There’s nothing quite like the sugary rush that accompanies a cold glass of Coca-Cola, but did you know that Coke used to deliver an even bigger rush? Until 1903, the world-famous soft drink contained a significant dose of cocaine.
While the Coca-Cola Company officially denies the presence of cocaine in any of its products (past or present )historical evidence suggests that the original Coca-Cola did, in fact, contain cocaine.
Cocaine was not made illegal in the United States until 1914, and until then, the substance had a variety of medical uses. Cocaine tonics, powders and pills were popularly believed to cure a variety of ailments, from headache and fatigue to constipation, nausea, asthma and funny enough,many didn’t know this but it also worked as a libido booster for men with erectile dysfunction
But by 1903, there was a large number of people who turned against the product claiming it was widely used and abused as a narcotic, leading the Coca-Cola Company’s manager, Asa Griggs Candler, to remove nearly all cocaine from the company’s beverages. But Coke wouldn’t become completely cocaine-free until 1929, when scientists perfected the process of removing all psychoactive elements from coca-leaf extract hence the name Coke.
Coca-Cola was first created in 1886 by Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton, who modeled his beverage after a then-popular French refreshment, coca wine, made by mixing coca-leaf extract with Bordeaux wine. To avoid liquor regulations, Pemberton chose to mix his coca-leaf extract with sugar syrup instead of wine. He also added kola-nut extract, lending Coca-Cola the second half of its name, as well as an extra dose of caffeine.
