If you want to know more about cocaine weight loss and the dangers it causes, you’re in the right place. Cocaine has been socially linked to weight loss and is called “the skinny drug.” However, the reasons behind body weight fluctuations involve various factors.
In this short article, you’ll learn how cocaine can cause weight loss, how it leads to unexpected weight gain, and the dangers of rapid weight loss and cocaine addictions.
The Dangers of Cocaine Weight Loss
Yes, cocaine weight loss is dangerous and has serious side effects. However, weight loss caused by cocaine is temporary and can be followed by weight gain. As a stimulant drug, cocaine boosts energy levels, resulting in increased physical activity, prolonged wakefulness, decreased appetite, and consumption of unhealthy foods. These factors disrupt the body’s ability to metabolize and store fats, affecting the proper functioning of metabolism.
In a study examining the effects of cocaine weight loss, drug-dependent participants were surveyed about their motivations for using cocaine. The most commonly reported reasons were based on “socializing” or “getting through the day.” Interestingly, none of the participants mentioned “losing weight” or “suppressing appetite” as reasons for using cocaine.
Read more: How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?
1. Increased Physical Activity
Individuals who use cocaine may be more inclined to participate in physical activities like running, dancing, or working out. They may be driven to engage in activities like exercising uncontrollably or going on long runs without realizing the strain they put on their bodies.
The increased heart rate and blood pressure caused by the use of cocaine can contribute to compulsive behaviors and actions. The heightened levels of physical activity associated with cocaine use can increase calorie expenditure, potentially leading to Cocaine weight loss. However, these intense activities can also lead to severe dehydration if adequate hydration is not maintained.
2. Decreased Sleep
The stimulating effects of cocaine can disrupt normal sleep patterns, resulting in difficulties falling asleep, insomnia, decreased sleep duration, and nightmares. These sleep disturbances can persist even after the drug has been metabolized and eliminated from the body.
Studies indicate that inadequate sleep is associated with alterations in hunger and satiety hormones. People who do not get enough sleep can have elevated levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, and reduced levels of leptin, a hormone that signals fullness. Insufficient sleep can decrease metabolic rate, making it more challenging for individuals to burn calories and lose weight. As a result, the lack of sleep is more likely to promote weight gain and not weight loss.
3. Appetite Suppression
Cocaine can suppress the appetite because it increases the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. These modifications in brain chemistry can diminish feelings of hunger, making it challenging for individuals to perceive the urge to eat.
Studies have shown that the appetite-suppressing effects of cocaine are temporary and only delay eating rather than reducing. Cocaine abuse does not allow you to eat more food without any of the weight consequences. Studies have concluded that after this initial appetite suppression, which can result in short-term weight loss, users will experience a compensatory eating period where their bodies try to compensate for the missing nutrients.
This can lead to snacking between meals or overeating, which in turn contributes to weight gain. Furthermore, cocaine users often exhibit less control over their dietary choices and are more inclined towards eating fatty and calorie-dense foods, which are known to promote weight gain. This weight gain is believed to be the body’s metabolic or behavioral reaction to discontinued cocaine use, and it can heighten stress levels in those in recovery.
4. Poor Diet
Cocaine use has a significant impact on dietary habits, leading to both weight loss and weight gain. Research shows that cocaine-dependent men are more likely to skip breakfast and have higher alcohol and caloric intake than their healthy counterparts. Their diets differ significantly, with cocaine users consuming more fatty foods, including increased monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids.
They also consume more carbohydrates but less sugar, such as fructose and glucose. Additionally, cocaine-dependent users exhibit less control over food intake and less dietary restraint than healthy individuals, leading to inconsistent eating patterns.
Is Cocaine Weight Loss Healthy?
No, cocaine weight loss is not healthy. Long-term cocaine use and rapid weight loss can cause detrimental health problems, including malnutrition, cardiovascular issues, and muscle atrophy.
- Cardiovascular complications: Cocaine is a powerful stimulant which can cause strain and stress on the cardiovascular system. Cocaine weight loss can exacerbate this strain, increasing the risk of heart problems such as heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms, and high blood pressure.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Rapid weight loss due to cocaine use often involves inadequate dietary intake. This can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, including iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and other macronutrients. These deficiencies can weaken the immune system, impair organ function, and contribute to various health problems.
- Muscle atrophy: Cocaine-induced weight loss may involve the loss of both fat and muscle mass. Excessive muscle wasting can weaken the body, impair physical strength and endurance, and increase the risk of injuries.
- Mental health issues: Cocaine use is associated with many mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Cocaine weight loss can exacerbate these issues or contribute to the development of new mental health disorders.
- Weakened immune system: Inadequate nutrition and the stress imposed on the body by cocaine use can compromise the immune system’s functioning. This can make individuals more susceptible to infections, illnesses, and slower healing processes.
- Electrolyte imbalances: Rapid weight loss can disrupt the balance of electrolytes in the body, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to various issues, including muscle cramps, irregular heart rhythms, weakness, and fatigue.
- Hair loss: Significant and rapid weight loss can trigger temporary hair loss or thinning. This occurs due to nutritional deficiencies and the body’s stress response to sudden changes in weight and nutrient intake.
- Gallbladder issues: Rapid weight loss may increase the risk of gallbladder problems. These problems may include gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) or the formation of gallstones. These conditions can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and other digestive complications.
Read more: Can Cocaine Kill You?
Contact Asheville Recovery Center
If you or a loved one is using cocaine to promote weight loss, contact Asheville Recovery Center. Our addiction treatment program can identify the underlying causes of substance use disorders, helping individuals understand their behavior and emotions. Substance abuse doesn’t need to consume your life or affect your eating habits. Call today, and our admissions team can help you get started on your path toward recovery.
