How does cocaine primarily affect the body?

Cocaine primarily affects the body by impacting the central nervous system. As a powerful stimulant, it enhances the activity of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, which plays a significant role in the brain's reward and pleasure centers. This stimulation leads to increased alertness, heightened energy, and an elevated mood, but it also comes with serious risks such as anxiety, paranoia, and cardiovascular issues.

By influencing the central nervous system, cocaine can lead to immediate physiological changes such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, but these effects are secondary to its primary action of altering neural activity. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for grasping how cocaine can create both short-term euphoria and long-term negative consequences for mental and physical health.