Cocaine Facts
Stimulant;
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Oral(mg)
Threshold< 20 mgLight30 – 60 mgCommon60 – 120 mgStrong120 – 180 mgHeavy180+ mg
Starts in 30 – 40 minLasts 120 – 240 minAfter-effects 1 – 3 hours
Also recorded: Smoked · Insufflated · Intravenous. See full page: psychedex.org/substances/cocaine
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- High
- Chronic toxicity
- High
- Physical dependence
- Low
- Psychological dependence
- High
- Withdrawal
- Moderate
- Compulsive redosing
- High
Tolerance
- Builds
- Rapid
- Fully resets after
- 14 days
- Carries over to
- amphetamine;
methamphetamine; methylphenidate
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 5 possible
- Body
- Appetite suppression;
Pupil dilation; Vasoconstriction; Wakefulness; Stimulation; Body high; Insomnia; +21 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Heart rate perception changes, Temperature dysregulation - Thinking
- Compulsive redosing urge;
Cognitive euphoria; Thought acceleration; Cognitive fatigue; +16 possible, including Cognitive dysphoria, Decision impairment, Cognitive impairment - Feeling
- Euphoria;
+8 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Anhedonia - Self
- Craving;
+4 possible, including Ego inflation - Awareness
- none likely · 1 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Absolute
Long QT syndrome; Coronary artery disease; Concurrent beta-blocker therapy; Cerebrovascular disease; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy
Relative
Hypertension; Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment
Combinations68 recorded
Lethal (9)
2-Aminoindane; 2-FEA; Ibogaine; MCPP; MDEA; Methylnaphthidate; Opioids; Tramadol; αMT
Dangerous (39)
Amphetamines; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Nicotine; NRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; and 15 more, see full page
Caution (17)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/cocaine
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.
Seek help immediately if
- Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
- Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
- Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
- Seizures
- Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
- Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness
What to do
- Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
- Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
- Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
- Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
- If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
- Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
psychedex.org/substances/cocaine · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of