Until the turn of the century, cocaine could even be found in Coca-Cola. It was made illegal after World War I, except for medical purposes. Most of its therapeutic uses have since become obsolete with the advent of amphetamines and other synthetic drugs. The leaves of the coca plant are made into a paste and its contents heated with hydrochloric acid to produce cocaine hydrochloride. This most common form of cocaine is a white, crystalline powder, freely soluble in water, but rarely used internally or injected.
Cocaine stimulates the cells of the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.
The feeling of stimulation that comes from cocaine use is due to its activation of nerve cells in the brain that release dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and a sense of alertness. Physical symptoms include an accelerated heart rate and breathing, and higher blood pressure and temperature. The two most important factors in determining the effect of the drug are the amount taken and the method of ingestion. The effects of smoking cocaine or crack are almost immediate. The purity of the drug is almost always diluted by dealers wanting to increase the volume of the cocaine to multiply profits.