What is crack cocaine?

• A. Powder cocaine that is snorted to produce a quick euphoric effect.
• B. Cocaine mixed with baking soda and water, heated, and often smoked, stimulating the brain's pleasure center.
• C. A hallucinogenic compound derived from coca leaves.
• D. A depressant used to induce sleep.

Answer: (B)

Crack cocaine is the smokable, freebase form of cocaine produced by treating cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) with baking soda and water and heating until crystals form that can be smoked. Smoking allows the drug to reach the brain very quickly, causing a rapid, intense surge of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathways and a brief but powerful high. This differs from powder cocaine, which is snorted and has a slower onset. The other descriptions aren’t accurate: cocaine is a stimulant, not a hallucinogen or a depressant used to induce sleep.