Its initial effect is to release a large amount of dopamine, a brain chemical inducing feelings of euphoria. Psychological effectsĬrack cocaine is a substance that affects the brain chemistry of the user: causing euphoria, supreme confidence, loss of appetite, insomnia, alertness, increased energy, a craving for more cocaine, and potential paranoia (ending after use). However, whereas powder cocaine dissolves in water, crack must be dissolved in an acidic solution such as lemon juice or white vinegar. Crack cocaine can also be injected intravenously with the same effect as powder cocaine. Users obtain an intense high much more quickly thusly than with the normal method of insufflating ("sniffing" or "snorting") powder cocaine. Whereas cocaine hydrochloride cannot be smoked (burns with no effect), crack cocaine when smoked allows for quick absorption into the blood stream, and reaches the brain in 8 seconds. This pulls the oil up and spins it, allowing air to set and dry the oil, and allows the user and/or maker to roll the oil into the rock-like shape.Ĭrack vaporizes near temperature 90 ☌ (194 ☏), much lower than the cocaine hydrochloride melting point of 190 ☌ (374 ☏). It is at this point that the oil is picked up rapidly, usually with a pin or long thin object. Once separated from the hydrochloride, the cocaine alkaloid floats to the top of the now leftover liquid.
Making crack with levamisole powder free#
Once mixed and heated, the bicarbonate breaks down into carbon dioxide and sodium carbonate, which then reacts with the hydrochloride of the cocaine molecule, leaving cocaine as an oily free base. This process is done with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), water, and a spoon. With Ammonium carbonate: 2(Coc-H +Cl −) + (NH 4) 2CO 3 → 2 Coc + 2 NH 4Cl + CO 2 + H 2OĬrack cocaine is usually purchased already in rock form, although it is not uncommon for some users to "wash up" or "cook" the cocaine into crack themselves. With Ammonium bicarbonate: Coc-H +Cl − + NH 4HCO 3 → Coc + NH 4Cl + CO 2 + H 2O The net reaction when using sodium bicarbonate is Coc-H +Cl − + NaHCO 3 → Coc + H 2O + CO 2 + NaCl Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3, common baking soda) is a base used in preparation of crack, although other weak bases may substitute for it.
Use of toxic adulterants such as levamisole has been documented. Kent Dahl, with Red Deer RCMP Federal Drugs, Canada, white substances mimicking the appearance of cocaine are added to increase bulk. Ĭrack cocaine as sold on the streets may be adulterated or "buffed" to increase bulk. Purer forms of crack will sink in water or melt at the edges when near a flame (crack vaporizes at 90 ☌, 194 ☏). When smoked, crack can leave the tongue numb where the smoke enters the mouth. A crack rock acts as a local anesthetic (see: cocaine), numbing the tongue or mouth only where directly placed. Purer forms of crack resemble a hard brittle plastic, in crystalline form (snaps when broken). In purer forms, crack rocks appear as off-white nuggets with jagged edges, with a slightly higher density than candle wax.