What is Freebasing?

"Freebase" refers to the smokable form of cocaine, which comes in the form of crack cocaine, a hard, rock-like substance. Smoking the freebase form of cocaine is called "freebasing." While freebasing is more commonly applied to cocaine, it is also possible to freebase other drugs such as morphine, ephedrine, and nicotine. 

People who become addicted to smoking crack are called "crackheads" or "baseheads." These words are some of nearly 2,000 street terms that refer to specific drug types compiled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This article discusses the origins of the term basehead and how cocaine is administered via freebasing. It also covers the effects and risks of this method of drug administration.

What Is Freebasing?

Powder cocaine is actually cocaine hydrochloride, which is a water-soluble salt form of the drug. Because it's a salt, powder cocaine can be absorbed into the body, therefore it can be snorted or injected. Powder cocaine can be smoked, but smoking is not an effective method of using the drug.

Due to the fear of using infected needles, cocaine users began treating powder cocaine with chemicals to free the cocaine base from the hydrochloride. The result was a hard rock or lump of crack cocaine that was more easily smoked.

This form of cocaine is not soluble in water, so it cannot easily be melted in order to inject the drug. However, because it has a low melting point, it can be smoked more readily.

Effects of Freebasing Cocaine

When a person snorts or injects cocaine, the effects can take a few minutes to kick in, but smoking crack cocaine produces an almost immediate high. After smoking freebase cocaine, it quickly enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain. Intense feelings of euphoria typically begin within 10 to 15 seconds of administration.

While the high from powder cocaine lasts 15 to 30 minutes, smoking crack cocaine will typically create a shorter, 5- to 10-minute high.

After the rapid high that people experience when freebasing, the effects are generally similar to those of other methods of administering cocaine.

The pleasurable effects of crack cocaine wear off quickly; more quickly than when powder cocaine is snorted or injected. As the high wears off, the individual begins to experience some very unpleasant after-effects, including:

• Anxiety
• Depressed mood
• Fatigue
• Head and body aches
• Hunger
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Panic
• Paranoia
• Sensitivity to light and sound

In order to avoid these unpleasant effects, people may use more of the drug. This cycle of using to avoid the unpleasant effects of the drug wearing off can contribute to addiction.

Risks of Freebase Cocaine

In addition to the short-term effects people often experience after freebasing cocaine, there are also a number of long-term health risks. Freebasing poses many of the same risks that injecting or snorting cocaine causes. Such risks include: 

• Cardiovascular problems
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Neurological problems
• Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders
• Seizure
• Stroke
• Weight loss and malnourishment

Smoking can lead to cuts, sores, burns, and other injuries. People are also more prone to injury while they are using the substance. Studies also suggest that long-term cocaine use can cause cognitive damage including impairing attention, memory, decision-making, and impulse control.

Because freebase cocaine is a very pure form of the substance, there is a chance that people may overdose. Signs of cocaine overdose include rapid heart rate, convulsions, rapid breathing, trouble breathing, hallucinations, chest pain, and seizures. If someone is exhibiting these symptoms and you suspect they have been using cocaine, you should call 911 immediately.

Dependence, Addiction, and Withdrawal

The after-effects of smoking crack are so unpleasant, users often immediately smoke more of the drug to keep from coming down. This repeated, compulsive use can easily lead to chemical dependency upon the drug.

Although the idea of becoming addicted after one session is mostly a myth, people who smoke crack cocaine can develop problematic use fairly quickly. Experimenting with crack cocaine often leads to addiction and related problems. Roughly one-third of people who try crack develop a physical dependence on cocaine within two years.

A Word From Verywell

Freebasing cocaine leads to a faster high but carries many serious risks. It can lead to addiction, withdrawal, and overdose. If you are concerned about your cocaine use, you should talk to your healthcare provider for advice about treatment.