Coca, Coca-Cola, and Cocaine

Do not confuse Coca-Cola (the drink), coca (the plant), and cocaine!

Coca is a plant from South America that plays an important role in Andean culture, through its medicinal and ritual uses. Locals have been using it for over 5,000 years to combat altitude sickness.

This plant will not give you any hallucinogenic effects or anything else, as tourists often mistakenly think it does when confusing it with cocaine (which is extracted from its leaves). While the origin is the same, the effects are different!

The name cola comes from the original formula of the famous Coca-Cola brand: coca leaf and the use of kola nuts (to which alcohol is also added), and it was originally a remedy for gastric problems.