Crack is Wack!

Crack is Wack!

Figure 1: "Crack is Wack" mural in New York City.

There are many dangers in the world. Even some things that may feel great can be harming you more than you can imagine. One thing that is not good for you at all is crack. Crack is made from powder cocaine by mixing baking soda and warm water. This makes it into a rock form and is usually smoked (6). This drug affects your brain and can even cause death. As seen in Figure 1, residents of New York City think that "crack is wack!" I'll tell you why!

Crack is Bad for your Brain!

Figure 2. Your brain on crack.

What is the one thing that controls just about everything you do? That's right, your brain! Crack affects your brain (Figure 2) and even changes it. Crack begins byaffecting neurotransmitters, or chemicals, that come from neurons, or nerve cells. Neurotransmitters usually go from a neuron to a new cell, change it, then go back where they came from. Crack stops this from happening and it results in a build-up of the transmitter. When crack is smoked, neurons in your brain release dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine causes feelings of happiness and norepinephrine causes your heart rate and blood pressure to increase. An increased heart rate could eventually lead to cardiac arrest, meaning your heart stops beating (4). If your heart doesn't stop from smoking crack, the happiness of dopamine goes away and depression comes in. Depression is feelings of severe unhappiness. Beyond that, crack causes you to lash out in anger (5). You need your brain, so take care of it! Don't smoke crack! That's not all crack does to your brain though. 

Addiction

Figure 3: a crackhead.

One of the biggest problems with crack is addiction. Addiction makes you want something so much that it stops you from doing other fun things. Crack changes your brain so that your brain needs it to function normally (4). This can start after the first time you smoke it! This power that crack has is dangerous. Imagine crack as an evil villain that takes pleasure in causing you pain and making you look like Figure 3. Crack makes you only think about smoking it again that you forget about taking care of yourself. If you ever do get addicted, stopping crack smoking causes severe side effects. This is because your brain needs it to function. Side effects include: tiredness, nightmares, not sleeping, extreme depression, and an overwhelming desire to use crack (4). Protect your brain, crack is wack!

Conclusion

Based on what I've told you, you might see why your parents may have given you a drug talk. Drugs, like crack, are dangerous. You may feel good doing it, but using it leads to addiction and even death. They are called intoxicants, because they are toxic and not meant to be put in your body. This YouTube video below visualizes what I said and explains why crack is wack even further. 

References

1. Keith Haring Foundation [picture] (1986). Retrieved from http://www.haring.com/!/art-work/108#.XARTqWhKjIU. 

2. [Picture]. Retrieved from https://www.drugrehab.co.uk/crack-addiction-rehabilitation-treatment-centres.html 

3. ["Crackhead"] [picture]. Retrieved from 

https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/117308565/Crack-head. 

4. Bayer, L. N. (2000). Crack & cocaine. Philadelphia, PA : Chelsea House Publishers.

5. Holmes, A. (1999). Psychological effects of cocaine and crack addiction. Philadelphia, PA : Chelsea House.

6. Witkin, G., & Mukenge, M. (1991). The men who created crack. U.S. News & World Report, 111(8), 44. Retrieved from http://proxy-bloomu.klnpa.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=9108192552&site=eds-live&scope=site