Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant in the form of a white powder called cocaine hydrochloride.
The powder can be inhaled or injected or converted to what is called crack cocaine for smoking.
Cocaine produces an increase in alertness, agitation, energy, and a feeling of euphoria that lasts from a few minutes to an hour.
Cocaine blocks the reabsorption of dopamine into the pre-synaptic neuron.
The net result is that more dopamine is available in the synapse causing more activity in these synapses.
The behavioral effect seems to result from the dopamine producing neurons in the limbic system
a set of brain structures that is involved in emotions, motivation, and memory.