Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Coca tea / coca candy

Has anyone seen any studies on the effectiveness of coca tea or coca products such as coca candy on altitude sickness? I have heard anecodotal stories from friends hiking in peru that they thought that the coca tea and coca candy helped their high altitude symptoms, but I haven't been able to find any studies. Does anyone know whether it just masks the symptoms (cue Joe Cocker's "Feelin Alright") or speeds acclimitization?

Brent

I don't believe so, at least I've not seen.

A 2010 Wilderness Medical Society study of studies:
ranking of prevention of AMS (abbreviated):

graded ascent - strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence
Diamox - strong recommendation, low quality evidence
Ginkgo - weak recommendation, low quality evidence
Coca -never systematically studied, anecdotal use in Andes, Asia

Does "low quality evidence" and "moderate quality evidence" refer to the degree of confidence (for lack of a better term) in the recommendation of its effectiveness?

the first part of their "ranking" is their recommendation, the second part is their opinion of the quality of the studies or evidence that led to that conclusion. Hope that makes sense.

It does - thanks.