Cocaine is the drug of the rich and famous; it symbolizes success, fame, and fortune. Throughout the last century, there have been so many artists and successful people who surrendered to the white powder, and even today, with the awareness of cocaine’s possible damage, it is one of the most desirable and demanded products in the world.
Cocaine (coca leaf) has some other hidden benefits. Yes, there have been some really cool people who used and used cocaine just for fun or to escape the harsh reality, but what about Hitler? There are pieces of evidence that Hitler used cocaine during WW2. It’s hard to believe that Hitler used cocaine to get high, right?? He probably used cocaine because he had to operate the biggest war in history and had to be focused. Remember this word: focus.
While Hitler’s cocaine use is questionable, Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, had a passion for cocaine and a strong belief that the drug could be used as a medical treatment to fight depression. In 1884, Freud released a medical analysis called Uber Coca in favor of cocaine usage as a medical drug. However, even Freud failed to integrate cocaine as a medical drug.
A brief history of cocaine
Archeological findings prove that cocaine in its pure form, meaning coca leaves, has been used in South America since ancient times. The Inca Indians respected the plant and used coca leaves for sacred ceremonies; however, the use of coca leaves was forbidden and was given to the community’s leaders only.
Once the Spanish and the Portuguese arrived in South America, they immediately reported about the coca plant. Then, the Europeans realized that the coca leaves prevented hunger and stimulated the body, and they used them to increase the stability of slaves’ work.
Cocaine was first extracted from the coca leaves in 1859, and in 1880, cocaine was at the center of the medical community owing to its behavior, fast heartbeat, and nervous system effects.
Cocaine (coca leaf) medical uses
So, it has been more than a hundred years since modern medicine discovered cocaine, and it is fair to conclude that cocaine’s negative effects outweigh the positive. Yet, what are the new/old discoveries and benefits that cocaine, or more accurately, coca leaves, can offer these days in a legitimate way?
Anesthesia
Cocaine’s main medical use is for anesthesia, usually in surgeries. The fact that cocaine blocks nerve impulses causes the anesthetic effect, and due to its vasoconstrictive quality, cocaine creates less bleeding at the time of incision.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder with symptoms of hyperactivity, low attention, and impulsivity. The connection between ADHD and cocaine (also methamphetamine) is not certain, but one research shows that 10%-30% of those who are addicted to cocaine have ADHD.
We said before that cocaine (coca leaf) helps with focus. There are some who use expensive drugs for the purpose of succeeding in their career, sports, music, and, again, to win a war. Another research shows that cocaine increases the brain’s ability to absorb new information and make decisions, but in a way that involves addiction.
Wound Healing
As we mentioned, cocaine has the ability to reduce bleeding and, therefore, is recommended as a treatment for children with wounds without toxic side effects.
Stomach, Bowel, Asthma, Indigestion, and Malaria
Cocaine is a stimulant substance, and as such, it creates a healthy metabolism that cleanses the body. The Andean tribes use to chew coca leaf as a medicine for various diseases that contain bacterias.
Prevents Altitude Sickness
Well, the Andeans were mostly located at high altitudes and had to solve altitude sickness. Many studies have approved the effects of coca leaf as a cure for altitude sickness.
Weight Loss
Another cocaine effect is weight loss. Apparently, models know what they do, as cocaine prevents hunger and thirst. However, the implications for body health are not clear and can also harm the body. Of course, you would not suggest any person with an overweight problem start sniffing cocaine.
Cocaine changes the way your body stores fat and, in the long term, creates weight loss. Again, although nowadays you would not recommend any person to use cocaine for the benefit of losing weight, we could not know what the future might bring us – same as weed companies that discovered the medical qualities of the plant, perhaps someone might discover a healthy way for overweight treatment using cocaine.
Bottom line
No, we do not support cocaine as it is an addictive drug and has a damaging effect on the human body and mental health. Yet, every plant in nature has two sides of a coin; even heroin has some positive effects and might contribute to the human body. Similarly to the process of cannabis and the extraction of CBD, perhaps cocaine will be used as healthy medicine in very small doses to help people. Until then, the use of coca leaf tea can be the most legitimate way to consume cocaine and enjoy its benefits.
The chemist Albert Hoffman, who was the creator of LSD, argued until the end of his life that LDS could be beneficial if used in small doses. Perhaps coca leaves have some unknown magic besides the high feeling that is yet to be discovered.
