Stimulants
Coca Leaf (Traditional)
Street names: Coca, Huamanga?, Erythroxylum coca, Mate de coca
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mild, sustained stimulation: alertness, altitude-comfort, appetite suppression — 100× milder than cocaine
- Cultural and religious core of Andean life for millennia
⚠Key risks
- LOW acute harm — leaf alkaloid content is ~0.3–1.5% vs refined cocaine
- Coca tea triggers POSITIVE drug tests for cocaine metabolites — athletes and workers have failed tests from tea
- International law still lists coca leaf (Schedule I Single Convention) outside the Andean exemption — carrying leaf across borders is trafficking
- Chewing causes dental wear; lime burn to gums
- The UN-vs-Andes dispute is political: the plant itself is not the powder
✚Overdose signs
- Practically none at traditional use levels
📋Quick facts
Also known asCoca, Huamanga?, Erythroxylum coca, Mate de coca
CategoryStimulants
Schedule / classControlled internationally but traditional use legal in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina (UN 2013 amendment)
AppearanceGreen dried leaves chewed with lime/ash; coca tea (mate de coca); bags sold in Andean markets
Street price~$1–$5 per bag in Andean markets; coca tea $5–$15 online
Legal statusTraditional/legal use Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Colombia (tolerated); Schedule I internationally — import to US/EU illegal
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: UNODC, WHO, EMCDDA
Category comparison — Stimulants
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coca Leaf (Traditional) | Controlled internationally but traditional use legal in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina | LOW acute harm — leaf alkaloid content is ~0.3–1.5% vs refined cocaine; Coca tea triggers POSITIVE drug tests for cocaine metabolites — athletes and workers have failed tests from tea | ~$1–$5 per bag in Andean markets |
| Cocaine | Schedule II | Heart attack/stroke even in young users; Severe addiction — craving cycle | ~$60–$120 per gram |
| Betel Quid (Areca Nut / Paan) | Legal most places; regulated India/Pakistan; IARC Group 1 carcinogen | GROUP 1 CARCINOGEN — oral cancer risk comparable to tobacco; red-stained oral lesions precede cancer; 400M+ users in South/Southeast Asia — massive public health burden | $0.10–$1 per quid — pennies-scale addiction |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Coca Leaf (Traditional) look like?
Green dried leaves chewed with lime/ash; coca tea (mate de coca); bags sold in Andean markets
What are the signs of a Coca Leaf (Traditional) overdose?
Practically none at traditional use levels Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
LOW acute harm — leaf alkaloid content is ~0.3–1.5% vs refined cocaine Dependence can develop with regular use.