What do coca leaves feel like?

Coca leaves, the dried leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), have a bitter taste and a slightly numbing effect on the tongue and mucous membranes. When chewed, they release small amounts of cocaine into the bloodstream, which can produce a mild stimulant effect. This effect can include increased alertness, reduced fatigue, and a feeling of euphoria. However, the effects of coca leaves are generally much milder than those of cocaine powder or crack cocaine, and they wear off more quickly.

Coca leaves have been used by indigenous peoples in the Andes region of South America for thousands of years for their medicinal and cultural properties. They are traditionally chewed or brewed into a tea to relieve fatigue, altitude sickness, and hunger. Coca leaves are also used in religious ceremonies and rituals.

While coca leaves are not addictive in and of themselves, they can be a gateway to the abuse of cocaine and other illicit drugs. For this reason, they are strictly controlled in most countries around the world.