During the 1800's physicians in the U.S.A. prescribed cocaine for depressions exhauster, muscle pain, asthma, and stomachaches or ulcers. Cocaine was especially effective in surgical procedures to shrink blood vessels, which then limited bleeding. Cocaine was also used as local anesthetic in minor surgeries. The name cocaine obviously comes from the plant coca from which it is obtained. A variety of names are used on streets to refer to this drug. Many of these names include: snow, French fries, nose candy, and for crack another form of cocaine, the most common street name is "rock". This addictive drug can do very harmful damage to the brain if used frequently. The ventral tangential area other wise known as VTA is located deep in the brain. The VTA extends to the region of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens; this is a pleasure center of the brain. When cocaine is used increa

sed activity takes place in the nucleus accembens. The normal communication process dopamine is released by a neuron into the synapse. There it can bind with dopamine receptors on neighboring neurons. In a normal cycle dopamine is recycled back into the transmitting neuron by specialized protein which is reffered to dopamine transporter. In the present of cocaine, it causes attack to the dopamine transporter. It also blocks the normal recycling process resulting in build up of dopamine in the synapse which contributes to the pleasurable effects of cocaine. Cocaine is a strong central nervous stimulator but also affects other parts of the body. Cocaine use can constrict peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils and increase temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Cocaine also reduces fatigue and mental clarity. Chronic cocaine stimulant abuse can lead to cerebral ischemia, cerebral hemorrhage, infarctions, optic neuropathy, cerebral atrophy, cognitive impairments, mood and movements disorders. Cocaine is known to degenerate gray matter, and therefore reduces the volume of some key brain regions. This loss can cause processing problems in many of the decision-making areas of the cortex as well as interfere with memory systems. Cocaine production begins in Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. Farmers harvest and dry the leaves and then processed into coca paste, cocaine base is extracted from the paste in informal laboratories, usually in Peru and Bolivia. Further processing continues in Colombia, where, the white powder, cocaine hydrochloride, is produced for export. Once in the United Stated the cocaine is "cut" usually with talc, sugar or baking soda and sold for further processed into crack. People can obtain cocaine fairly easy on the streets from drug dealers. Rocks can sell for as low as $3-$50. Crack and cocaine are most often packaged in plastic bags and sold in small quantities. Usually 300-500 mg or enough for 2-3 inhalations. Traditionally cocaine was rich mans drug. Due to the large expenses of cocaine habit, now crack is being sold at prices so low that even adolescents can afford it. As a habit increases so does the expenses. Many entertainers are often users of crack cocaine. Much stress of performing in front of large audiences causes people to abuse drugs as a stress relieves. In 1996 it was estimated that 3-6 millions Americans were regular cocaine users. An estimated 50,000 woman use cocaine during pregnancy. Cocaine can be taken in different ways. Cocaine users most often inhale the powder sharply throu

Some common words found in the essay are:
HIV AIDS, Incas Incas, America Border, United Stated, Cocaine Cocaine, Puerto Ricans, Colombia Farmers, Peru Bolivia, USA Traffickers, Coast Bulks, crack cocaine, blood pressure, cocaine cocaine, blood vessels, effects cocaine, cocaine crack, heart rate blood, physical effects, cocaine increased, south america, vessels dilated pupils, mexico central, dilated pupils increase, increase temperature heart, pupils increase temperature,
Approximate Word count = 1708
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)