Does Cocaine make you Poop?
It’s an unconventional question that you might have heard about and been curious about. Does cocaine make you poop? The answer is yes, and it can do so quite often. Now, cocaine use has not been directly linked to triggering bowel movements. But there are many different factors surrounding cocaine use that can lead to the body’s unique response to the drug.
Cocaine affects the central nervous system, which can also impact the digestive system. Medical experts say cocaine’s effect on the digestive system can be extreme. When the body becomes stressed out due to drug use, it can trigger a response that impacts the gut. This can result in a chemically induced bowel movement that is common in those who use stimulants like cocaine.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. Traditionally, the coca leaves are chewed on to help regulate digestion, amongst other health benefits.
Cocaine works by causing a surge of energy that occurs when dopamine levels increase. Common side effects of cocaine use include extreme happiness, mental awareness, hypersensitivity, paranoia, nausea, fast heart rate, tremors, restlessness, increased blood pressure, constipation and diarrhea.
Does Cocaine make you Poop? Cocaine’s Effects on Digestion and Bowel Movements
Typically, those who experience major digestive issues from cocaine are taking cocaine orally. Cocaine use can affect the muscles and nerves in your digestive system, which can lead to a slowing down of the system and in some cases, difficulty passing bowel movements. Also known as constipation.
But, in other cases, some people say bowel movement associated with cocaine can be a psychological effect from the disruption of the body’s nervous system.
The body has a built-in alarm system called the sympathetic nervous system, which is designed for fight-or-flight situations. When the system is triggered as a threat, it can prepare your body for immediate action. Stimulants like cocaine can trick the body into a false alarm and can send the body into a fight or flight mode.
It then signals the muscles in the intestine to powerfully contract and “go.” Basically, cocaine can act like a laxative in an emergency to empty out the system. The results are sudden and uncomfortable bowel movements that highlight the drug’s powerful influence over the body’s core functions.
How cutting agents can cause Diarrhea and Stomach Pain
Street cocaine is almost never 100% pure. Street dealers often lace cocaine with fillers to stretch their supply and increase profits. They mix the stimulant with a variety of other substances known as cutting agents. While some of these fillers may be harmless, others may have active chemicals that can have unpleasant side effects on your digestive system, including the need for frequent bowel movements.
This can lead to even more digestive upset and the drug can be more unpredictable and dangerous. Common adulterants that directly impact the gut include:
- Laxatives. Chemicals like phenolphthalein is an ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives that are sometimes added to cocaine. They can directly trigger diarrhea.
- Sugars. Another common filler like lactose, can cause severe gas, bloating and diarrhea in people who are lactose intolerant.
- Veterinary drugs. Deworming medicines like levamisole are also a frequent cutting agent used in cocaine that causes nausea and diarrhea.
- Other possible additives include laundry detergent, baking soda, gasoline, cement, cornstarch, talcum powder and flour.
In combination with cocaine’s own effects plus the unknown additives, it can create a perfect storm for gastrointestinal distress. Someone on cocaine may have no idea whether or not their stomach pain and frequent bowel movements are due to the drug or other toxic fillers used in the making of the stimulant.
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The rebound effects: When Stimulation turns into Constipation
In some cases, cocaine users can experience rebound effects. When your gut muscles have become so dependent on cocaine to signal their “go,” and then that artificial command is suddenly gone, the system will go quiet. The intestines that have adapted to the constant stimulation are now struggling to respond to the body’s natural cues for movement.
This results in severe and painful constipation. When cocaine is no longer in the system, the natural signals that push waste through the intestine slow down significantly, leading to discomfort and blockage. This is why cocaine withdrawal and constipation are so frequently linked. At this point, the digestive system is struggling to rebalance itself.
Long-term damage: Severe Bowel Decay
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, long-term effects of oral cocaine use can lead to severe bowel decay. This leads to frequent and urgent bowel movements. Long-term cocaine users are also at increased risk of developing hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a condition that causes swelling in the liver, which progresses into liver damage and impacts the way your liver processes waste.
Severe bowel decay is caused by the death of cells in the wall lining of the intestine from restricted blood flow. Common symptoms of bowel decay include loss of appetite, belly pain after meals, weight loss, sudden and severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and irregular bowel movements.
When the gut is repeatedly starved of blood and oxygen, it can lead to chronic injury known as cocaine-induced ischemic colitis. This is inflammation and death of tissue in the large intestine. It causes permanent damage to the intestinal lining, which can lead to the organ struggling to absorb nutrients and function properly.
Ongoing damage can also lead to intestinal ulcers. Painful, open sores that form inside the bowel wall can make bowel movements painful. In severe cases, ulcers can weaken the lining so much so that it allows toxic bacteria to leak into your abdominal cavity. This then becomes a medical emergency.
This type of damage can destroy the digestive system’s ability to manage itself naturally. After years of drug-induced stimulation, the severely damaged intestines can swing in the complete opposite direction.
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Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder
In general, cocaine doesn’t have a direct impact on bowel movements. But in cases with severe bowel decay or contamination of street cocaine, constipation, diarrhea and uncontrollable bowel movements can occur. All of these conditions can occur due to cocaine use disorder.
Professional behavioral programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide treatment for those with a cocaine addiction. We offer treatment at all levels of care, including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT and group therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-does-cocaine-make-you-poop
https://www.anormed.com/blog/does-cocaine-make-you-poop/
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/cocaine/poop
