Question

Cocaine is obtained from
A. Papaver somniferum
B. Erythroxylum coca
C. Atropa belladonna
D. Datura

Answer 1

Hint: Traditionally, several medicinal herbs and plants are used for medicinal purposes. It is broadly recognized for their action to enhance work capacity, along with the reduction of fatigue and the extenuation of thirst and hunger.

Complete answer:
Cocaine is a naturally occurring coca alkaloid which is obtained from leaves of the coca plant whose scientific name is Erythroxylum coca. It belongs to the family Erythroxylaceae and is a South American plant that grows on the foothills of the Andes. It is commonly called coke or crack. It is bitter, white, crystalline powder and known snow, sniff, crack, coke, etc. It is a powerful stimulant widely used as a recreational drug. It is commercially obtained from Erythroxylum coca. It is usually snorted, inhaled as smoke, or dissolved and injected into the vein. Some symptoms are fast heart rate, sweating, and large pupils. High doses of cocaine can result in very high blood pressure or elevated body temperature. Cocaine is a vasoconstrictor drug, and it acts as a local anesthetic. It is a potent CNS stimulant that induces a sense of well-being and pleasure, and it delays fatigue. Cocaine overdose can cause headache, convulsions, insomnia, respiratory, or cardiac failure. It may also lead to mental disorders and hallucinations.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Additional Information:
Cocaine is an addictive drug; the addiction is a result of its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. There is a high risk of dependence after a short period of use. Its usage also increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, lung problems in those who smoke it, blood infections, and even sudden cardiac death.

Note: Coca leaves are usually mixed with an alkaline substance such as lime and chewed into a wad that is retained in the mouth between gum and cheek, in the same manner as chewing tobacco is chewed, and sucked off its juices. These juices are absorbed slowly by the mucous membrane of the inner cheek and by the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed.