brain. The human brain has 30 million nerve cells, which are separated from each other by tiny gaps called synapses. When messages are ready to be sent, chemicals flow into the synapses between one brain cell and another. Cocaine causes these chemicals to remain in the synapses longer, causing the brain's messages to be sent quicker. This then makes the body react to things much quicker and sometimes over react. Another part of the brain that cocaine affects, is the "reward pathway". Behaviors that are necessary to survival like eating, drinking, and sleeping activate this pathway, and are rewarded so that the person continues to do them. An addictive drug like cocaine activates this same passageway, and that is why the person continues to use the drug.Cocaine also has very strong affects on the minds of its users. There is a feeling of well being when high on cocaine, but when the high goes down, the mood can change quickly to depression. Cocaine users think that they are invulnerable, and that they do everything right. In reality, although they may do some things better, they can not do anything that requires thought. Many users talk a lot when they are high, and most of what they are saying makes no sense. Many users of cocaine repeat the same tasks over and over without realizing it. Some users become angry, wild, or out of control, and hurt other people. Other users become paranoid and feel everyone is against them, so they stay away from people. Longtime users begin to see, feel, and taste things that are not actually there (Bayer 18)."Addiction is the side affect to worry about the most." There is no cure or quick fix for addiction; stopping the use of the drug completely can only control it. Staying off of drugs is very hard, and "cocaine is one of the most addicting," but it can be done with the right help. Testing for the presence of cocaine, and other drugs, in the human body, is big business these days. As...
