Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that causes an intense euphoria and rush of energy, but which is known for having additives that are potentially dangerous and also create impurities.
Because it does not contain additives, pure cocaine is a form of cocaine that might be considered safer to use by some people, but this is a misconception, as the drug still has many risks.
It is very rare, however, to encounter 100% pure cocaine in the United States. Most street cocaine and crack cocaine (freebase) is between 60% and 80%.
How Pure Cocaine Is Made
Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant, a species of plant that is found in South America and more specifically, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
Coca leaves are harvested, mulched, and treated with a binding agent and other chemicals in order to create a paste-like substance.
This paste is then filtered and refined repeatedly until all the liquid is removed and what is left is a fine, crystalline powder.
Cocaine powder in this form is considered 100% pure cocaine hydrochloride. This form of cocaine can be ingested directly by snorting.
Why Pure Cocaine Is Dangerous
By the time pure cocaine passes from the farmers to the consumers it has gone through many hands, with multiple possible cutting agents added along the way.
Pure cocaine reduces the risks associated with harmful additives and chemicals, however, there are still many dangers linked to pure cocaine.
The more pure the cocaine, the harder it will force a person’s heart to work. This can increase the risk for a variety of cardiovascular emergencies, including heart attack.
A person is also more likely to experience a mental health crisis, such as drug-induced psychosis, while taking a more pure form of cocaine.
Pure cocaine drug use can also result in a physical dependence much faster, which can lead to addiction. Someone who is taking pure cocaine frequently is at a higher risk of overdose.
What Are The Effects Of Pure Cocaine?
The effects of using pure cocaine are the same as the effects of cocaine in general, but amplified and heavily intensified.
Physical Effects Of Using Pure Cocaine
You may experience a range of physical effects from cocaine use.
Some effects of cocaine on the body include:
- fast heart rate
- high blood pressure
- high body temperature
- numbing sensation
- rush of euphoria and energy
- constricted blood vessels
- dilated pupils
Psychological Effects Of Using Pure Cocaine
Cocaine use also produces a number of mental side effects, some of which can make it difficult to function or lead to dangerous outcomes.
Mental side effects of cocaine use may include:
- anxiety
- paranoia
- depression
- irritability
- loss of mental acuity
- difficulty making decisions
What Cutting Agents Can Reduce The Purity Of Cocaine?
A number of cutting agents are commonly used in cocaine in order to increase the profit for the drug dealer without using additional cocaine products.
Some cutting agents are considered white powder fillers because they look similar to cocaine but have no effects. These include baking soda, cornstarch, sugar, flour, and talc.
Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, is also used as a cutting agent in cocaine. This drug is frequently used because it has similar numbing effects to cocaine.
Cocaine is most dangerous when cut with opioids, especially fentanyl. Other common adulterants include illicit drugs like MDMA, cannabis, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Harm reduction kits have recently been created to allow for drug testing at home. Although they are not 100% accurate, they can help to determine which additives, if any, a drug contains.
Treatment Options For Cocaine Addiction
A cocaine addiction can be difficult for someone to overcome on their own, and professional addiction treatment programs with medical detox can be very beneficial.
Inpatient and outpatient substance abuse programs can also help to ensure long-term recovery from cocaine by providing behavioral therapy and multiple types of counseling.
Find An Addiction Treatment Center Today
If you or one of your loved ones is living with a cocaine use disorder or substance use disorder of any kind, please know that help is just a phone call away.
Our treatment specialists can answer any questions that you have and help you locate an addiction treatment center to fit your needs.
Article Sources- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-cocaine - United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Cocaine-2020_1.pdf