Cocaine is a popular drug that can be used recreationally for its energy-enhancing and euphoric effects. It is extracted from coca leaves and refined into a powdery substance that can be snorted or dissolved in water for injection. The odor of cocaine can vary based on its purity and the additions and cutting agents that are often used to increase profits and make the drug more potent. Pure cocaine has a sweet floral scent, while the smell of street-cut cocaine can be metallic or chemical-like. Understanding what does cocaine smell like can help you identify a loved one who is using the drug and encourage them to seek professional addiction treatment as soon as possible.
The different forms of cocaine might have slightly different smells, ranging from powder to liquid and a solid rock-like substance known as crack. The most common form of the drug is powdered, with a light color and shimmering or glittery appearance. The odor of powdered cocaine is usually a combination of bitter and chemical, similar to kerosene or gasoline. It can also smell like baking soda or ammonia if it has been cut with flour or other ingredients that drug dealers sometimes use to increase their profits and improve the purity of their product.
Crack cocaine is a more potent form of the drug that has an odor that is sometimes described as a mixture of burnt plastic and cleaning chemicals. It may have a strong odor that is even more noticeable when it is heated by being smoked or vaporized.