How Does Cocaine Produce Its Effects?

Thanks to research, now, people can understand how cocaine produces its effects. At first, cocaine will give a pleasant and relaxing effect. Research onto the addictive effects of cocaine has also shed more light into this.

The neural system bears the brunt since this is the region of the brain that responds to cocaine stimulation. It is located in the middle part of the brain at the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Studies from animals have shown that since the VTA extends to the nucleus accumbens. The level of the brain chemical known as dopamine is increased.

Dopamine in normal circumstances is recycled back to the neuron by a dopamine transporter. What cocaine does is attach itself to the dopamine transporter and therefore blocks dopamine from reattaching itself back for recycling. Therefore, from the high number of un-recycled dopamine, thus the pleasures brought about by cocaine. . Cocaine interferes with this kind of communication and thus causes the euphoria in cocaine addicts.

Since the intake methods of cocaine get it into the brain much faster, the effect is almost instant. The individual will brighten up and be more alert. Depending on the size of the dosage, a single dose will often go away in a span of an hour. People who have taken cocaine develop a method of taking it in small amounts. They develop an energetic and talkative character.

Prolonged use of cocaine will result to tolerance. The body now demands for larger doses. Cocaine will often decrease the user’s appetite as well as make them a bit insomniac. With prolonged use, where the individual increases the amount of intakes, the effects of poor eating habits start to be evident. Other effects of cocaine in individuals will include larger pupils; their hearts will beat much faster and increase blood pressure as well.

^{Reference: http://www.cocaineaddiction.com/cocaine_coke.html
http://drugabuse.gov/researchreports/cocaine/effects.html}