The normalisation of cocaine within the UK over the last decade has been quite staggering. It’s become an everyday part of life for many, particularly in white collar industries and “lad” culture.
A study in 2021 found that 30% of people at football stadiums had seen people taking the substance, while other studies found traces of the substance in every single Premier League football ground. Which is quite staggering.
It’s therefore perhaps no surprise that more and more people are finding themselves in cocaine rehab, while others are simply struggling to live without it. For many, they don’t realise what the substance actually does to their brain and how damaging it can be. So what exactly can it do?
One of the most notable ways cocaine affects the brain is by causing a huge surge in dopamine levels. This is the neurotransmitter that’s associated with pleasure and reward, playing a big role in how we experience both motivation and emotions. However, cocaine also blocks the reabsorption of domaine, which causes an accumulation in the brain.
That buildup leads to the intense feelings of euphoria, which will typically last for up to half an hour. However, the brain will then begin to crave this sensation, becoming reliant on cocaine for pleasure and reward. It’s not only dangerous due to that addictive nature, but also will lessen the pleasure of healthier highs we should feel.
Our brain does not function normally, with cocaine not only interfering with dopamine, but also serotonin and norepinephrine too. This affects our emotions, how we process information and, importantly, our decision making.
Many reports have suggested that cocaine fuelled the recent riots in the UK, with many of the mobs understanding in the cold light of day what impact cocaine can have on judgement, and they’ve dealt with the consequences as a result of that.
Memory, attention and judgement will be altered as a result, while chronic cocaine use can even lead to structural changes in the brain, reducing the size of the prefrontal cortex, which are responsible for decision making, as well as impulse control and reasoning.
While cocaine might provide that brief sense of euphoria, the usage of cocaine is actually strongly linked to exacerbating mental health conditions and disorders, largely due to the crashes following taking the substance. Mood swings, irritability and anxiety are all common, while they can have a big impact on depression, anxiety and even psychosis.
In the case of the latter, this can cause paranoia, delusions and even hallucinations, often resembling the symptoms of schizophrenia. This typically arises during heavy usage of the substance or during withdrawal.
One of the most severe effects of cocaine on the brain is its potential to cause addiction. The powerful dopamine surge that cocaine triggers leads to a cycle of craving and use that can quickly spiral out of control. As the brain becomes accustomed to the high levels of dopamine, it begins to require more of the drug to achieve the same effect, leading to tolerance.
As tolerance develops, users often find themselves needing larger or more frequent doses to feel the same level of euphoria. This can lead to physical dependence, where the body requires cocaine to function normally. The compulsive nature of cocaine addiction can make it extremely difficult to quit, as the brain’s reward system has been hijacked by the drug.
Actually, long term, brain damage is a common and irreversible impact of cocaine use, with prolonged use impacting the cells and blood vessels. This increases the risk of strokes, seizures and cognitive decline. It’s also often referred to as “cocaine brain”, which typically sees people suffer memory loss, cognitive impairment and difficulty concentrating.
That’s down to the impact on the blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to cell death and permanent brain damage, where the likes of speech difficulties, dementia and motor impairments can all occur.
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