Which stimulant drug was used in its natural form for thousands of years by people in the Andes and later isolated by Albert Nieman and studied by Sigmund Freud?

• A. Morphine
• B. Cocaine
• C. Caffeine
• D. Nicotine

Answer: (B)

Cocaine is the stimulant involved. For thousands of years, Andean people chewed coca leaves to boost energy and ease the fatiguing effects of high altitude, so the natural stimulant effect came from those leaves. Later, the pure alkaloid cocaine was isolated from coca leaves by Albert Niemann, which allowed it to be studied scientifically and used in medicine. Sigmund Freud then explored cocaine as a therapeutic stimulant and wrote about its effects in the late 19th century, though its risks became clear over time. The other options don’t fit this history: morphine is an opioid, caffeine comes from other plants and has a different traditional use, and nicotine comes from tobacco.