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§2.3.13 · ChemicalsStimulants

Cocaine

Benzoylmethylecgonine

Also known as Coke · Crack · Blow · Snow · Nose Candy

Acute: High riskDependency: High risk Test for fentanyl

Images

Quick reference

Routes
Oral / Smoked / Insufflated
Form
Powder

Duration

Onset
2 Minutes
Total duration
90 Minutes

Experience

Primary effects

  • Causes mild stimulation, uplifted feeling, and gentle euphoria, potentially accompanied by mild visual clarity and calmness.
  • Can disguise and mitigate the pain of excessive alcohol consumption, acting as an apparent hangover cure when taken orally.
  • Induces a 'heady stim-like buzz' that is light enough to enable unimpaired functionality.

Peak character

  • Characterized by elevated mood, warmth, and a gently elevated headspace, potentially with mild euphoria and pleasure.
  • Can create a desire to socialize comfortably, though also enjoyable when relaxed indoors.

Negatives / side effects

  • Has high addiction potential and creates a 'slippery slope' to dependence, even if less obvious than other stimulants.
  • Prolonged or frequent nasal use can cause considerable damage to the nose, nostrils, and sinuses.
  • Sharing snorting implements significantly increases the risk of infection; always use clean surfaces and snorters, and practice good hygiene.

Aftereffects / comedown

  • Coming down is often gentle, with an elevated mood dissipating gradually.
  • Can lead to a desire for more after a pleasant experience, indicating a potential 'red light' for addiction.
  • Sleep is generally undisturbed, and there is often no hangover or negative payload after sensible doses.

Reference dosage

Reference ranges from third-party harm-reduction databases. Individual response varies enormously — start lower than you think.

insufflated
light20mg+
common50mg+
strong100mg+
heavy150mg+

Reagent testing

Recommended reagents
Expected reactions
ScottBlue (cobalt thiocyanate — cocaine-specific)
MarquisNo reaction / faint orange
MandelinYellow → orange
LiebermannYellow → orange

Adulterant detection: Scott test is the primary cocaine-specific test. Levamisole (extremely common adulterant), phenacetin, lidocaine, and caffeine are not detected by Scott. Fentanyl is increasingly found in cocaine supplies — fentanyl test strips are strongly recommended.

CRITICAL: Fentanyl-adulterated cocaine has caused a large number of overdose deaths — people who use only cocaine may have no opioid tolerance. Fentanyl test strip is a priority. Scott test confirms cocaine; other reagents detect stimulant adulterants.

Source

Reference fields and narrative for Cocaine extracted from The Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott (MxZero Publishing, 2022).

drugusersbible.com

Harm reduction notice

This platform provides educational and harm-reduction information adapted from public reference material. It does not endorse, encourage, or facilitate drug use. It is not medical advice. If you or someone near you may be in a medical emergency, contact local emergency services immediately.