Dr. Sunil - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Sunil

Is Cocaine Bad For You?

Also Known As: blow, snow, white, coke


Grade

F


Short answer

Cocaine is bad for you - it is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug.

Grade

F


Long answer

Cocaine... as we hear this name, some celebrities, models or athletes appear in our minds that have been found using this drug. So, if such high profile people use it, it may have some benefits, right? Let’s have a sneak peek on what it does to our body. The immediate effects of this drug include a sense of well-being, feeling more awake, increase in strength and violent behavior.

But it has extremely negative effects on our heart as it increases blood pressure and contracts the arteries, hence increasing the risk of heart attack. In our brain, it interferes with neurotransmitters resulting in less sensitivity to the natural world and substantially increases the risk of having a stroke. The effects of cocaine do not limit themselves to the brain and heart. It travels through the bloodstream and affects the whole body. Long-term use of this drug causes damage to lungs and respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract (causing ulcers in stomach and intestine), and kidneys. The use of this drug also leads to body aches, chest pain, hallucinations, depression, and sexual dysfunction.

Cocaine triggers and releases intense amounts of dopamine. It also prevents normal re-absorption of dopamine back into brain cells. This makes cocaine highly addictive. When one becomes dependent on cocaine, irritability, restlessness, anxiety, paranoia and an overall unpredictable behavior is usually the outcome.

Lastly, cocaine is a very rough substance on your nose. Lots of cocaine can actually "burn" a hole in your nose (also known as a septal perforation), and cause the nose structure to collapse.


Possible short-term side effects

  • body aches / pains
  • increased blood pressure
  • violent / unpredictable behavior
  • death from overdose

Possible long-term side effects

  • respiratory damage
  • kidney damage
  • septal perforation
  • heart attack
  • ulcers

Possible withdrawal symptoms

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • chills
  • tremors / shakiness
  • pain
  • exhaustion
  • trouble concentrating
  • intense cravings for coke


Benefits

  • increased sense of well-being (short-lived)

Healthier alternatives




Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016




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