South American coca bush (benzoylmethylecgonine)

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"The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject

Erythroxylon coca

Cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) is a crystallinetropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic. Specifically, it is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which mediates functionality of these neurotransmitters as an exogenous catecholamine transporter ligand. Because of the way it affects the mesolimbic reward pathway, cocaine is addictive

Consumption

"World annual cocaine consumption currently stands at around 600 metric tons, with the United States consuming around 300 metric tons, 50% of the total, Europe about 150 metric tons, 25% of the total, and the rest of the world the remaining 150 metric tons or 25%.

Cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) is "cut" with many substances as to make it a little less  pure, also to yield more product (sales)

Common 

• Anesthetics:
  Benzocaine
  Lidocaine
  Procaine

• Analgesics:
  Quinine

• Other stimulants:
  Caffeine
  Ephedrine
  Methamphetamine

• Inert powder:
  Baking soda
  Inositol

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.