Cocaine is one of the most widely abused, addictive and deadly drugs in the world. Since cocaine’s origin tracing back to the Inca civilization in the Andes Mountains of South America, to its mass production and trafficking today, cocaine has built quite the reputation. However, amongst these uses, forms and increased availability of cocaine lies a detrimental impact, the damaging effects cocaine has on the human body. The increased exposure, use and production of cocaine creates a difficult problem for those in the fight to reduce the drug's presence. Similarly, the everlasting effects of cocaine can be felt and seen much long after its first introduction to the human body.
Understanding the Pharmacology of Cocaine In the study published by Neal Benowitz in 1992, Benowitz aims to uncover the mysteries surrounding the chemical composition of cocaine. Since 1989, cocaine was commonly smoked in the United States and less likely to be injected through needle or insufflated (Benowitz, 1992). Cocaine can be obtained in the form of a crystalline salt (cocaine hydrochloride) or in small individual masses (crack cocaine) (Benowitz, 1992). According to Benowitz, crack cocaine became widely abused because it was significantly cheaper than cocaine hydrochloride; and crack provided vapors much more quickly in comparison
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However, very little information is given to describe the chemical content of cocaine and its origins. In contrast to the article published by Benowitz, this article begins at the core of its central study: the human heart. Without prior knowledge of the heart and its intricate components, this article may have been proven to be difficult for readers. The detailed explanations offered by Schwartz and his team require a second reading but accurately encompass the effects of such a deadly drug like cocaine and its impact on the