Leaves of coca plants are utilized to produce the drug Cocaine, a substance which stimulates the central nervous system and suppresses ones appetite. Due to countless cases of addiction and dependence of individuals on the drug, many countries have prohibited and banned the possession, cultivation, and distribution of the drug. Despite heavy sentences and punishments await those who are caught violating drug laws prohibiting cocaine, it is still one of the most widely used substances in the world today, hence gaining notoriety and a status of infamy.
The drug, being a stimulant, imitates the actions of chemicals the brain makes, forwarding pleasure messages to the reward center of the brain. Similar to other substances such as adrenalin, Cocaine leads to an increase in one's heart rate, blood pressure as well as the rate at which one breathes. When taken in excess however, it leads to psychological problems such as drastic emotions of anger, paranoia as well as panic, including hallucinations. As a result, there are cases in which cocaine has also led to lethal seizures as well as strokes.
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Symptoms for cocaine addiction include cravings for the substance, depression, loss of energy, feeling fearful, irritability, wanting a lot or losing a lot of sleep, nausea, excessive sweating, rapid breathing, heart palpitations and an increase in appetite, lasting for about a few weeks even after an individual has stopped the use of