Powder Cocaine

Powder cocaine refers to the fine powdered hydrochloride salt form that is produced when crack cocaine is neutralized by an acid. This powerfully addictive Central Nervous System stimulant can then be sniffed or dissolved in water and injected into the body.

Inside the body the drug interferes with the re-absorption of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and movement. When dopamine fails to be re-absorbed by the body, once it has served its purpose, it produces an unnatural build up that causes the continuous stimulation of the receiving neurons. This triggers the euphoria associated with taking cocaine.

There are several physical effects when this drug is introduced into the body. Some of them are merely irritating and uncomfortable while others are potentially fatal.

Taking powder cocaine either through inhalation or injection produces immediate euphoric effects like hyper-stimulation, reduction of fatigue and mental clarity.  It also places the user at risk for the acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies associated with cocaine intake.

Most cocaine related deaths are a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by respiratory arrest.

Cocaine, administered in any form, causes constriction in the blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Users who sniff powder cocaine on a regular basis risk losing their sense of smell. They may suffer recurrent nosebleeds; have problems with swallowing and a chronic runny nose.

Some users indulge in escalating cocaine binges where the drug is taken again and again at higher and higher dosages. This level of cocaine abuse is particularly high risk. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns that it can lead to increased irritability, restlessness and paranoia that can culminate in a full-blown paranoid psychotic attack complete with auditory hallucinations and loss of touch with reality.

Sources: NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse (Public Domain)
               Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (Public Domain)