Final answer:
Cocaine causes sympathetic activation by enhancing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, leading to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiological effects of cocaine can be described as sympathetic activation. Cocaine functions as a stimulant, enhancing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and also increasing adrenergic function. This causes heightened arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels, which are characteristic effects of the fight-or-flight response triggered by adrenaline. It does not stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, nor does it inhibit the sympathetic system before activating it.