Back in late 1800’s and early 1900’s cocaine became a quite popular tonic and was included as a main active ingredient in many soft drinks, tonics and even wines. People of all ages and social classes had an opportunity to indulge in the consumption of such product with euphoric effects – this fact is usually does not pop up in the “brief” historic descriptions of cocaine, but it is true anyway. Back then people did not realize the true effects and side effects of the drug, so it was actually advertized and promoted by celebrities of the era. Among people to publicize the miraculous effects of cocaine-filled elixirs were Sarah Bernhart and Thomas Edison – Hollywood star and the man who invented light bulb had followed in famous physiologist’s footsteps. There were no constraints on who and how often could obtain the substance in any of its forms, so eventually cocaine has entered into large segment of American society and became a part of drug culture of the era. Silent film industry also heavily promoted cocaine use as a part of new lifestyle, and the message was reaching out to millions of people and also across the ocean into Europe.

But not only cocaine was a new fad of the time – such drugs as heroin and opium have also entered into many lives, mostly as parts of tonics and potions that cured anything – from toothaches to sexual impotence. Many medicines combined both cocaine and opiates as active ingredients to treat various ailments.