Because they both seem to function as "uppers," some people think that cocaine and methamphetamine are essentially the same drug. While it is true that they both have similar mental and physiological effects, the two drugs do act quite differently. In contrast to cocaine, which is rapidly broken down in the body, methamphetamine tends to accumulate in both the body and brain, thereby leading to longer effects and more potential to cause long-term brain damage. Also, cocaine is derived from a natural substance, the coca plant, while methamphetamine is a totally synthetic chemical.