# Tasting Cocaine **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971 "2008-06-06T03:06:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/1 "2008-06-06T03:06:31Z")
I picked up a package containing a white substance. I touched my finger to the substance and then tasted it. My tongue became numb and I felt light headed for about five minutes. I suspect I tasted cocaine. I am very concerned about the effects of this little “taste test” as I am subject to random drug tests for my job. It was a stupid thing to do but I had absolutely no idea it was drugs. I immediately brushed my tongue and rinsed my mouth. My tongue stayed numb for a little white afterward and I had a bad taste in my mouth. Do you know how long this could stay in my system? or if this small amount is anything to worry about? Any answers? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/2 "2008-06-06T03:08:00Z")
Do you normally taste things you have no clue what they are? That’s not a good habit to have. You just found a bag of coke laying around? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/3 "2008-06-06T03:09:50Z")
Cocaine is water soluble. It flushes from the body very quicky. Such a small amount most likely either won’t show at all in a test or will show up but it will be well below the threshold level and thus would still be considered negative. As long as you don’t get tested in the next two or three days you have nothing to worry about. (This assumes a standard urine test) ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/4 "2008-06-06T03:12:33Z")
Isn’t arsenic also a white powder? ---
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/5 "2008-06-06T03:15:59Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Cocaine is water soluble. It flushes from the body very quicky. Such a small amount most likely either won’t show at all in a test or will show up but it will be well below the threshold level and thus would still be considered negative. As long as you don’t get tested in the next two or three days you have nothing to worry about. (This assumes a standard urine test) [/QUOTE] :smack: I know it was not a smart idea but I just wanted to see what was in this bag I found. I am panicking about this as I have never even experimented with drugs. I do not think I could be tested before Monday or Tuesday of next week. I hope the small amount will not be enough to show up. Thanks for your information as I know nothing about drugs or the effects. I appreciate your response. ---
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/6 "2008-06-06T03:21:10Z")
I have no idea if arsenic is a white powder. I immediately began to research it on the internet. Based on my research, I think it is cocaine. I found it on the shore of a lake along with some other things I stuck in my pocket. Later I emptied out the contents of my pocket and discovered it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/7 "2008-06-06T03:24:00Z")
If it was a white powder in a small bag, and it numbed your tounge, it was probably coke. The light headedness things probably wasn’t directly related to the effects of cocaine. If you’re still worried start googling around for things like 'how long does it take cocaine" and “drug testing” Also, check [erowid.org](http://erowid.org). ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/8 "2008-06-06T03:43:51Z")
[QUOTE=conniebeau] I have no idea if arsenic is a white powder. I immediately began to research it on the internet. Based on my research, I think it is cocaine. I found it on the shore of a lake along with some other things I stuck in my pocket. Later I emptied out the contents of my pocket and discovered it. [/QUOTE] Good Lord, man. Did you find any used condoms washed up on the shore as well? Did you stick them in your pocket and taste them as well? Sorry, I know I’m not helpful, but gee willikers, ya know? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/9 "2008-06-06T03:49:59Z")
You tasted something you saw washed up on a lakeshore? My God, have you no survival instincts? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/10 "2008-06-06T04:21:29Z")
:eek: ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/11 "2008-06-06T04:27:27Z")
> [@](#): > > I found it on the shore of a lake along with some other things I stuck in my pocket. Uh huh. You say you just happened to find it on the shore, and it certainly didn’t belong to anybody you know. Then for some reason you taste it, and you automatically so convinced that it is cocaine that you register to the Straightdope to find out if you will test positive on a drug test. I think your pretty safe on that drug test. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/12 "2008-06-06T04:33:23Z")
I think it was anthrax ---
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/13 "2008-06-06T04:35:51Z")
Not looking for smart remarks. It may sound dumb but that is how it happened. I don’t need someone doubting what I am saying; I just need information that I lack. I am not a drug user; never have been; do not want to be. I don’t appreciate your sarcasm. Yes, testing positive on a test would be devastating to a twenty year career. That’s why I need information. ---
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/14 "2008-06-06T04:37:21Z")
Why do you think that? ---
**Author:** ![conniebeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@conniebeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conniebeau)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/15 "2008-06-06T04:38:43Z")
I registered with Straight Dope in order to get more information; not smart alec responces. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/16 "2008-06-06T04:42:39Z")
I wouldn’t worry about it. Such a minimal amount on the tip of the tongue would register as a negative on a drug test, if it showed up at all. As the others have said, not a good idea to taste strange substances anyway. It’s not as if you learn much by tasting them. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/17 "2008-06-06T04:45:58Z")
Look, if it was blow, all it really did was make your tongue tingle. You’re not going to fail a drug test. You can relax. Any amount you ingested would be so low as to border on the theoretical and it’s probably already out of your body anyway. You’re going to be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/18 "2008-06-06T05:11:23Z")
I wonder if ordinary citizens can order a private drug test for themselves, preemptive to a workplace-mandated test? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/19 "2008-06-06T05:12:31Z")
Since I think the question has been answered as well as it can be here, and to avoid further scolding of the OP, I’m going to close this thread. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasting-cocaine/451971/20 "2008-06-06T12:39:47Z")
Just as an aside: [Straight Dope Staff Report: Why do cops in movies taste cocaine?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcocaine.html) The Staff Report was written by **Hawk** , who is a professional pathologist, and knows whereof he speaks.