freebase

Freebase is a purified, smokable form of cocaine. It is created by treating powdered cocaine hydrochloride with an alkaloid base, such as sodium bicarbonate, and then extracting it with a solvent. This process yields a solid form that can be heated to produce vapors for inhalation.1

Cocaine itself is a white crystalline alkaloid derived from the coca plant. When consumed as a powder, it is snorted and absorbed through the nasal membranes. However, cocaine can also be injected or smoked in chemically treated forms like freebase or crack cocaine. These methods lead to a more compulsive use of the drug and produce a more intense, short-lived euphoria that is highly addictive. The stimulant effects of cocaine on the central nervous system are due to its ability to block the reuptake of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This leads to heightened CNS activity and intense feelings of euphoria, but repeated use can cause dysregulation, leading to depression, anxiety, paranoia, and potentially fatal outcomes.2