The Hippie culture began in America as a youth movement from 1960 to 1970. This widely spread movement is linked with beat generation. This is based on the rejection of standard values creating a spiritual quest. Along with many other strange things it strongly emphasized the use of Psychedelic drugs. This brings a flood of drugs of all kinds like marijuana, heroin, cocaine. All these drugs strongly influence the world and their negative effects can be seen even now.
People who do not understand the action of drugs, especially cocaine, asked about its function and influence on health.
What happens if you swallow cocaine? There is a long journey of information from swallowing cocaine to its action, negative effect on health to its treatment. Cocaine is a drug that triggers the dopamine hormone. It controls the feeling of pleasure and disturbs the reward center of the brain. It creates a lot of health issues, the result may be the death of addicts.
In the past, it was used as a painkiller and local anesthesia. We have discussed every aspect of its impacts. Let us analyze its lethal effects.
What Happens If You Take Cocaine Orally
Cocaine may enter the body in three ways: nasal dosing, injection, and oral ingestion.
We discuss its oral ingestion and also compare it with nasal dosing. Stay with us for getting more and more details.
Some people take it as powder and rub it with gum. They keep it in gum for some time and then swallow.
In oral dosing, cocaine enters the systemic circulation very slowly and peaks after 45 minutes. The median systemic circulation bioavailability after swallowing the cocaine was only 33%.
This drug sends a high level of dopamine to the brain. That is a natural messenger for pleasure. That stimulates a high level of alertness and energy called a High.
Oral Dose Vs Nasal Dose
Most people take its nasal dose. Drug input was so powerful that its effect can be felt during the first minute. It’s vaporous readily reaches your brain. It shows its two peaks first at 10 minutes and the second is at after 45 minutes of intake.
While its oral dose shows its effect after 45minutes.in this way the second peak of the nasal dose has quite resembled oral absorption.
When the absorption of its contents is checked, nasal absorption is 12% more than the mouth.
This is the main reason addicts prefer nasal to oral cocaine dosing that is more immediate, improving the subjective effects rather than bioavailability.
What is Cocaine
Cocaine is initially developing as a painkiller. It is extracted from the coca plant. Cocaine is diluted with corn starch, talcum powder, and sugar. It can also be used with drugs like procaine,(local anesthesia) or amphetamines. Some basic types of cocaine are;
- Cocaine is a famous drug that is in powder form or crystalline form. It is most often sniffed. This powder readily absorbs the blood through the nasal way. It can also be ingested orally (keep in gums)
- Freebase cocaine is usually smoked
- Cocaine hydrochloride is an injectable drug
- Crack cocaine is not only injected but can also be smoked
Some addicts also use cocaine in the form of injection. It is highly risky as addicts could not manage it. Inhaling the cocaine is speedy and less risky.
Effect of Eating Cocaine
Effects of cocaine are powerful but for a short duration. Those who take cocaine orally are at risk of many health problems. Its effect is more adverse if it is used with other substances like Cannabis, Opioid, or Amphetamines.
Some of these adverse effects are shortlisted here;
- Respiratory illness
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Feeling of high
- Anxiety
- Poor judgment
- Irritability
- Hysteria
- Lake of self-respect
- Paranoia
- Tremor
- Comma
- Sweating
- Increase energy level
Signs of Cocaine Abuse
After its use, a person feels extreme energy and alertness. Nasal intake commonly appears in the runny nose or irritate nose skin. But if a person takes cocaine through their mouth they usually rub their gums.
Some other signs which occur with time are:
- Risky behavior
- Temper swing
- Weight loss
- Social separateness
- Widened pupil
- Bad hygiene behavior
Chemistry of cocaine
Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid. It is a stimulant drug made from two species of coca plant found in South America, Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense. It is the most popular recreational drug that activates the brain’s reward system formula; C17H21NO4.
Some more famous names; are Benzoylmethy lecgonine, coke, blow, crack. The outset of action: seconds to minutes.
Can You Eat Crack Cocaine
Yes, you can eat crack cocaine but it has very little power. Crack cocaine is heated and then smoked or injected. If you swallow crack cocaine it has the same effects as powdered cocaine taken orally.
What Happens If You Take Overdose of Cocaine
Cocaine taken through the mouth shows the gradual effect with the digestion of the drug. But the side effect of overdose readily reaches the brain if snorted or through injection. Signs of overdose can be checked by following symptoms:
- Hypertension
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Feverish movement and restlessness
- Teeth grinding and chattering
- Anxiety
- Tremor
- Paranoia
- Ongoing energy
- Sudden death
If anyone shows the above symptoms, you readily call the help center.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Several rehabilitation centers work for the welfare of men and women. The basic aim of all the centers is to recover the person and prevent relapses. Different strategies are applied for different patients depending upon their previous history. Basic treatment provided to the addicts are:
- Equine Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Mental Health Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Support Group Therapy
- 12-Step or Alternative Program
- Relapse Prevention Education
Mostly this healing program consists of 30 to 90 days programs. If the recovery of the patient is slow this duration may be increased. Never leave your dear one alone in this condition.
After recovery, the Narcotics Anonymous Program is active. They established permanent links and made a support program for a healthy patient to prevent relapse.
What Happens If Cocaine Used For Long Term
Long-term use of cocaine brings serious problems for addicts. Their decision-making abilities are reduced.
It affects the blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract leading to ulcers, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The function of the heart slows down and increases blood pressure leading to hemorrhage in the brain. Continuous use of cocaine leads to stroke, inflammation of heart muscles, and rupture of main arteries.
Addict use of cocaine in binges(use it repeatedly and regularly with ever-increasing doses) leads to low tolerance, frequent hysteria attack, crankiness, disquiet, and even full-blown psychosis. Overdose may cause death.
Oral Implication of Cocaine Misuse
Oral cocaine use has been shown to have numerous implications for oral health. These range from dental caries to periodontal disease. Here, we provide a brief overview of these consequences and highlight the need for early identification and treatment of oral cocaine misuse in order to prevent further damage to the oral health of individuals. Few things you should check which are given below:
Tooth Decay
Cocaine users undergo an increased rate of dental caries due to several reasons: involved in xerostomia (dry mouth). Addicts rub the drug directly onto the gingival surface which erodes the tooth enamel.
Gum tissues and Periodontal Disorders
Extremely dry mouth and lack of oral care lead to periodontal disease. Bruxing is one of them
Gingival lesions
When a person rubs cocaine on gum tissues it results in gingival lesions.
Temporomandibular Joint and Bruxism
These are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Its common symptoms are tenderness of the jaw joint, headaches, and facial bone pain.
Other Oral Infections
Cocaine invite several other oral infection includes
- Perforation of palate
- Bilateral cleft lip and palate in an embryonic condition
- Angular cheilitis,
- Halitosis
- Glossodynia
- Erosive lichen
- Planus
- Excessive hemorrhage after tooth
- Boca torcida(twisted mouth due to protruding tongue and pursuing the mouth or lips also known as crack dancing)
Nasal and Oropharynx
If the person is habitual of taking the nasal dose, it causes many things like:
- loss of senses of smell,
- nose bleeding,
- swallowing problems
- Extreme irritation leads to an inflamed, runny nose
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Coca Leaves Legal in The USA?
In 1961 the United Nations Convention of Narcotics and drugs listed the coca leaves as scheduled substances making their use illegal. Its leaves contain alkaloids that are the source of cocaine base.
So Coca leaves are illegal in the USA. It is prohibited in the whole world.
How is Cocaine Used As a Local Anesthetic?
Cocaine is commonly used as a local anesthetic. It is used on certain parts of the body such as the nose, throat, etc, to produce the feeling of numbness and loss of sensation. This is very helpful in different procedures and surgery without pain.
What Disorder in The Mouth is Produced by Oral Uptake of Cocaine?
It causes mouth lesions. Gums are swollen and rubbing on gum tissues causes tooth decay.
Loss of taste and smell is another symptom. It affects the jaw joint and it becomes weak and tender. Facial bone pain and headache is commonly occurs
Ending Lines
Drugs of all kinds bring health issues and bad fate. It is not only a great loss of money and health but also a drastic attack on communal life. It weakens the chain of relationships.
The use of cocaine is dangerous. Its oral use stimulates many diseases of the mouth, blood, and brain. Stroke is more common in cocaine addicts
Unfortunately, cocaine addiction increases day by day. We introduce a lot of ill effects of this drug. You should struggle for its reduction and bring youth towards healthy and positive habits to reduce the risk of cocaine addiction.
