Cocaine and Cocaethylene Quiz

Drugs that increase brain activity by boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine. They also mimic the "fight or flight" response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant.

Cocaine is used as a local anesthetic during surgeries.

A smokable form of cocaine that produces a rapid and intense high due to its quick absorption.

Cocaine can be absorbed through mucous membranes, the stomach, and lungs.

Cocaine enters the brain rapidly and reaches higher concentrations than in the bloodstream.

Cocaine is metabolized by enzymes in the liver and plasma, resulting in a half-life of about 50 minutes.

Cocaine's main metabolite, benzoylecgonine, can be detected in urine for up to 2 weeks and in hair for 3 to 4 months.

A metabolite formed when cocaine and ethanol interact in the liver, having effects similar to cocaine but with longer duration and increased toxicity.

Cocaethylene blocks dopamine reuptake, similar to cocaine, leading to increased dopamine levels in the reward system.

Cocaethylene acts as a potent local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor, and psychostimulant with addictive potential.

Cocaethylene is more toxic than cocaine due to its potent calcium channel blocking effect, exacerbating cocaine's cardiovascular effects. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Cocaethylene has a longer half-life than cocaine, lasting approximately 150 minutes in the body. This contributes to its prolonged effects and increased risk of negative consequences.

Snorting, injecting, or inhaling cocaine initially causes a numbing sensation followed by an intense euphoria, lasting 10-20 minutes, leading to a mild depressive phase.

Cocaine users quickly develop tolerance, requiring increased doses for the same effect. This leads to 'coke runs' or switching methods to maintain the desired effect.

Increased cocaine doses escalate effects to agitation, impulsivity, anxiety, suspicion, paranoia, and possibly a toxic/paranoid psychosis.

Amphetamines can hinder attention and emotional expression, similar to ADHD symptoms. They also reduce gray matter in brain areas responsible for reward, memory, and executive functions.

Adderall, a medication for ADHD, contains both dextroamphetamine (d-amphetamine) and levo-amphetamine (l-amphetamine) isomers.

The most abused version of d-amphetamine is a modified version designed to cross the blood-brain barrier faster, achieving quicker and stronger effects.

Amphetamines have a longer duration of effect compared to cocaine, meaning their effects last longer.

The half-life of cocaine is short, around 30-90 minutes, meaning its concentration in the body reduces rapidly.

Amphetamine works by altering the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It increases their release, prevents their reuptake, and blocks their breakdown.

At low doses, amphetamine increases dopamine levels in the brain by promoting its release, blocking reuptake, and inhibiting its breakdown.

Low to moderate doses of amphetamine (5-50mg oral) produce moderate effects like increased alertness, mood elevation, and reduced fatigue.

High doses of amphetamine (above 100mg intravenous) result in more potent effects, including intense euphoria, increased motor activity, and potentially dangerous side effects.

Amphetamine can enhance performance in short-duration, high-intensity activities, but it may impair fine motor skills.

There is no clear pattern of birth defects, growth issues, or low birth weight linked to these drugs. It's hard to separate the drug's impact from other factors.

Children exposed to these drugs may show increased anxiety, depression, aggression, and attention problems at age 3.

These drugs cause withdrawal symptoms, but they're less severe than for other opioids. They include increased appetite, sleepiness, and mood changes.

Tolerance to the pleasurable effects of the drug develops quickly. This leads to a cycle of increasing drug use and withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms are managed by careful observation, identifying depression, and using medications for mood and psychotic reactions.

Methamphetamine works by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, mimicking the effects of cocaine and causing similar euphoria and alertness. However, unlike cocaine, it can be smoked, providing an intense rush.

Methamphetamine can exist in a crystalline form called 'ice', which is similar to crack cocaine's form but is made from the parent compound (methamphetamine itself).

Methamphetamine has a very long half-life (around 12 hours), meaning its effects last for a long time and it takes a while for the body to eliminate it.

Methamphetamine's long-term abuse leads to damage in the brain, specifically to dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals, causing neuronal death and cognitive decline. This can predispose users to developing Parkinson's disease.

Chronic high doses of methamphetamine cause severe behavioral problems, including aggression, paranoia, and psychosis. Users may also experience physical symptoms like anorexia, skin sores, and a decline in overall health.