Cocaine+In+The+Brain

 Cocaine (C17H21NO4) has several affects on the brain. It is a drug that effects the central nervous system. It causes feelings of euphoria, pleasure, increased energy and alertness. People under the influence of cocaine often do not feel the need for food or sleep. They also feel energetic and may talk a lot. However, depending on factors such as environment, dosage, and the route of administration which the drug is taken, cocaine can have adverse effects such as violent, erratic behavior, dizziness, paranoia,, convulsions, and heart failure. These are only a few results of taking cocaine.

When a person takes cocaine, it causes a rush. There is between one or two minutes of intense pleasure. This pleasure is followed by five to eight minutes of euphoria. As the high comes down, an overwhelming crave for more begins, this may last for a day. When a user is between cocaine doses, the opposite effects occur. The user is depressed and tired.

The first time people use cocaine and its effects fade, they want more. This is the nature of the drug. The main reason cocaine use continues is the need to experience the "high" and the development of dependence.It was recently discovered through newer imaging techniques that cocaine hinders blood flow. This is why is it can cause brain damage or defects. Recent research demonstrates that if a cocaine user even thinks about cocaine, the blood flow is altered. This suggests that the addictive nature of the drug is stronger than we think, because simply thinking about it produces similar results in addicts' brains'. This is likely to be a result of the way cocaine changes the abuser's brain [|For a visual of how cocaine works in the brain click here]