Cocaine Informative Speech

Cocaine, also known as coke, is a strong stimulant mostly used as a recreational drug.[9] It is commonly snorted, inhaled, or injected into the veins. Mental effects may include loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness, or agitation. Physical symptoms may include a fast heart rate, sweating, and large pupils.[8] High doses can result in very high blood pressure or body temperature.[10] Effects begin within seconds to minutes of use and last between five and ninety minutes.[8] Cocaine has a small number of accepted medical uses such as numbing and decreasing bleeding during nasal surgery.[11]

Cocaine is addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. After a short period of use, there is a high risk that dependence will occur.[9] Its use also increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, lung problems in those who smoke it, blood infections, and sudden cardiac death.[9][12] Cocaine sold on the street is commonly mixed with local anesthetics, cornstarch, quinine, or sugar which can result in additional toxicity.[13] Following repeated doses a person may have decreased ability to feel pleasure and be very physically tired.[9]

This results in greater concentrations of these three neurotransmitters in the brain.[9] It can easily cross the blood–brain barrier and may lead to the breakdown of the barrier.[14][15] Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant which are mostly grown in South America.[8] In 2013, 419 kilograms were produced legally.[16] It is estimated that the illegal market for cocaine is 100 to 500 billion USD each year. With further processing crack cocaine can be produced from