It is not considered to be a good sleep aid. Cocaine potentiates certain brain chemicals. Cocaine's arousing and addictive influences stem from its effects on the brain chemical, dopamine, which is involved in wakefulness and body movement. Sleep changes include reduced stage 3 and stage 4 NREM sleep and reduced REM sleep. When cocaine is discontinued, the individual becomes very sleepy and may feel that more cocaine is necessary just to function.
Cocaine is addictive particularly when used in the very short-acting form known as 'crack'.
They are powerful stimulants that are not unlike cocaine in many respects. Amphetamines also potentiate brain chemicals involved in wakefulness and produce changes in brain wave patterns. Sleep changes include reduced stage 3 and stage 4 NREM sleep and reduced REM sleep as well as decreased tendency to fall asleep and stay asleep. When amphetamine is discontinued, the individual becomes very sleepy and may feel that more amphetamine is necessary just to function. Also, discontinuation of amphetamine leads to greatly increased REM sleep known as 'REM rebound' which may be accompanied by nightmares.