>"This is why, for example, cocaine is so much worse than natives in the Andes chewing coca leaves, why whiskey is so much worse than alcohol-containing rotten

>"This is why, for example, cocaine is so much worse than natives in the Andes chewing coca leaves, why whiskey is so much worse than alcohol-containing rotten fruit that even bears have been observed to enjoy, etc. etc. etc." Not worse, just more concentrated and refined to be free from impurities. So in that sense, it's actually safer. But yes, it is easier to overdose on "the pure stuff". In the case of alcohol, getting rid of the naturally occurring methanol is important. Whisky etc. is just a lot more concentrated ethanol than you'd get from naturally fermented fruits, and it tastes a lot better. And trust me, the bears and other animals still get hangovers :-) Same with cocaine. You're simply getting a much stronger dose, so the effects are exaggerated, but the active compound itself is not inherently more dangerous. Outside of damage to blood vessels from long term use, the biggest danger comes from adulterants, which can be anything that is cheap and resembles a white powder. You never know what you'll get from a black market supplier.