Post by Admin on Aug 12, 2021 15:49:44 GMT
Hi all,
Another frequent query I receive in training sessions - how harmful is cocaine (powder)? Please see below explanation of harms relating to cocaine, and please comment if you have further questions, thoughts, or additions to this list (or want to debate anything I have put!).
Cardiovascular
Cocaine can cause cardiovascular damage in two main ways.
Firstly – cocaine increases the heart rate, but is also a vasoconstrictor. This means that while increasing heart rate, it also constricts the blood vessels. This leads to a larger amount of blood being pumped through a smaller space. This can lead to damage to blood vessels, increasing risk of strokes or aneurysms. It also places greater strain on the heart, increasing risk of heart failure.
Secondly, severe cardiac adverse events, particularly sudden cardiac death, become a serious risk at high doses due to cocaine's blocking effect on cardiac sodium channels.
Neurological
Occasional use of cocaine rarely causes permanent or severe trouble to the body and mind. In terms of neurotoxicity (as defined by the damage or death of cells in the brain in response to over-excitation or reactive oxidation caused by drugs), cocaine does not appear to exhibit these effects unlike certain other substances such as methamphetamine.
Very long term heavy use, however, can cause neurological damage. Evidence suggests that this pattern of use can cause the brain to adapt by producing less dopamine, to compensate for the elevated levels produced by cocaine. There is also some evidence of damage or desentitisation of dopamine receptors, perhaps due to constant overstimulation.
Cognitive
Again, occasion use of cocaine rarely cause permanent or severe trouble to the body or mind. However, studies suggest that a wide range of cognitive functions are impaired with long-term cocaine use—such as sustaining attention, impulse inhibition, memory, making decisions involving rewards or punishments, and performing motor tasks.
Overdose
Most cocaine overdoses occur as a result of sudden cardiac death, or a heart attack often due to a combination of other problems. For example, the risk of this occurring is elevated amongst heavy smokers, due to smoking also elevating heart rate and constricting blood vessels.
Susceptible individuals have died from as little as 30 mg applied to mucous membranes, whereas frequent users may tolerate up to 5 grams daily.
Thanks - Admin
Another frequent query I receive in training sessions - how harmful is cocaine (powder)? Please see below explanation of harms relating to cocaine, and please comment if you have further questions, thoughts, or additions to this list (or want to debate anything I have put!).
Cardiovascular
Cocaine can cause cardiovascular damage in two main ways.
Firstly – cocaine increases the heart rate, but is also a vasoconstrictor. This means that while increasing heart rate, it also constricts the blood vessels. This leads to a larger amount of blood being pumped through a smaller space. This can lead to damage to blood vessels, increasing risk of strokes or aneurysms. It also places greater strain on the heart, increasing risk of heart failure.
Secondly, severe cardiac adverse events, particularly sudden cardiac death, become a serious risk at high doses due to cocaine's blocking effect on cardiac sodium channels.
Neurological
Occasional use of cocaine rarely causes permanent or severe trouble to the body and mind. In terms of neurotoxicity (as defined by the damage or death of cells in the brain in response to over-excitation or reactive oxidation caused by drugs), cocaine does not appear to exhibit these effects unlike certain other substances such as methamphetamine.
Very long term heavy use, however, can cause neurological damage. Evidence suggests that this pattern of use can cause the brain to adapt by producing less dopamine, to compensate for the elevated levels produced by cocaine. There is also some evidence of damage or desentitisation of dopamine receptors, perhaps due to constant overstimulation.
Cognitive
Again, occasion use of cocaine rarely cause permanent or severe trouble to the body or mind. However, studies suggest that a wide range of cognitive functions are impaired with long-term cocaine use—such as sustaining attention, impulse inhibition, memory, making decisions involving rewards or punishments, and performing motor tasks.
Overdose
Most cocaine overdoses occur as a result of sudden cardiac death, or a heart attack often due to a combination of other problems. For example, the risk of this occurring is elevated amongst heavy smokers, due to smoking also elevating heart rate and constricting blood vessels.
Susceptible individuals have died from as little as 30 mg applied to mucous membranes, whereas frequent users may tolerate up to 5 grams daily.
Thanks - Admin