Using cocaine can have long-term impacts on the brain. It interferes with normal neuron function and can affect the areas of the brain that regulate mood. There are also long-term effects that can persist even after you stop using the drug.

Studies have shown that cocaine can alter the shape and function of synapses. These changes can last for months or even years. This makes rational decision-making harder, and can increase your risk of mental health disorders. The longer you use cocaine, the more susceptible you are to developing addiction.

Cocaine can also affect the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and learning. It interferes with the brain's ability to produce dopamine, a chemical that produces feelings of euphoria. It can also reduce the number of dopamine receptors in the synapse. This can increase compulsive behavior.

It can also affect the heart and cardiovascular system. It can cause blood vessels to narrow, which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the brain. It can also cause blood clots and chronic headaches. It can damage the veins and arteries, which can cause strokes.

Cocaine also has an effect on the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region that is involved in decision making. It causes the OFC to function less efficiently, resulting in poor decision making and self-insight.

Cocaine is a member of the class of drugs known as stimulants. It can cause changes in the heart's rhythm, blood pressure, and other chemical processes in the brain. It can also lead to seizures and mental health disorders.