Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant and an appetite suppressant. Because of the way it affects the brain’s reward pathway, cocaine is addictive.
Crack cocaine is the freebase (vapor) form of cocaine that can be smoked. It is also be referred to as ‘rock’ or ‘crack’.
Cocaine travels through the blood, affecting the whole body. It is responsible for more U.S. emergency room visits than any other illegal drug. Cocaine harms the brain, heart, blood vessels, lungs, and can even cause sudden death.
