What Are The Street Names For Cocaine?

The street names for cocaine include Coke, Blow, and Snow, among many others. These slang terms vary by region, user groups, and the form in which the drug is sold or consumed. While Coke and Blow commonly refer to powdered cocaine, Crack specifically denotes the solid, smokable form.

Here are some common street names for cocaine:

• Coke
• Blow
• Snow
• Rock
• Crack
• Powder
• Nose candy
• White
• Flake
• Bump
• Charlie
• Dust
• Pearl
• Yayo
• Base

How Is Cocaine Made?

Cocaine is made by extracting the alkaloid compound from the leaves of the Erythroxylum coca plant, which is native to South America. The process begins with harvesting coca leaves, which are then soaked in a mixture of chemicals, such as gasoline or kerosene, to extract the cocaine base. This crude extract undergoes multiple purification steps to isolate the active compound, including acid-base extractions and precipitation, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The refined product is then crystallized into a white powder form, commonly known as cocaine hydrochloride. This final form is further processed into crack cocaine by mixing it with baking soda and water, then heating it to create a solid, smokable substance. The entire production process is highly dangerous, involving toxic chemicals and illicit laboratories, contributing to significant environmental and social consequences.

What Are The Different Types Of Cocaine?

The different types of cocaine are powder cocaine, crack cocaine, freebase cocaine, etc each varying in potency, method of use, and effects. Powder cocaine is the most common form, while crack and freebase cocaine are smokable, producing a faster and more intense high with increased addiction potential.

The different types of cocaine are as follows:

Powder Cocaine: Also known as cocaine hydrochloride, this is the most commonly used form of cocaine. It appears as a fine white powder and is snorted or dissolved in water for injection. Powder cocaine is diluted with other substances, such as talcum powder or local anesthetics, to increase volume. Its effects are strong but relatively slower in onset compared to smokable forms.

Crack Cocaine: Crack cocaine is a highly potent and smokable version of the drug, created by mixing powder cocaine with baking soda or ammonia and heating it until it forms solid rocks. Smoking crack cocaine leads to an immediate and intense high due to rapid absorption into the bloodstream, making it highly addictive.

Freebase Cocaine: Freebase cocaine is a chemically altered version of powder cocaine that removes the hydrochloride salt, making it more potent and suitable for smoking. The process involves using volatile chemicals like ether, making production hazardous. Freebase cocaine delivers a rapid, powerful high but is considered more dangerous due to the risks associated with its production and use.

Coca Paste (Paco or Pasta Base): This is an unrefined, highly impure form of cocaine that is extracted early in the drug production process. It contains toxic residues from the chemical extraction and is commonly smoked, producing short-lived but intense effects. It is mostly used in South America and is considered extremely harmful due to its impurity and rapid addiction potential.

Pink cocaine; Though it may resemble cocaine in its texture, pink cocaine is actually a completely different drug. Pink cocaine is actually a synthetic compound known as 2C-B (“Tusi”) that is part of the 2C family of drugs.

2C-B is often sold as a bright pink powder that is snorted, though pill and tablet variants are also used. The drug is commonly used as a party drug as it provides stimulant effects similar to cocaine as well as hallucinatory effects similar to MDMA.

2C-B use has seen a resurgence in recent years, with party-goers around the world favoring the substance over traditional cocaine. Somewhat ironically, 2C-B has become incredibly popular with young people in Colombia, the birthplace of cocaine.

Known to those who use it as “tusibi”, Colombians are buying 2C-B at almost 6 times the price of regular cocaine and have built a subculture around using the drug, known as “neo-narcos”.

Pink cocaine has also been in the news recently as a more recent iteration of the drug's, which contains additional substances such as ketamine and MDMA, was found in Liam Payne's system after his death.

Black cocaine; Black cocaine (coca negra) is a way of illegally smuggling the substance and is not intended for use. To form black cocaine, cocaine base is mixed with other substances such as charcoal, thiocyanates, iron salts, and cobalt salts in order to get passed various drug tests when trafficking the drug to other countries.

Black cocaine is often disguised as charcoal, printing ink, metal moldings, fertilizer, and pigment in order to fool visual drug tests. Activated carbon in charcoal is also able to get passed drug sniffer dogs in some cases.

Once it has reached its final destination, black cocaine is put through another process in order to separate out the base cocaine. This process, known as extraction, involves subjecting the black cocaine to organic solvents such as methylene chloride or acetone in order to extract the base cocaine.[4]

Basuco (trash cocaine); Basuco, also known as trash cocaine, is made from the remains of the initial cocaine production process. As well as cocaine-production elements such as kerosene, ethanol, and crude coca left over from cocaine past, it has also been found to contain brick dust, ash, sulphuric acid, and in some instances ground up human bones.

The high from basuco is incredibly potent and highly addictive, with users chasing the short high (often only 30 seconds) with repeated chronic use. The high use of basuco is exacerbated by the low price, with hits costing as little as 20 cents. This makes basuco the cheapest drug on the planet, and one of the most addictive.

Basuco’s popularity has exploded in recent years across South America, with those living in Colombia becoming increasingly addicted to the drug. This has led to widespread cartel control of areas in Bogota and Medellin as the drug costs next to nothing to produce and demand is perpetual.

Fish scale cocaine; Sometimes referred to as Peruvian or Bolivian flake, fish scale cocaine is high quality, often completely pure cocaine. It is called fish scale due to it not looking like normal powder cocaine, instead having a shiny flake structure that looks like tiny scales.

Fish scale cocaine is said to have a more gradual high that has less of the residual side effects of powder cocaine, such as uncontrollable jaw movement (gurning/coke jaw) and prolonged adrenaline.

Some drug dealers attempt to replicate the appearance of fish-scale cocaine by adding levamisole to it, a form of worming medication for animals that can be hazardous for humans to ingest.

Yellow cocaine; While cocaine can have an off-white/yellow color sometimes due to impurities, there is no definitive difference. In powder form, yellow cocaine is most likely heavily cut with other substances and household items and is therefore potentially dangerous. Crack cocaine is also occasionally referred to as yellow cocaine.

Brown cocaine (brown-brown); Brown cocaine, referred to mainly as “brown brown”, is a combination of pure cocaine and smokeless gunpowder. Gunpowder contains nitroglycerin which when ingested causes vasodilation, allowing the blood to move around the body faster which causes the effects of cocaine to be more intense and faster acting.

Brown cocaine is rarely found outside of African nations and has a history of being used by soldiers in conflicts, most notably with child soldiers.

Any brown cocaine found in the US is most likely the result of impurities which may include harmful opioids such as fentanyl. Snorting brown cocaine containing fentanyl will likely result in overdose which may be fatal.

What Are The Medical Uses Of Cocaine?

The medical uses of cocaine are primarily limited to its role as a local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor, and diagnostic aid in specific medical procedures. Due to its high potential for abuse and addiction, its use is strictly regulated and reserved for specialized treatments where no better alternatives exist.

The medical uses of cocaine are as follows:

• Local Anesthetic: Cocaine is a topical anesthetic in certain medical procedures, particularly in surgeries involving the eyes, nose, and throat. It works by blocking nerve signals, preventing pain sensation, and making it highly effective for localized numbing.
• Vasoconstrictor: Cocaine causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow in the treated area. According to a study by Lange RA et al. 1989, titled “Cocaine-induced coronary-artery vasoconstriction,” this property makes it useful in surgeries requiring minimizing bleeding, such as nasal or sinus procedures.
• Diagnostic Aid: In some cases, cocaine is used to diagnose certain medical conditions affecting the nervous system. It helps identify nerve damage by observing how the body responds to its numbing effects.

How Do People Use Cocaine Recreationally?

People use cocaine recreationally by consuming it in various ways, including snorting, smoking, injecting, and ingesting it. Each method affects the body differently, with some posing more significant risks than others, especially in terms of addiction potential, overdose risk, and long-term health effects.

People use cocaine recreationally in the following ways:

• Snorting: The most common method of cocaine use, snorting involves inhaling the powdered form through the nose. This allows the drug to be absorbed through the nasal membranes and enter the bloodstream, producing a euphoric high within minutes. Repeated snorting causes significant nasal damage, including chronic nosebleeds and a collapsed nasal septum.
• Smoking: Cocaine is smoked in the form of crack or freebase cocaine, which delivers an intense and immediate high. Smoking cocaine rapidly increases dopamine levels in the brain, leading to a short but highly addictive euphoric rush. This method is particularly dangerous due to its strong association with addiction and severe respiratory issues.
• Injecting: Dissolving cocaine in water and injecting it directly into the bloodstream produces the most intense and immediate effects. This method also carries the highest risk of overdose, as well as dangers such as infections, collapsed veins, and transmission of bloodborne diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
• Rubbing on Gums: Some users apply cocaine directly to their gums, where it is absorbed through the mucous membranes. This method produces a numbing effect and a slower onset of euphoria. Prolonged use leads to gum disease and oral health issues.
• Ingesting (Swallowing): Some users swallow cocaine by wrapping it in paper or mixing it into drinks. This method delays the effects but leads to prolonged stimulation. It increases the risk of severe gastrointestinal damage and toxicity.
• Mixing with Other Substances: Cocaine is combined with other drugs, such as alcohol, heroin, or synthetic stimulants, to enhance its effects. This practice significantly raises the risk of overdose and dangerous drug interactions, especially when combined with depressants like alcohol, which create a toxic compound called cocaethylene.
• Freebasing: Freebase cocaine is chemically processed to remove impurities, making it more potent and smokable. This method produces a highly intense high but also increases the risk of addiction and severe lung damage due to the inhalation of harmful chemicals used in the conversion process.

What Are The Effects Of Cocaine?

The effects of cocaine are both immediate and long-term, impacting various systems of the body. In the short term, cocaine induces heightened energy, euphoria, and alertness but also leads to severe risks such as elevated heart rate, anxiety, and paranoia. Long-term use results in severe health complications, including cardiovascular damage, mental health disorders, and addiction.

The effects of cocaine are as follows:

• Euphoria: Cocaine induces an intense feeling of euphoria, resulting from the rapid increase in dopamine levels in the brain. This short-term effect lasts from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the method of use. However, repeated use leads to dependence as the brain becomes accustomed to elevated dopamine levels, according to a study by Nestler EJ. et al. 2005, titled “The neurobiology of cocaine addiction.”
• Increased Energy: Cocaine stimulates the central nervous system, leading to heightened energy, alertness, and hyperactivity. This is a short-term effect, and while it makes users feel more awake and talkative, it places significant strain on the heart and circulatory system, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues, as studied by NIDA in “Mind Matters: The Body’s Response to Cocaine.”
• Paranoia: Cocaine use leads to heightened paranoia due to excessive brain stimulation, resulting in intense feelings of distrust and anxiety. This short-term effect persists for hours or even days, and with chronic use, it causes long-lasting psychological issues. Paranoia occurs in 68% to 84% of patients using cocaine, according to a study by Satel SL, Southwick SM, and Gawin FH. et al. 1999, titled “Clinical features of cocaine-induced paranoia.”
• Dilated Pupils: Cocaine causes the pupils to dilate, a short-term effect of the drug, as it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system.
• Elevated Heart Rate and Increased Blood Pressure: Cocaine causes the heart rate and blood pressure to rise rapidly, which leads to serious cardiovascular issues such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes, particularly with prolonged use, as studied by Mersereau EJ et al. 2015, in “The effects of cocaine on heart rate and electrocardiogram in zebrafish (Daniorerio).”
• Decreased Appetite: Cocaine is a powerful appetite suppressant, which has a short-term effect. However, long-term use results in significant weight loss and malnutrition due to prolonged loss of appetite.
• Restlessness and Insomnia: Cocaine is a potent stimulant that increases feelings of restlessness and prevents users from relaxing or sleeping. This short-term effect evolves into chronic insomnia with prolonged use, severely disrupting the sleep-wake cycle. According to a study by Morgan PT, Malison RT. et al. 2007, titled “Cocaine and sleep: early abstinence,” polysomnographic (PSG) reports show after only two days of cocaine cessation, cocaine users begin experiencing increased sleep onset latency, slow wave sleep, decreased sleep efficiency, and total sleep time.
• Anxiety and Anxiety Attacks: The stimulating effects of cocaine increase the likelihood of anxiety, making users feel nervous, tense, and overwhelmed. This is a short-term effect, but with long-term use, it leads to persistent anxiety and panic attacks.
• Muscle Twitches and Seizures: Cocaine causes muscle twitches and, in extreme cases, seizures. These effects are life-threatening, especially when cocaine is abused in large quantities.
• Impaired Judgment: Cocaine impairs judgment and decision-making abilities, increasing the likelihood of risky behavior, including accidents or unsafe sexual practices. This is a short-term effect, but it has long-lasting consequences depending on the context (NIDA).
• Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Cocaine causes vasoconstriction, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Both are life-threatening conditions, and long-term use exacerbates this risk by damaging the heart and blood vessels. A study by Mittleman MA et al. 1999, titled “Triggering of Myocardial Infarction by Cocaine,” found that cocaine use increases the risk of heart attacks by up to 24 times within the first hour of use.
• Respiratory Issues: Smoking cocaine, especially crack cocaine, leads to severe respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, lung infections, and chronic coughing, due to damage to lung tissue. A study by Perper JA and Van Thiel DH. et al. 1992, titled “Respiratory complications of cocaine abuse,” highlights the long-term effects of cocaine smoking on lung health, including lung infections and permanent scarring.
• Nasal Damage (from Snorting): Repeated snorting of cocaine leads to damage to the nasal mucosa, including chronic nosebleeds, loss of smell, and a perforated septum due to the vasoconstrictive properties of the drug.
• Seizures: Cocaine increases the risk of seizures due to its stimulant properties, especially when taken in high doses. Seizures are severe, life-threatening effects that occur suddenly and without warning.
• Addiction: The addictive nature of cocaine is one of the most dangerous long-term effects. Prolonged use alters brain chemistry, causing physical and psychological dependence. Addiction leads to a range of negative health and social consequences, including cognitive impairment and social isolation.
• Overdose Risk: The risk of overdose is high with cocaine, particularly when combined with other substances. Overdose leads to heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, or death. This is an immediate and life-threatening effect of cocaine abuse.
• Mental health disorders: Long-term use of cocaine alters brain chemistry, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, paranoia, depression, and even psychosis. A study by Satel SL, Southwick SM, and Gawin FH. et al. 1999, titled “Clinical features of cocaine-induced paranoia,” found that between 68% and 84% of regular cocaine users experience paranoia, which persists for days or even weeks.