Crack (drug): its effects and consequences of consuming it

The world of drugs shows us every day that, under certain circumstances, human behavior can become as irrational as it is self-destructive. The fact of falling over and over again in the consumption of an addictive substance that little by little takes over one's own Life is an example of the extent to which a single habit is capable of robbing us of freedom, without the need to be locked up.

Of course, not all drugs are equally addictive and destructive to the body itself. Normally, those consumed mostly by the lower classes are those that have the most toxic and radical effects on the body. In this article, specifically, We will see what the drug known as crack is like, one of the most common cocaine variants.

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Crack: "the cocaine of the poor"

The drug commonly known as crack is a variant of cocaine that is usually made by boiling cocaine hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate together. As the water leaves in the form of vapor, the crystalline deposit that remains is this substance.

Typically, crack is sold in the appearance of stone made up of tiny crystals, and a powder can easily be created from this material. In addition, although crack is associated with white, these crystals can be of practically any color. Now, the degrees of purity of crack stones vary widely, and it is usually mixed with very different substances, such as talcum powder or amphetamines.

It is a drug for recreational use and that, due to its marketing outside the law, can be sold totally adulterated and with potentially deadly items with a single consummation.

Consumption mode

In deference to cocaine in stripes, crack is consumed inhaled, heated and smoked, usually with a pipe or similar object. The name of this drug comes from the cracking sound that is produced when it is heated.

• Related article: "The 5 types of cocaine (and differences in addiction)"

The effects of this drug

Crack is one of the variants of cocaine with the most powerful effects on the body. On the one hand, this substance reaches the brain faster than conventional cocaine. In fact, it comes into contact with the nerve cells of the brain in a matter of seconds, and in less than a minute the effects reach their maximum.

This peak or "high" also lasts very little, so that in a time that goes from 5 to 15 minutes the person who has taken crack notices how the euphoria disappears and remains in a state of exhaustion and discomfort.

This is because, at the peak of the euphoric effects generated by crack, the brain is flooded by a large amount of dopamineWhile when the effects of the drug wear off, the amount of this neurotransmitter plummets to lower levels than it was before consumption.

• Related article: "Dopamine: 7 essential functions of this neurotransmitter"

Common symptoms of its consumption

Among the most common effects of crack use are feelings of euphoria, panic attacks, insomnia, hallucinations, persecutory delusions and paranoia. And, among the most serious effects, are seizures, psychotic outbreaks and cardiovascular accidents derived from the sudden increase in heart rate.

In practice, people who use crack meet all the characteristics of drug addicts who act by limiting themselves to following all the steps that must be taken to consume as soon as possible possible. These behaviors include attempts to steal money, disruption of schedules and problems staying in the job, deterioration of affective and social relationships, including those involving friends and family, etc.

Regarding cognitive and emotional symptoms, both mood swings and denial of the problem are frequent, since showing this "weak point" is seen as something that can cause other people to prevent them from using again crack. In those brief moments of euphoria, those who have used crack frequently show joy and full confidence in their own lives. capacities (many times to delusional extremes), while when the effect wears off, depressive and insecurities. Of course, the longer you spend using crack, the worse the prognosis and the more difficult it will be to stay away from this drug.

The addictive potential of crack

As we have seen, crack has euphoric effects that are as immediate as they are fleeting. This, in practice, makes those who consume it try get another dose of this drug a few minutes after consuming, since the changes in the organism take place of a very sudden way.

Currently it is believed that crack is one of the most addictive drugs, both due to the type of habits that are promoted by this immediacy of the effects, such as its chemical composition and the speed with which dependence can appear. In fact, less than 3 consumptions are capable of generating a strong craving and general malaise caused by the absence of this drug in the blood.