Which category of drugs includes cocaine?

Cocaine is classified as a stimulant because it significantly increases the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine. Stimulants are substances that elevate mood, increase feelings of well-being and energy, and enhance alertness. Cocaine specifically acts as a powerful central nervous system stimulant that can produce intense euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness.

The effects of cocaine are primarily due to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, leading to increased levels of this neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft. This characteristic distinguishes cocaine from other categories of drugs, such as narcotic depressants, which generally work to relieve pain and induce sedation, or hallucinogens, which primarily alter perception and cognition. Non-narcotic depressants similarly work to slow down brain activity but do not fit the profile of cocaine's stimulating effects. Thus, the classification of cocaine as a stimulant is appropriate based on its pharmacological properties and the physiological effects it produces.