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Cocaine is primarily used recreationally for its stimulating and euphoric effects on human body. Due to its abuse, the possession, production and distribution of cocaine has been declared illegal by most [[country|countries]]. In the United States, it is classified by the [[Controlled Substance Act]] as a Schedule II substance, allowing only limited medical use. Along with [[heroin]] and [[methamphetamine]], cocaine is often considered a "[[hard drug]]", being much more physically addictive and harmful than a so-called "[[soft drug]]" like [[marijuana]]. Despite harsh penal codes against the consumption, production, and distribution of the drug, a [[black market]] is still flourishing. Street names for cocaine include coke, snow, and blow, among others.
Cocaine is primarily used recreationally for its stimulating and euphoric effects on human body. Due to its abuse, the possession, production and distribution of cocaine has been declared illegal by most [[country|countries]]. In the United States, it is classified by the [[Controlled Substance Act]] as a Schedule II substance, allowing only limited medical use. Along with [[heroin]] and [[methamphetamine]], cocaine is often considered a "[[hard drug]]", being much more physically addictive and harmful than a so-called "[[soft drug]]" like [[marijuana]]. Despite harsh penal codes against the consumption, production, and distribution of the drug, a [[black market]] is still flourishing. Street names for cocaine include coke, snow, and blow, among others.
== Pharmacology ==
The majority of cocaine's effects are due to increasing monoamine levels by binding to [[serotonin]] (5-HT), [[norepinephrine]] (NE), and [[dopamine]] (DA) transporters. This blockade prevents the reuptake of neurotransmitters, thus increasing the amount available at the synapse to bind to the post synaptic cell. In contrast to [[amphetamine]], a similar psychomotor stimulant, cocaine only blocks reuptake and does not stimulate DA release.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gold LH, Geyer MA, Koob GF |title=Neurochemical mechanisms involved in behavioral effects of amphetamines and related designer drugs |journal=NIDA Res. Monogr. |volume=94 |issue= |pages=101–26 |year=1989 |pmid=2514360 |doi=}}</ref> Cocaine's rewarding effects come primarily from increased activity in the [[mesolimbic]] dopamine pathway.<ref name="pmid1719677">{{cite journal |author=Kuhar MJ, Ritz MC, Boja JW |title=The dopamine hypothesis of the reinforcing properties of cocaine |journal=Trends Neurosci. |volume=14 |issue=7 |pages=299–302 |year=1991 |pmid=1719677}}</ref> The three most common routes of administration for cocaine are intravenous, smoked and intranasal.  All three routes appear to exert the same phamacological effect, and differ only in the speed of entrance into the brain.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fischman MW, ''et al'' |title=Effects of route of administration on cocaine induced dopamine transporter blockade in the human brain |journal=Life Sci. |volume=67 |issue=12 |pages=1507–15 |year=2000 |pmid=10983846 |doi=}}</ref>
Cocaine has an anesthetic effect by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium (Na<sup>+</sup>) channels in nerve cells. These channels are essential in generating [[action potential]]s, and their blockage prevents nerves from transmitting information. Topical anesthetics have been developed from cocaine's structure to take advantage of this particular property.
==References==
<references/>
== External link ==
* {{DailyMed}}
* {{MedMaster}}
* {{DrugBank}}

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Cocaine

Cocaine or benzoylmethyl ecgonine (IUPAC name methyl (2R,3S)-3-(benzoyloxy)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate) is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the alkaloid category. Its chemical formula is C17H21NO4. Cocaine is a colorless or white crystalline substance. It is primarily extracted from coca plant, largely grown in South America.

Cocaine is primarily used recreationally for its stimulating and euphoric effects on human body. Due to its abuse, the possession, production and distribution of cocaine has been declared illegal by most countries. In the United States, it is classified by the Controlled Substance Act as a Schedule II substance, allowing only limited medical use. Along with heroin and methamphetamine, cocaine is often considered a "hard drug", being much more physically addictive and harmful than a so-called "soft drug" like marijuana. Despite harsh penal codes against the consumption, production, and distribution of the drug, a black market is still flourishing. Street names for cocaine include coke, snow, and blow, among others.

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