Coca leaves chewing

Cartmell, L.W., Aufderheide, A.C., Springfield, A., Weems, C. and Arriaza, B. (1991). The frequency and antiquity of Prehistoric coca-leaf-chewing practices in Northern Chile radioimmunoassay of cocaine metabolite in human mummy hair. Latin American Antiquity 2 260-268. 

Another of the main systemic routes is oral (Table 3.2). Sometimes raw plant material is chewed in order to release the psychoactive compound into the mouth cavity. Examples include the chewing of coca leaves to extract cocaine (Chapter 4) and the tobacco leaf to extract nicotine (Chapter 5). The problem with this is that many other plant chemicals remain in the mouth, and many of these are carcinogenic. Tobacco leaf chewing leads to oral cancers of the mouth, lips, jaw and tongue, often... 

The coca leaf is commonly chewed by the natives of South America. The natives claim that the cocaine depresses their hunger and increases their strength. The leaves are very bitter when chewed and are often flavored with another substance such as lime. It has been estimated that over 90% of the Indians chew the coca leaf. The native chews, on an average, about two ounces of coca leaf daily and is often characterized by blackish red deposits on his teeth. 

Coca has long been known to the Indians of the Andes region, who chewed the leaves for stimulation and increased endurance (Rudgley 1999). The coca leaf was an important part of the Inca culture. Knowledge of the plant spread to western cultures with colonialism, but wide-... 

Today, cocaine appears in several forms coca leaf, liquid, powdered cocaine hydrochloride, purified free-base, and crack and can be chewed, insufflated, or snorted into the nose, injected (with or without opioids), or smoked. 

The use of cocaine by humans dates back to prehistoric times. The Incas of the Andes regions of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru developed the practice of chewing the coca leaf more than 3,000 years ago. Archeological sites in Peru that date back to 1300 B.C. contain mummified bodies with shell vessels for coca and the powdered lime used even today to enhance absorption of cocaine from the leaf (Streatfeild, 2001). Coca was a sacred drug to the Incas. Mama Coca" was viewed as possessing a goddess-like essence. One myth had it that coca had been a beautiful woman who was executed for adultery. From her remains the divine coca plant grew, to be consumed only by royalty in her memory (Petersen, 1977). 

Consider the different effects and risks associated with the various forms of cocaine (chewing the coca leaf, snorting cocaine, injecting cocaine, smoking crack). Should different laws and penalties be applied to the different forms ... 

However, this research does not imply that cocaine use is safe. The size of the coca leaf quid that can be chewed comfortably releases only a small amount of cocaine, much less than what is present in the powdered or crystallized form common to modern recreational use. 

Cocaine is quickly absorbed into the lungs, heart and brain with almost instant effects, leading to psychic dependence and tolerance. It causes destruction of mucous membranes such as those of the nose. Coca leaf is chewed by the native South Americans, and appears to be relatively harmless in this form. 

Preliminary studies indicate that after chewing coca leaves, chronic coca leaf chewers of... 

Cocaine, as the leaf or as an extracted substance in different forms, has been used for different purposes. Andean Indians have long chewed leaves of the coca plant to reduce hunger and increase stamina. Pure cocaine was first extracted from coca in the 19th century it was used to treat exhaustion, depression, and morphine... 

In these early ceremonies, the leaves of the coca bush were chewed. The result was a mild stimulant, similar to drinking a few cups of strong coffee. Addiction was seldom a problem since each leaf contained only a very small amount of the drug. 

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