Ephedrine
ByLucas Blake
Alkaloid ephedrine is derived from the plant
Ephedraceae. (There are many common names
for these evergreen plants, including Birgham
Weed, squaw tea, Mormon tea, Ephedra, Herb
of the Sun, Popotillo and Ma Huang). Ephedra
is 50 cm tall bush which grows in Asia, Japan,
North America and Europe.
The uses of ephedrine are known to
exist for around 6000 years. Roots of
ephedra have been used against cough,
fever, headache and for blood cleaning.
Roots were also used for better concentration.
The western world has also shown their
interest in ephedrine at around 1923.
They have used it for treating asthma.
Ephedrine in a sports world is used for
losing weight and enhancing concentration
and physical abilities. Effects are even
better, if ephedrine is used with aspirin
and coffee.
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine
- that is, its principal mechanism of
action relies on its indirect action on
the adrenergic receptor system. Whilst
it may have weak agonist activity at α-
and β-adrenergic receptors, the principal
mechanism is to displace nor adrenaline
from storage vesicles in pre synaptic
neurons. The displaced nor adrenaline
is released into the neuronal synapse
where it is free to activate the aforementioned
postsynaptic adrenergic receptors.
Effects of ephedrine are:
- increase heart pressure
- treatment of asthma
- increases body temperature
- increases metabolism
- increases the force of skeletal muscle
contractions
- decreases appetite
As ephedrine will increase the force
of skeletal muscle contractions, that
is why, it is commonly used by power lifters
before a competition, as the resultant
(slight) strength and energy increase
can clearly improve the weight totals
on major lifts. It may also provide a
notable mental edge, as the user is more
energetic and better able to concentrate
on the tasks ahead.
While the strength boosting effect of
this drug is noteworthy, the primary application
for ephedrine remains to be as a cutting
agent. The widely touted stack of ephedrine
(25-50 mg), caffeine (200 mg) and aspirin
(300 mg) is shown to be extremely potent
for fat loss
But unfortunately ephedrine has also
some side effects, which are shaky hands,
tremors, sweating, rapid heartbeat, dizziness
and feelings of inner unrest. While taking
ephedrine one may also endure a notable
loss of appetite. The user may further
notice headaches and an increase in blood
pressure with regular use of ephedrine.
Those suffering from thyroid dysfunction,
high blood pressure or cardiac irregularities
should also not be taking ephedrine, as
it will certainly not mix well with such
conditions.
About The Author
Lucas Blake is a junior manager of http://www.eurobolic.com/.
