Cocaine is one of the most dangerous and addictive substances on the planet. That usually a result of the powerful kick that happens the very first time you use it. The high comes on quickly, especially if it’s injected into the bloodstream.
Outside of the strong high, most cocaine users do not think about the consequences. There are numerous short-term and long-term issues and side effects that happen with cocaine use.
Most people do not try cocaine once and they’re satisfied. It often results in a prolonged addiction that many never break.
As a result, the side effects can vary in intensity and cause many psychological and physical ailments that, in many cases, are permanent. The damage done to the brain and other organs often lead to mental disfigurement and even an early death.
BREAKING DOWN COCAINE
The side effects that result from cocaine use are often instantaneous. Regardless of how a user takes the substance, either through snorting, injection, or in her inhaling it, it’s often very rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a quick and intense high.
Once the cocaine hits your bloodstream, it triggers the brain to release high quantities of the ‘feel good’ chemical known as dopamine. It also increases the user’s energy levels, makes them talkative, decreases their sleep, lowers their appetite, and increases mental alertness.
These all happen because of the different chemical reactions that take place in the brain. Other than dopamine, cocaine also releases serotonin and norepinephrine, impacting the mental awareness, sleep patterns, appetite, and energy level of the user.
SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF COCAINE
The increased levels of the above-mentioned chemicals do more than give the user a high. They impact the rest of the body in a way that feels good, but also causes damage. That’s especially true with long term use.
Here are some of the short-term. side effects of cocaine:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Cardiac arrhythmia
Cocaine restricts the blood vessels, so it does a number on your heart, elevating blood pressure and often resulting in a headache. If you already have a headache, cocaine will intensify it. A lot of cocaine users end up having heart issues with prolonged use.
LONG TERM EFFECTS OF COCAINE
When you consider all the damage a single dose of cocaine can do, imagine doing that to your body repeatedly, day-after-day. Or worse, going on a cocaine binge and taking higher doses in a short amount of time.
For those reasons, cocaine users typically have lasting lifelong complications due to the regular damage done to the body.
- Brain swelling
- Damage to the nasal membrane and other tissues, like the lungs.
- Liver damage
- Impaired cognitive function
- Kidney damage
- Gastrointestinal damage
The signs of drug abuse and addiction are all around us. We may even know someone who has battled with an addiction to cocaine. The best advice is to never even take that first hit. It’s not worth the short or long-term damage you’ll do to your body.