Ritalin
Ritalin is one molecule that has fairly similar chemicals properties to cocaine the molecular formula is C14H19NO2. Ritalin just like cocaine can block the brains ability to reabsorb dopamine which leads to an influx of dopamine in our brains. Ritalin is a central nervous stimulant and is mostly used in children that have been diagnosed with ADHD. Most Ritalin users are children and are taken off when they read adulthood, however 10-30 % of cocaine users have ADHD. So once they are taken off of it, they try to self medicate with the cocaine which has the similar reaction of alertness, and awareness.
Refined Sugar
Refined Sugar is another molecule that is similar to cocaine based off the properties that it has, However refined sugar is an ingredient that is part of our daily food intake. The molecular formula of refined sugar is C12H22O11 which is somewhat similar to the cocaine molecule except for the nitrogens. Refined sugar is also extracted from a plant and is pure chemical just like the cocaine. However research shows that this sugar is more addictive than cocaine is, which says a lot. It also looks the same when looking at the physical property and how it is crystal like. Refined sugar lights up your brain just like cocaine does when you are looking at it through an MRI
Adderall
Isomers in Cocaine |
Adderall is also similar to cocaine in one major way the molecular formula is C9H13N. Adderall is also another drug that is used for adults with ADHD and one major similarity is that adderall has Amphetamines in it just like the Cocaine which is what helps you stay awake and alert and helps with narcolepsy. Adderall, just like cocaine is able to block the absorbency of dopamine which leads to an influx of it just like the ritalin.
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There are two isomers of cocaine, they are (+)-Cocaine which is the unnatural enantiomer. Then there is (-)-psi-cocaine (the C2 epimer of the unnatural cocaine).
Polymers
The larger molecule or polymer that cocaine can sometimes be associated with is plastic. There was an incident in Ljubljana, Slovenia where a gang was found to be lacing plastic with 95 percent pure cocaine. Cocaine laced in plastic is a new method of drug trafficking that not most people would suspect. It is smart that they would think of that, however extremely dangerous.
Role that the Elements Play
The elements in cocaine contribute to cocaine being a tropane alkaloid which affects a persons central Nervous System. Cocaine binds to the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine receptors in our brain to stop the re-uptake of them and an influx. Adderall and Ritalin have the similar properties when it comes to the central nervous system. Refined Sugar is just one element away from being cocaine which is the nitrogen. The feeling of euphoria is present in all 4 of these drugs in a different way once taken. These molecules are all polar and have similar intermolecular forces.
Work Cited
1. "Cocaine | Drug." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
2. "Gangs Turn Cocaine into Clear Plastic Products." New Scientist. New Scientist, 15 Apr. 2006. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
3. Giardino, Will. "What Is the Difference between Adderall and Cocaine?Frequently Asked in." What Is the Difference between Adderall and Cocaine? Quora, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
4. Institute of Toxicology. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
5. Koerner, Brendan. "Is Ritalin "chemically Similar" to Cocaine?" Is Ritalin "Chemically Similar" to Cocaine? Slate, 6 Jan. 2003. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
6. "Refined Sugar Is Almost Identical to Cocaine!!" Refined Sugar Is Almost Identical to Cocaine!! Spark People, 26 June 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
7. "Ritalin and Cocaine: The Connection and the Controversy." Ritalin and Cocaine: The Connection and the Controversy. University of Utah Health Science, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
1. "Cocaine | Drug." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
2. "Gangs Turn Cocaine into Clear Plastic Products." New Scientist. New Scientist, 15 Apr. 2006. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
3. Giardino, Will. "What Is the Difference between Adderall and Cocaine?Frequently Asked in." What Is the Difference between Adderall and Cocaine? Quora, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
4. Institute of Toxicology. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
5. Koerner, Brendan. "Is Ritalin "chemically Similar" to Cocaine?" Is Ritalin "Chemically Similar" to Cocaine? Slate, 6 Jan. 2003. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
6. "Refined Sugar Is Almost Identical to Cocaine!!" Refined Sugar Is Almost Identical to Cocaine!! Spark People, 26 June 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
7. "Ritalin and Cocaine: The Connection and the Controversy." Ritalin and Cocaine: The Connection and the Controversy. University of Utah Health Science, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.