Freebasing Cocaine: Effects And Risks

Cocaine is an alkaloid stimulant drug that speeds up the central nervous system. People may use cocaine in several ways, including snorting the drug, injecting it, or smoking it.

Some people use the word “freebasing” to describe smoking cocaine.

However, freebasing and smoking are not the same thing.

Rather, freebasing is a process that turns non-smokable cocaine into a more smokable substance.

Freebasing, like other forms of cocaine use, can quickly lead to cocaine addiction due to its potency and strong effects.

What Is Freebasing?

Cocaine hydrochloride is the chemical form of cocaine that is created when the drug is turned into a powder.

This form of the drug has a high melting point, which means that it doesn’t effectively produce vapors.

During the freebasing process, the cocaine base is separated from the hydrochloride before being heated, usually in a glass pipe (one of many cocaine accessories).

Freebasing creates a form of cocaine that has few, if any, impurities.

For smoking purposes, freebasing also creates cocaine with a low melting point. As a result, this type of cocaine creates vapors efficiently, without the need for too much heating.

Freebasing Cocaine Vs. Smoking Crack

Freebasing is expensive, time-consuming, and highly dangerous.

Although it creates a highly potent form of the drug, it’s often more profitable to manufacture crack cocaine instead.

Crack cocaine is powder cocaine mixed with baking soda and solidified into white “crystals” or “rocks.” The baking soda lowers cocaine’s melting point, making it easier to smoke.

Unlike freebasing, creating crack cocaine can be done quickly and cheaply. As a result, smoking crack is a common choice among people who deal with cocaine abuse.

Crack has a few things in common with freebase cocaine.

For example, both types are generally smoked instead of injected or snorted. Both types also lead to drug addiction and other major health risks.

The main difference between crack cocaine and freebase cocaine is purity. While freebase cocaine is extremely pure, crack usually contains impurities.

Effects Of Freebasing Cocaine

Freebasing cocaine creates a powerful drug abuse experience for two reasons. First, the lack of impurities makes freebase cocaine more potent than other forms of the drug.

Second, smoking cocaine is one of the most powerful ways to consume the drug.

When smoked, the resulting cocaine high may last only a few minutes, but it works very quickly. The high will begin almost immediately when cocaine is smoked.

What Does Freebasing Cocaine Feel Like?

The short-term effects of freebasing cocaine are the same as any other form of cocaine use. However, a person may feel the effects more strongly.

Some of these effects may include:

• euphoria
• alertness
• feeling more talkative
• productivity
• increased heart rate
• high blood pressure
• paranoia

Is Freebasing More Addictive Than Other Types Of Cocaine Use?

All forms of cocaine are addictive. However, freebase cocaine may be even more addictive than other forms of the drug.

Cocaine drug use creates addiction by increasing the brain’s dopamine supply.

Dopamine is a feel-good chemical, and cocaine leaves more of it available in the brain. Freebase cocaine stimulates this reaction on a larger scale than most other forms of cocaine.

Risks Of Freebasing Cocaine

Because of its purity, freebase cocaine can heighten the effects of cocaine and create a higher risk of a cocaine overdose.

Freebasing cocaine also presents other risks, including uncomfortable side effects and dangers during production.

To separate the cocaine base from its hydrochloride, a person would need a highly flammable chemical such as ether.

Therefore, the production process creates a risk of combustion.

Crack cocaine became popular, in part, as a way to smoke cocaine while avoiding these risks.

Side Effects Of Freebase Cocaine

While people use cocaine to achieve euphoria and wakefulness, cocaine also has several unwanted side effects.

Freebasing may heighten both the short-term and long-term side effects of cocaine, making the person who uses it feel the effects on a stronger level.

Some side effects of freebase cocaine include:

• mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety
• high blood pressure
• constricted blood vessels
• hypersensitivity to stimuli
• insomnia
• malnourishment
• tremors
• heart attack and other cardiovascular issues from cocaine use
• headache
• stomach problems
• psychosis
• stroke

Some studies have also linked cocaine use to Parkinson’s Disease, though the results of these studies are mixed.

Recover From Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine abuse, especially freebase cocaine abuse, can create powerful complications. However, people who use cocaine can recover through the right addiction treatment.

If you or a loved one need substance abuse treatment, contact Spring Hill Recovery Center today.

Spring Hill uses evidence-based behavioral health strategies, as well as inpatient care services, to help people recover from substance abuse.