Combinations - Tramadol + Coca leaf (Erythroxylum Coca)

[Mish]

SWIM is well aware that the combination of Tramadol and Cocaine is a potentially fatal one, due to several separate reasons:

a) Tramadol reduces the seizure threshold, the seizure inducing dose-response curve being especially steep once the dose gets to >350mg. In fact, Tramadol has been cited as, "...the most frequently suspected cause of provoked seizures." (see Wikipedia). Cocaine also lowers the seizure threshold in and of itself, and it being a stimulant increases the chances of seizing in those prone. Hence, the combination of both in high doses = great likelihood of seizure --> brain dead.

b) The Speedball Effect: Tramadol is a synthetic opioid "downer", whilst Cocaine is a potent stimulant "upper". Taking both together puts a great strain on your heart which can subsequently lead to all sorts of heart problems and - if prolonged or pushed far enough - death.

c) Although an opiate at heart, Tramadol is also a rapid-acting, short lived SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Cocaine is a DRI, NRI and SRI - that's dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. There's obviously a risk here of just an overload of "free" neurotransmitters lingering in your brain/CNS and can potentially lead to all sorts of issues, such as dopamine toxicity, vasoconstriction, vascular problems, serotonin syndrome etc... Obviously these kind of things only happen if massive doses are take and/or if one is pre-disposed to heart/liver/kidney problems.

The point is there are many reasons why the concoction can leave SWIY feeling not-so-good.

However, SWIM was wondering if the same applied to Coca Leaf. Chewed Coca leaf - or Erythroxylum Coca - is not like Cocaine at all. ONE of the alkaloids is raw, unadulterated cocaine but only constitutes about 0.1 to 0.9% of the plant material. This means that an average dose of coca leaf, around 2g as a quid, yields to about ~4-10mg of cocaine...e.g. hardly anything.

SWIM was wondering, considering he has a high-tolerance to opiates and has never had or been prone to seizures, even when taking up to 400mg Tramadol (although nauseating) if it would be okay to munch on 10g of Coca Leaves (chewed over the course of the day) alongside 250mg Tramadol...?

The purpose of this would not be to get 'high', so-to-speak. That would be counterintuitive. The reason is more for SWIM to use as a study aid. The Tramadol relaxes SWIM, allows words to flow easier, and the mild euphoriant properties let him enjoy even the most mundane of tasks. The Coca would add some dopaminergic side to the high, brightening mood and increasing productivity and "work-output" nice and subtly.

If SWIY has had any experience with Tramadol and Coca Leaf/Cocaine, or for that matter, with Opiates and Cocaine, please could you give a brief (though detailed) account of what happened/what is was like etc... if SWIY could include dosage and time taken etc that would also me useful to SWIM.

EDIT - Come to think of it, it is not so much the speedball effect of Tramadol and Coca Leaf that SWIM is more concerned about, as the Coca Leaf aspect of it is so small. The issue is more over the Cocaine + SNRI interaction. So, on that not, if SWIY has had any experience with antidepressants such as Venlafaxine (Effexor) or Duoloxetine (Cymbalta) and Tramadol that would also be useful.

SWIM thanks you