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Mthandazo Ndlovu
The word cocaine refers to the drug in powder or crystal form that is mixed with substances such as corn starch, talcum powder or other drugs such as procaine (an anesthetic) or amphetamines. Extracted from coca leaves, cocaine was originally designed as a painkiller.
Cocaine is one of the dangerous drugs known to man, it has proven almost impossible for one to free themselves physically or mentally from it.
Physically it stimulates the key receptors (nerve endings that sense changes in the body) within the brain that in turn, create a euphoria to which users quickly develop a tolerance.
Cocaine can lead to death from respiratory failure, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) or heart attack. Children of cocaine-addicted mothers come into the world as addicts themselves, many suffer birth defects.
Cocaine causes a short-lived, intense high, that is immediately followed by the opposite, intense depression, edginess and craving for more of the drug, users dona��t often sleep or eat properly, they can experience an increase in heart rate, muscle spasms and convulsions.
The drug makes them angry, paranoid, hostile and anxious when they are not high. As cocaine interferes with the way the brain processes chemicals it makes one lose interest in other areas of life.
Coca is one of the oldest, most potent and dangerous stimulant of natural origin. Cocaine was first extracted from the coca leaves in 1859 by German Chemist Albert Niemann and was popularised in the 1880a��s in the medical community by Sigmund Freud as a tonic to cure depression and sexual impotence.
In 1886 its popularity was boosted when John Pemberton included coca leaves as an ingredient to his new soft drink, Coca-Cola. The euphoric and energising effects on the consumer helped to sky rocket the popularity of Coca-Cola by the turn of the century.
Cocaine is a stimulant drug, it makes one hyper active and is used by most people in the entertainment business, and also can be found in some medically stimulants.
More so it is found in food that contain coca leaves as an ingredient. This then makes everyone been a victim of been exposed, so we need to be aware of the ingredients of the things we consume and their quantities and also the urge of having them.
Cocaine can be taken in through injection and this makes one prone to hepatitis and other skin diseases, also it can be snorted leading to nasal damaged or consumed through the mouth leading to gum damage.
Next time you take your stimulant ask your self are you not exposing yourself to cocaine and when you have you coca leaves ingredients products.
Mthandazo Ndlovu is a Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Specialist. For help and more information call or WhatsApp +263772399734 or email [email protected]
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