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Cocaine
Bits & Pieces
by Erowid
The "Bits & Pieces" section is intended for random snippets of information which don't fit
easily elsewhere and/or which have been newly added, but not yet carefully categorized.

  • Cocaine is commonly cut with other materials
    Powder cocaine is frequently cut/diluted with other materials such as baking soda, corn starch, talcum powder, sugar, or vitamin powders. These added materials can be particularly problematic if the cocaine is smoked or injected.

  • Uncut Cocaine HCl is pearlescent
    Uncut, high quality Cocaine HCl has a pearlescent appearance. The surface of a chunk should have a shimmery quality rather than being dull. See Example Image.

  • Cocaine is somewhat hygroscopic (attracts water)
    Cocaine powder/crystal is hygroscopic ("water seeking"), meaning that it will absorb water out of humid air. Cocaine left sitting out exposed to air will often cake up and need to be rechopped before use.

  • Shared Straws Can Spread Blood Diseases Such As Hepatitis C
    Just as shared needles can spread blood diseases between people, so can shared straws. A study by Bonkovsky and Mehta published in Am Acad Dermatol (2001 Feb;44(2):159-82) reported that blood and mucus on shared straws can spread blood diseases such as Hepatitis C between those who share the straw.