# Cocaine, the Heart and the Brain

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 7, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052 "2001-11-07T20:48:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052/1 "2001-11-07T20:48:01Z")

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I’m doing story research, and haven’t had a lot of luck finding resources for this question. Any references would be welcome.

That said,

If a person using cocaine (not necessarily an addict, however) also abuses other stimulants at the same time, is it more likely to affect the heart or the brain?

And, relatedly, how long after the heart starts beating is brain damage likely? And how severe is it likely to be?

Thanks in advance!

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**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052/2 "2001-11-07T22:27:52Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by SisterCoyote \*
> 
> And, relatedly, how long after the heart **starts** beating is brain damage likely? And how severe is it likely to be?

i thought that’s what keeps the brain from being damaged in the first place ?

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**Author:** ![Dani\_Filth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dani\_Filth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dani_Filth)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052/3 "2001-11-08T00:22:29Z")

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Hey SisterCoyote, i emailed you link that should help answer your question. I had to email it to keep the mods from getting pissed off at me, as it contains a LOT of explicit drug information. :rolleyes:

If i may be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. 🙂

-Dani

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**Author:** ![Dani\_Filth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dani\_Filth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dani_Filth)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052/4 "2001-11-08T00:26:46Z")

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Ok, so i said i emailed it. For some reason your mail server returned the message and told me my domain ([blackdimension.com](http://blackdimension.com)) was black listed. Got another email address for me?

-Dani

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**Author:** ![SisterCoyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SisterCoyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SisterCoyote)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-the-heart-and-the-brain/92052/5 "2001-11-08T00:45:15Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by xash \*
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > \*Originally posted by SisterCoyote \*
> > 
> > And, relatedly, how long after the heart **starts** beating is brain damage likely? And how severe is it likely to be?
> 
> \*\*i thought that’s what keeps the brain from being damaged in the first place ? \*\*

I’m so ashamed. :o

Of course, the question should be **stops** beating.

It’s my boss’ fault. I don’t think my heart beats the entire time I’m at work (I go into hibernation to prevent brain damage from sheer boredom).