Elon Musk wants to bring back cocaine in Coca-Cola. It was not the only product with something illegal
After buying Twitter, seems like Elon Musk has already added his next item to the cart. And it’s Coca-Cola. The richest man on the earth took to Twitter to express his interest (but for some other purposes). And if the process continues like this, Musk buying the whole world one day would not come as a surprise.
(Jokingly, or not knowing Musk) Musk tweeted that he wants Coca-Cola to add cocaine back to the soft drink.
Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022
Yes, we were surprised too after discovering that Coca-Cola contained cocaine once upon a time.
But how is that possible?
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, Coca-Cola was invented by a pharmacist in his backyard in 1885. The original formula contained cocaine. In fact, the ‘Coca’ in Coca-Cola is derived from cocaine only! Cocaine was used in the form of an extract of the coca leaf.
In 1885, when Coca-Cola was invented, cocaine wasn’t illegal in the US. It was commonly used in medicines in small proportions.
The first bottle of Coca-Cola.Had 3.5 grams of Cocaine in it? pic.twitter.com/7ZQm4fnJdn
— Tugume (@TeacherTugume) April 28, 2022
After all the regulations over the use of cocaine in products and medicines, cocaine was completely eliminated from Coca-Cola in 1929.
If you can relate to Musk and want that original drink back, let’s tell you it is not the only product which contained illegal drugs. Earlier, many products casually contained cocaine and other illegal drugs. Here’s a list of these.
POPULAR PRODUCTS THAT CONTAINED ILLEGAL DRUGS
1. ONE NIGHT COUGH SYRUP
We still feel sleepy after taking cough syrup due to the drug composition. But earlier (when cocaine was legal), it used to be one of the ingredients of a cough syrup.
According to Healthline, not just cocaine, cough syrups used to contain opium, morphine, heroin and chloroform.
Healthline has also mentioned that a cough syrup named ‘One Night Cough Syrup’ contained alcohol, cannabis, chloroform and morphine. The syrup was available in the late 1800s.
It was available over the counter, promising that it can cure cough in one night. People lost consciousness after the consumption for the obvious reasons.
One Night Cough Syrup' with some remarkable ingredients, manufactured in Baltimore, 1888 pic.twitter.com/Dm2TDxW1Pl
— History In Pictures (@HistoryInPics) October 1, 2018
2. COCAINE TOOTHACHE DROPS
Again in the late 1800s, cocaine was considered a potential local anaesthesthetic. Therefore, advertisementing 'Cocaine Toothache Drops' was absolutely okay.
In 1885, drops that claimed to cure toothache, especially meant for kids, were commonly used. During that time, parents were not much very familiar with the side-effects of cocaine.
Cocaine toothache drops for children, 1885. pic.twitter.com/NW7Gp2fD4z
— History In Pictures (@HistoryInPics) August 13, 2018
3. COCA WINE
Wine and cocaine, this terrible mixture was common a few centuries ago. With the name 'Coca Wine', an alcoholic beverage was developed in 1863. People in the 1800s seemed to have been really high.
The drink was a combination of wine and cocaine. It was developed by French-Corsican chemist and entrepreneur Angelo Mariani.
Coca wine was an alcoholic beverage in the 19th century that featured both wine and cocaine. One popular brand, Vin Mariani, was enjoyed by Jules Verne, Alexander Dumas, and Arthur Conan Doyle. Thomas Edison claimed it helped him stay awake longer! I can't imagine why! pic.twitter.com/81RGkFMY6t
— Lindsey Fitzharris (@DrLindseyFitz) September 1, 2021
4. ALLENBURYS THROAT PASTILLES
Another over the counter medicine that contained cocaine was candy or gum-like pills for a bad throat.
The Allenburys Throat Pastilles box mentioned menthol and cocaine in bold.
Also, the dosage mentioned on the box reads, “Adult Dose- one every two hours or as directed by the physician.”
Allenburys Throat pastilles. They really did struggle with the recipe... pic.twitter.com/b9YRBoa4C6
— Pulp Librarian (@PulpLibrarian) July 21, 2018
On a serious note:
Cocaine is a recreational, stimulant drug which can lead to numerous side-effects after consumption in any form. It can lead to breathing difficulties, chest pain, anxiety, nausea, extremely low blood pressure and much more.
After long-term use, one may experience loss of smell and inflammation. it can also cause lung damage and an increased risk of nervous system disorders.
In some rare cases, it can also lead to sudden death.
Note: It is illegal to consume, purchase, trade, cultivate, store, transport and possess narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. If you or someone you know is an addict, seek professional help immediately.
(Don't believe Elon Musk)