Cocaine

Psilocybin in the treatment of cocaine use disorder

Rewiring addiction with designer proteins

Researchers at UC San Diego and NIDA developed a new biochemical approach to combat addiction by custom engineering ion channels to be activated by cocaine, breaking the positive feedback loop. This approach could lead to gene therapies for cocaine addiction that preserve enjoyment of regular activities.

Polysubstance involvement in youth opioid overdoses increases with age

Among youth aged 15-24, polysubstance-involved opioid overdose deaths rose steadily with age, driven by fentanyl and synthetic opioids. By age 21, polysubstance involvement surpassed opioid-only fatalities, primarily due to stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.

What do you do if your dog ingests cocaine? How one researcher is trying to protect pets from future accidents

Dr. Jake Johnson explains the challenges of studying canine cocaine toxicosis, including limited data and messy clinical reality. He shares insights on diagnosing symptoms, prevention measures, and the importance of owner honesty in seeking veterinary help.

Findings of study on how illegally manufactured fentanyl enters U.S. contradict common assumptions, undermining efforts to control supply

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University found that illegally manufactured fentanyl primarily enters the US via counties along the Canadian border. The analysis revealed these counties accounted for over 40% of large fentanyl seizures in 2023-2024, despite comprising only 3.1% of the national population. This finding undermines eff...

Increasing contingency management incentives will help more patients recover from addiction

A JAMA Psychiatry study recommends increasing contingency management incentives to improve opioid addiction recovery outcomes. The research team suggests using evidence-based incentive amounts, such as $128 per week for vouchers or $55 per week for prizes over 12 weeks, to effectively reduce stimulant and/or opioid use.

Fruit flies on cocaine could reveal better therapies for addiction

Researchers created genetically modified fruit flies that become addicted to cocaine, revealing a potential model for understanding and treating cocaine use disorder. The study's findings suggest that the key to preventing cocaine addiction lies in the flies' ability to detect bitter flavors, which can be mimicked in humans.

Tusi (a mixture of ketamine and other drugs) is on the rise among NYC nightclub attendees

A new study estimates that 2.7% of NYC electronic dance music-nightclub attending adults used Tusi in the past year, with risks of adverse or unexpected effects due to its often adulterated nature. The use of Tusi has been reported in Latin America and Europe since the past decade.

Dr. Nora Volkow shares insights on addiction science and harm reduction in Genomic Press interview

Dr. Volkow emphasizes the importance of prevention strategies and research on stress, trauma, and social determinants in substance use disorders. She also highlights promising new directions in treatment, including GLP1 medications, to address the treatment gap in addiction.

Fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine analyte concentrations in urine drug testing specimens

A cross-sectional study found increasing concentrations of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in urine specimens from 2013 to 2023, highlighting a shift in illicit substance use patterns. Heroin concentration decreased during this period, emphasizing the need for updated surveillance initiatives and treatment strategies.

Central America could play troubling new role in cocaine trade

A new study finds nearly half of northern Central America is suitable for growing coca, a lucrative cash crop. The region's favorable climate and soil conditions make it an attractive location for criminal groups seeking to expand their operations.

We can’t distinguish wild coca plants from those grown to make cocaine

A new study reveals that coca plants grown for cocaine production are difficult to distinguish from wild-growing varieties based on leaf shape and size. The researchers used genetic analysis to estimate when different coca species and varieties originated, suggesting a longer evolutionary history than previously thought.

Cocaine trafficking threatens critical bird habitats

A new study finds that two-thirds of critical bird habitats are at increased risk from cocaine trafficking activities. The study highlights the unexpected connection between drug trafficking and biodiversity, revealing that areas with growing levels of cocaine trafficking become more attractive to migratory birds.

To what extent are pharmaceutical and illicit drugs contaminating city rivers?

A study found that pharmaceuticals like metoprolol and atenolol, as well as illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were present in over 60% of water samples from Hudson and East Rivers. Enterococci bacteria and rainfall also contributed to drug presence, highlighting the need for improved water management systems

Cocaine is an emerging contaminant of concern in the Bay of Santos (Brazil), says researcher

Researchers have identified cocaine as a contaminant of concern in the Bay of Santos' water, sediments, and marine organisms. The drug causes toxicological effects in animals such as mussels, oysters, and fish, with severe bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological risks.

Smartphone swabs provide convenient toxicology testing

A new study published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine reveals that smartphone swabs can successfully detect drugs on phone surfaces. The method, which uses dry swabs, identified MDMA, cocaine, and THC as the most common substances, with other drugs including ketamine, LSD, and heroin also detected.

DNA aptamer drug sensors can instantly detect cocaine, heroin and fentanyl – even when combined with other drugs

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed highly accurate DNA aptamers for detecting cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The sensors can detect trace amounts of these drugs, even when mixed with other substances, offering a significant improvement over existing tests.

Dopamine production is not behind vulnerability to cocaine abuse

A UNIGE team found that impulsivity, not dopamine production, predicts cocaine abuse. The study suggests alternative mechanisms controlling dopamine release may drive individual vulnerability to drugs.

Pitt receives new grant to improve opioid use disorder treatment

The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...

Researchers adapt health system COVID-19 collaboration to track near-real-time trends in visits for substance use

Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.

Cellular atlas of amygdala reveals new treatment target for cocaine addiction

Researchers created a unique, cell-by-cell atlas of the amygdala to identify potential new treatments for cocaine addiction. The study revealed connections between addiction behaviors and genes involved in energy metabolism, offering a brand-new way of thinking about the molecular biology of cocaine addiction.

The fourth wave of the US overdose crisis: fentanyl and stimulants

US overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants have increased by 50-fold since 2010, with stimulants becoming the most common drug class found in fentanyl-involved overdoses. The rise poses new challenges for healthcare providers due to the complexity of treating polysubstance use.

Changes in gut microbiome alters rewarding effects of cocaine and cravings

A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that changes in the gut microbiome significantly impact cocaine use and cravings after withdrawal. The researchers discovered that a depleted microbiome led to increased cocaine-seeking behavior and altered neurobiological markers in reward-related brain structures.

Addiction scientists seek to better understand cocaine use disorder: ‘Stimulants are coming back’

Cocaine use disorder has been rising for over a decade, with no robust treatment available. Researchers are using cocaine contingency management to provide cash or value in exchange for drug-free urine samples, aiming to change an individual's temporal horizon and reduce consumption. The study aims to guide innovative interventions tha...

Environmental context strongly influences drug dependence, study shows

Researchers found that environmental context influences drug dependence by associating psychostimulant effects with specific environments. The study observed behavioral sensitization and brain activation patterns in mice with cocaine dependence, mirroring human cravings for a specific environment or location.

Cocaine damage routinely misdiagnosed as nonthreatening nasal disease

Researchers find that patients with destructive nasal lesions may be suffering from cocaine-induced granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a condition often misdiagnosed. Cocaine use can trigger production of antibodies leading to symptoms similar to idiopathic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.

Drug overdose fatalities among US older adults has quadrupled over 20 years, UCLA research finds

Overdose mortality among people aged 65 and older has quadrupled, driven by illicit drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and synthetic opioids. Researchers call for updated Medicare coverage and harm reduction supplies to curb the trend.

Antidepressant medication may be key to help people stop use of cocaine while in treatment for opioid use disorder

A new study found that bupropion, an antidepressant medication, can help people stop using cocaine while receiving methadone for opioid use disorder. Participants who received monetary incentives to quit cocaine saw a higher success rate when taking bupropion compared to those with placebo.

Cocaethylene cardiotoxicity in emergency department patients with acute drug overdose

A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that combining cocaine with ethanol increases the risk of cardiac arrest, higher lactate concentrations, and lower occurrence of myocardial injury. The study suggests that cocaethylene, a metabolite of cocaine and ethanol, is more toxic than either substance alone.

New study reveals ketamine could be effective treatment for cocaine-use disorders

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University used AI to analyze vast amounts of biomedical knowledge and electronic health records. The study found that ketamine improved remission rates among patients with cocaine-use disorders by two to four times. While promising, additional clinical trials are needed to fully assess ketamine's po...

Cocaine addiction makes the brain age faster, suggests study

Researchers have discovered that cocaine addiction is associated with faster brain aging, with changes in DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex contributing to this effect. The study, which analyzed cryo-preserved brains of deceased male donors, found that cells in this region appeared biologically older in individuals with CUD.

Endocarditis in patients with cocaine or opioid use disorder saw marked increase between 2011 to 2022

A new study found that the incidence rate of endocarditis among patients with cocaine use disorder or opioid use disorder increased significantly between 2011 and 2022. The risk was higher in patients with COVID-19, with a mortality rate of 9% within 180 days of diagnosis.

Risk of endocarditis more than 3x higher after COVID-19 infection in patients with cocaine, opioid abuse disorders

Patients with cocaine and opioid use disorders are at higher risk of developing endocarditis after COVID-19 infection, according to new research. The study found a significant increase in endocarditis cases among these patients, highlighting the need for increased screenings.

IPK researchers identify last remaining steps in the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids from Coca

Researchers elucidated the coca-derived tropane pathway, identifying a specific enzyme responsible for the carbomethoxy group, a key contributor to cocaine's euphoric properties. The study also reveals that tropane biosynthesis has independently evolved at least twice in flowering plants.

How gut bacteria influence the effects of cocaine in mice

Research reveals that common gut bacteria enhance cocaine effects in mice by consuming glycine, leading to behavior abnormalities. Supplementing glycine or using a genetically modified bacteria reduces response to cocaine, demonstrating its role as an addiction mediator.

Marijuana, meth, cocaine and opiate use are linked to atrial fibrillation

A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opiate use are associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Cannabis users had a 35% increased likelihood of later developing AF, similar to traditional tobacco use.

Coming wave of opioid overdoses ‘will be worse than it’s ever been before’

A new study by Northwestern University predicts a worsening wave of opioid overdoses globally, with no geographic distinction between rural and urban areas. The lethal combination of synthetic opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines will be particularly deadly.

Study identifies new links between REM sleep disturbances and drug relapse

Researchers discovered that REM sleep disturbances are linked to increased risk of drug relapse, and that targeting MCH neurons may be a promising therapeutic approach. The study found that improving REM sleep reduced cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

With NIDA grant, researchers at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University to explore link between SARS-CoV-2 infection, cocaine use, and COVID-19 neurological damage

A third of COVID-19 patients experience neurological symptoms due to SARS-CoV-2's effect on the central nervous system. Researchers now investigate mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 signaling in the CNS microvasculature with a new NIDA grant.

NIH scientists identify new brain mechanism involved in impulsive cocaine-seeking in rats

Researchers discovered that blocking certain acetylcholine receptors in the lateral habenula balances reward and aversion, making it harder to resist seeking cocaine. This finding identifies a new role for these receptors as a potential target for treating cocaine use disorder.

Molecular ‘connector’ helps cocaine latch on to brain cells, even when drug is in low doses

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a molecular connector, BASP1, that helps cocaine latch on to brain cells, even at low doses. This finding may explain why women are more susceptible to cocaine addiction and could lead to new treatments.

Dopamine makes you feel happy. But we probably have to be rewrite the textbooks

A study published in Nature Communications sheds light on dopamine transporter (DAT) function, which regulates brain reward centre communication. The researchers discovered DAT depends on potassium, not just sodium, rewriting textbooks on its mechanism.

Racial disparities seen in treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome and history of cocaine use

A nationwide study reveals lower rates of cardiac catheterization and revascularization among non-Hispanic Black patients with a history of cocaine use compared to white patients. The findings suggest implicit bias in treatment, emphasizing the need for health equity.

Aging Baby Boomers keep on using...bringing substance abuse, and treatment, into old age

The rate of older adults treated for substance abuse increased sharply from 2000 to 2017, with a notable rise in cannabis and cocaine use. This trend is attributed to decreasing stigma around substance abuse, allowing more older adults to seek help through self-referrals.

Scientific study points to direct link to alcohol and drug use in 31% of hospitalizations

A study found that 31.4% of trauma patients at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, Brazil, tested positive for psychoactive substance use, including alcohol (23%), cocaine (12%), and marijuana (5%). The study contributes to the development of public policies to prevent accidents.

Overdose deaths involving cocaine or meth tripled in shadow of opioid crisis

Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.

EMS ketamine use on agitated patients on cocaine increases intubation 5.75-fold

A new study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that prehospital ketamine administration for excited delirium with concomitant cocaine intoxication significantly increases the risk of subsequent emergency department intubation. The study's findings suggest that cocaine may deplete excitatory neurotransmitters, leading ...

Withdrawal from psychostimulants restructures functional architecture of brain

Researchers found that methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine withdrawal share similar features in mouse brains, including reduced modularity and increased functional connectivity. This reorganization may contribute to the addictive nature of psychostimulants.

Drug withdrawal morphs brain communication networks in mice

Research in mice reveals that drug withdrawal alters brain activity patterns, causing increased functional connectivity and decreased modularity. This universal effect may be a common trait among different types of addictive drugs.

‘Flushing’ out drug use trends early in the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.

Cannabis use rises during Australian COVID lockdown, but less meth on the streets

A wastewater study conducted in Australia during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown found that cannabis use surged, while methamphetamine (ice) use plummeted. The research, led by the University of South Australia, analyzed wastewater samples from 20 treatment plants across the country and showed a significant increase in cannabis use nationwide.

Emotional regulation technique may be effective in disrupting compulsive cocaine addiction

A new study suggests that an emotional regulation technique called cognitive reappraisal can help disrupt compulsive cocaine addiction. The technique, which involves reinterpreting the meaning of drug-related cues, was found to reduce attention-bias in individuals with cocaine use disorder.

Cocaine's effect on the brain: Fruit fly research shows impact at the cellular level

A new study from Clemson University identifies specific cell clusters in the brain of fruit flies affected by acute cocaine exposure. The findings show widespread changes in gene expression and distinct differences between males and females, potentially leading to therapeutic development.

Study contributes to our understanding of how cocaine withdrawal affects brain circuits

A new study published in Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience reveals that neurons in a brain area associated with depression connect to an anti-reward system during cocaine withdrawal. This reorganization of brain circuits may drive negative behavior and depressive symptoms.

Radiomics shows cocaine fuels coronary artery disease risk

A study published in Radiology found that cocaine use significantly affects the progression of coronary artery disease, while HIV infection has a more profound effect on younger individuals. Radiomics analysis revealed distinctive contributions of different risk factors to changes in plaque over time.

Drinking, smoking, and drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young

Research published online in the journal Heart found that recreational substance use is associated with a higher likelihood of premature and extremely premature heart disease. Those who use 4 or more substances are 9 times as likely to be affected, with increased risks observed among women.

Stimulant-associated deaths in US

Between 2010 and 2017, US stimulant-associated deaths rose substantially, driven primarily by cocaine use. Medical stimulants also contributed to the increase, suggesting a broader public health concern.

Trying to beat a coke habit with cannabis? Not so fast !

A study by Université de Montréal psychiatry professor Didier Jutras-Aswad and his team found that cannabidiol is not an effective treatment for cocaine use disorder. The 78-participant clinical trial showed no reduction in craving or relapse risk with cannabidiol, contrary to its growing popularity as a potential addiction treatment.

Novel anti-craving mechanism discovered to treat cocaine relapse

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing has identified GLP-1R-expressing neural circuits in the brain that reduce cocaine-seeking behavior. The research found that activating these endogenous anti-craving circuits can significantly reduce cocaine craving-induced relapse.

Sleep-deprived mice find cocaine more rewarding

Mice sleep-deprived for research show increased preference for lower doses of cocaine, while rested mice do not. Blocking the orexin system reduces the increased cocaine preference driven by sleep deprivation.