic Terminals from which it was released).  The dopaminergic effects of Cocaine involve Dopamine D1 Receptors and Dopamine D2 Receptors (and possibly other types of Dopamine Receptors).

 Cocaine causes Euphoria (however this Euphoria, which is the reason most persons use Cocaine dimishes in intensity with continued use of Cocaine).

 Cocaine (temporarily) potentiates the synaptic actions of Norepinephrine (by inhibiting the reuptake of Norepinephrine into the Presynaptic Terminals from which it was released).

 Cocaine (temporarily) potentiates the synaptic actions of Serotonin (by inhibiting the reuptake of Serotonin into the Presynaptic Terminals from which it was released).

Cardiovascular System

 Cocaine may cause Heart Attacks - the risk of Heart Attack increases by 24-fold during the hour after ingesting Cocaine (this occurs via Cocaine increasing Blood Pressure).

 Cocaine may cause Hypertension as it increases Blood Pressure.

 Cocaine may cause Strokes (this occurs via Cocaine increasing Blood Pressure).

Digestive System

 Cocaine may cause Intestinal Permeability.  ^[1]

Metabolism

 Chronic Cocaine use may lead to a lack of Energy (due to depletion of Norepinephrine and Vasopressin).

Nervous System

 Chronic Cocaine use may cause Anxiety: