Cocaine vs. Amphetamine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 30, 2023
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the coca plant; amphetamine is a synthetic stimulant. Both impact the central nervous system but have different origins, structures, and side effects.
Difference Between Cocaine and Amphetamine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cocaine and amphetamine, while both central nervous system stimulants with potential for abuse, have distinct characteristics and origins. Cocaine is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, indigenous to South America. It has been used historically for its stimulating effects. Conversely, amphetamine is a synthetic drug, created in a laboratory, and it was initially developed for medicinal purposes, like treating nasal congestion and enhancing alertness in conditions like narcolepsy.
The effects of cocaine are usually short-lived, causing a brief but intense euphoria, making users feel energetic, talkative, and mentally alert. Amphetamine also increases energy and alertness but has more prolonged effects compared to cocaine. While both substances increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, leading to euphoric feelings, they interact with neurotransmitters in slightly different ways and have different durations of action.
The addictive potential and side effects of cocaine and amphetamine also vary. Cocaine is highly addictive, and its use can lead to severe health problems like heart attacks, seizures, and mental disorders. Amphetamine can also be highly addictive, especially when used outside of medical guidance, and can lead to severe cardiovascular, psychological, and neurological issues. Both substances can have devastating impacts on physical and mental health when abused.
Cocaine is usually found in a white powder form and is commonly snorted, but can also be smoked or injected. Amphetamine is typically found in pill or powder form and can be ingested, snorted, smoked, or injected. While their methods of use can be similar, the risk associated with each form of intake can differ due to the speed at which the substance reaches the brain and the intensity of the effects produced.
In conclusion, cocaine, a natural extract from the coca plant, and amphetamine, a synthetic drug, are both potent stimulants with high abuse potential but differ in origin, structure, effects, and duration. Knowledge of their differences is crucial for understanding their impacts on health, behavior, and society at large.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Natural, derived from the coca plant.
Synthetic, created in laboratories.
Structure and Form
Usually found in white powder form.
Found in pill or powder form.
Effects Duration
Short-lived, intense effects.
Longer-lasting effects.
Method of Use
Snorted, smoked, or injected.
Ingested, snorted, smoked, or injected.
Health Impacts
Can cause heart attacks, seizures, and mental disorders.
Can lead to cardiovascular, psychological, and neurological issues.
Compare with Definitions
Cocaine
A powerful, illegal stimulant drug derived from the coca plant.
Cocaine is known for its quick and intense euphoric effects.
Amphetamine
A potent drug originally developed for medical purposes such as treating narcolepsy.
Some people misuse amphetamine, leading to various health risks and potential addiction.
Cocaine
A highly addictive substance causing increased energy and alertness.
Cocaine abuse can lead to addiction and a range of serious health problems.
Amphetamine
A synthetic, illegal stimulant affecting the central nervous system.
Amphetamine use can lead to increased energy, focus, and a sense of euphoria.
Cocaine
A white crystalline powder with potent central nervous system stimulant properties.
Cocaine is often snorted for recreational use, leading to severe health risks.
Amphetamine
A substance affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to altered mood and perception.
Amphetamine's interaction with neurotransmitters can result in elevated mood and altered perceptions.
Cocaine
A drug causing short-term euphoria, talkativeness, and increased heart rate.
The user experienced a fleeting sense of happiness after taking cocaine.
Amphetamine
A substance inducing prolonged effects of alertness and energy.
The user took amphetamine to stay awake and alert for an extended period.
Cocaine
Cocaine (from French: cocaine, from Spanish: coca, ultimately from Quechua: kúka) is a tropane alkaloid and stimulant drug obtained primarily from the leaves of two coca species, Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense. It is most commonly used as a recreational drug and euphoriant.
Amphetamine
A drug that can be ingested, snorted, smoked, or injected.
Regardless of the method of intake, amphetamine poses severe health risks.
Cocaine
An addictive drug derived from coca or prepared synthetically, used as an illegal stimulant and sometimes medicinally as a local anaesthetic.
Amphetamine
Amphetamine (contracted from alpha-methylphenethylamine) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. Amphetamine was discovered in 1887 and exists as two enantiomers: levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
Cocaine
A colorless or white crystalline alkaloid, C17H21NO4, extracted from coca leaves, sometimes used in medicine as a local anesthetic especially for the eyes, nose, or throat and widely used as an illicit drug for its euphoric and stimulating effects.
Amphetamine
A synthetic compound, C9H13N, that occurs as a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers or as one of its stereoisomers (especially dextroamphetamine), derivatives (such as methamphetamine), or salts. Amphetamine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, and various formulations are used in the medical treatment of certain conditions (such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and illegally as stimulants.
Cocaine
An addictive drug derived from coca (Erythroxylum) or prepared synthetically, used sometimes medicinally as a local anesthetic and, often illegally, as a stimulant.
Amphetamine
The racemic freebase of 1-phenylpropan-2-amine; an equal parts mixture of levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine in their pure amine forms.
Cocaine
(countable) Any derivative of cocaine.
Amphetamine
(informal) Any mixture of the two amphetamine enantiomers, dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine.
Cocaine
A powerful narcotic alkaloid, C17H21NO4, obtained from the leaves of coca. It is a bitter, white, crystalline substance, and is remarkable for producing local insensibility to pain. It is classified as addictive and is not available in the U. S. without a prescription, but is nevertheless one of the most widespread illegal drugs of abuse. It is used in several forms, including small pellets of free base, called crack. Most of the cacaine illegally used in the U.S. is imported.
Amphetamine
Referring to a substituted amphetamine; a member of the amphetamine class of chemicals.
Cocaine
A narcotic (alkaloid) extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken for pleasure; can become powerfully addictive
Amphetamine
A potent central nervous system stimulant of the phenethylamine chemical class that is used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity.
Cocaine
A substance affecting dopamine levels in the brain, leading to pleasurable feelings.
Cocaine’s impact on dopamine levels in the brain causes intense but short-lived pleasure.
Amphetamine
A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
Common Curiosities
Is cocaine derived from a plant?
Yes, cocaine is derived from the coca plant.
Does cocaine have a short-lived but intense effect?
Yes, the effects of cocaine are usually intense but short-lived.
Is amphetamine a synthetic drug?
Yes, amphetamine is a synthetic drug created in laboratories.
Does amphetamine have more prolonged effects compared to cocaine?
Yes, amphetamine typically has more prolonged effects compared to cocaine.
Is cocaine usually found in a white powder form?
Yes, cocaine is typically found in a white powder form.
Is cocaine highly addictive?
Yes, cocaine is considered highly addictive with severe abuse potential.
Can amphetamine be addictive as well?
Yes, amphetamine can be highly addictive, especially when misused.
Can amphetamine lead to severe cardiovascular and psychological issues?
Yes, amphetamine abuse can lead to severe cardiovascular, psychological, and neurological issues.
Can cocaine use lead to severe health problems like heart attacks?
Yes, cocaine use can lead to severe health problems, including heart attacks and seizures.
Can amphetamine be found in pill or powder form?
Yes, amphetamine is usually found in pill or powder form.
Does cocaine increase levels of dopamine in the brain?
Yes, cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, leading to euphoric feelings.
Can amphetamine also be snorted, smoked, or injected?
Yes, amphetamine can be ingested, snorted, smoked, or injected.
Is snorting a common method of using cocaine?
Yes, snorting is a common method of cocaine intake, but it can also be smoked or injected.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
