Coke

Sherlock Holmes was on Cocaine? Wow, I never knew that!

“Cocaine brings about an exhilaration and lasting euphoria which in no way differs from the normal euphoria of the healthy person... You perceive an increase of self control and possess more vitality and capacity for work... Long intensive mental or physical work is performed without any fatigue... The result is enjoyed without any of the unpleasant after effects that follow exhilaration brought about by alcohol” (Freud 174).

Cocaine may have been very popular during the 1980’s because so many young adults sought a way to “get rich quick” or to get ahead in life. “The drugs confidence-boosting, energizing qualities made it the drug of choice for the generation of the fashionably-selfish young people of the Thatcher-Reagan ascendancy” (174).

I can remember the term “yuppy” used to describe polo shirt wearing, 20 something, golf-playing, energized young men of the 19080’s. LOL, my Dad uses this term today... The wide spread use of certain drugs, during certain time periods, typically seems to reflect upon societies needs or interests. Music and literature from different eras have been influenced by certain drugs; Acid during the 60’s, Marijuana during the 70’s, and Cocaine during the 80’s.

I can also remember hearing somewhere that the original Coca-Cola contained Cocaine. Therefore, I did some research and found, “Until 1905, the soft drink, marketed as a tonic, contained extracts of cocaine as well as the caffeine-rich kola nut”(Bellis 1). I also found a really interesting we site which explains how the Cocaine was added to Coca-Cola for medicinal purposes. This address tells the whole story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomitheos/508314603/

But, when it was discovered that Cocaine is addictive and causes anxiety, it was removed from the formula. But, its replacement caffeine, also is addictive...