Cocaine, a powerful alkaloid similar to atropine, is isolated. Coca (Erythroxylon coca) is of American origin. Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a stimulant in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, but in quantities of only half a gram per day, which is estimated to be non-addictive. This method of ingesting the alkaloid in small but frequent doses is similar to our caffeine intake in tea and coffee. The situation is quite different for those who consume extracted and purified cocaine.
