Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances | Cocaine

What Kind of Drug Is It?

Cocaine is a natural substance that comes from the leaves of the coca (pronounced KOH-kuh) plant. This plant should not be confused with the cocoa (pronounced KOH-koh) plant, which is the source of chocolate. Cocaine acts as both a stimulantA substance that increases the activity of a living organism or one of its parts. and an anestheticA substance used to deaden pain..