Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is illegal in the United States but widely abused for various reasons.
Not only is it highly addictive, but its use can also lead to drastic changes in the body. Along with damaging internal organs, long-term abuse may also lead to a dramatic and unhealthy decrease in weight. Banyan’s Heartland Treatment Center is taking a look at the causes of cocaine weight loss and why, in this case, a thin figure is not necessarily a victory.
Why Does Cocaine Make You “Skinny”?
Sometimes nicknamed “the skinny drug,” cocaine weight loss is not uncommon. This illegal drug has a reputation for use among women for this specific reason. While traditionally considered a male’s drug of choice, more and more women are turning to cocaine to shed some pounds. Although they may have been successful in their weight loss journey because of it, the reward does not outweigh the risk.
Everyone is different, and how cocaine use will impact someone can vary. Because cocaine is so addictive, most people are unable to stop their consumption without formal cocaine addiction treatment at our Illinois drug rehab. Other people become addicted to cocaine because of its euphoric high, and weight loss is just a consequence of continued abuse. Regardless of the reason for abuse, over time, this could cause the user to become underweight or even lead to malnourishment. Both can lead to other serious health problems if ignored.
How Does Cocaine Make You Lose Weight?
New research suggests that the biggest reason for weight loss from cocaine is because of the way the drug impacts metabolism and the body’s ability to store fat. A study of cocaine-dependent men found that although their diet was high in fat, they were not gaining weight as would normally be expected. Researchers believe that the main reason for this difference is that chronic cocaine abuse interferes with metabolism in a way that causes an imbalance in fat intake versus fat storage. Unfortunately, it takes time for the body to correct this imbalance. During cocaine detox and early recovery, many users will experience unwanted weight gain.1
Does Cocaine Speed Up Metabolism
Cocaine can, in fact, temporarily accelerate metabolism. When someone consumes cocaine, the central nervous system is stimulated, which causes a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and attentiveness. The drug's capacity to prevent neurotransmitters like dopamine from reuptake results in a buildup of these chemicals in the brain, which causes various physiological reactions. There may be feelings of pleasure and an increase in energy as a result of this neurotransmitter rush. As a result of the increased central nervous system activity, the body's metabolic rate may momentarily increase.
It is worth noting that, as a stimulant, cocaine causes people to feel energized and more alert. For regular cocaine users, this often means long periods of wakefulness and activity that may take the place of normal sleeping hours. For this reason, regular cocaine users may burn more calories than they would have otherwise. Along with an increase in energy, cocaine is also rumored to suppress appetite. Not only will users be awake and active, but they also might not eat while under the influence of this drug. Regular and heavy cocaine users often don’t eat regularly, and when they do, it is not a full meal. When these poor eating habits become routine, they can lead to unhealthy coke weight loss.
Does Cocaine Have Calories?
Cocaine itself does not contain any calories. It is a potent stimulant substance that is chemically produced from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine primarily affects the central nervous system and does not feed the body with nutrition or calories, in contrast to meals or beverages, which do so. Cocaine quickly enters the bloodstream after consumption and has a stimulating impact on the brain, causing an increase in alertness, an increase in heart rate, and a feeling of pleasure.
Although cocaine itself has no calories, it's important to remember that the lifestyle and health effects linked to cocaine usage can have a big impact on someone's overall nutrition and well-being. Chronic cocaine use can result in poor eating habits, erratic eating schedules, and a disregard for vital nutrients, all of which can ultimately cause major health issues. Furthermore, cocaine addiction frequently results in a disregard for good nutrition and self-care, aggravating the harmful effects of the drug on the body.
The Dangers of Cocaine Weight Loss
Consuming cocaine to lose weight can be extremely risky and even fatal. High blood pressure, seizures, and heart issues, including an irregular heartbeat or heart attack, can all be brought on by cocaine usage. Additionally, it may result in psychological problems like depression, anxiety, and paranoia. Many people who use cocaine for weight loss develop drug dependence, which can result in addiction and a variety of other issues. Overall, using cocaine as a weight-loss aid can be very risky in addition to being ineffective.
Using coke to lose weight can significantly affect a person's social and professional life. The drug may cause erratic conduct and bad judgment, which may harm relationships, lead to job loss, and result in legal problems. Cocaine users may also run into financial difficulties due to the drug's high price, which can result in financial ruin. Additionally, using cocaine can result in an extremely difficult-to-break cycle of addiction and recovery.
Instead of using risky and potentially fatal substances like cocaine, people who want to lose weight should look for safe and efficient alternatives like a healthy diet and regular exercise.
The Importance of Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
The harm caused by this form of drug abuse should not be disregarded. With detrimental effects on a person’s physical, mental, and even financial well-being, seeking out treatment before the problem escalates is crucial. At Banyan Treatment Centers Heartland, our residential rehab program helps people overcome their substance abuse problems and address the ancillary issues related to these disorders. This, combined with building a foundation for a healthy lifestyle, leads to lasting success in recovery. We are proud to offer Illinois addiction recovery from cocaine and hope those in need seek out our available resources.
If you or someone you love struggle with an addiction to cocaine, call our Illinois rehabs today at 888-280-4763 to get help.
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