Posted by blackjack on June 9, 2001, at 16:24:50
In reply to EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE - energy dieting?, posted by medeena k on June 9, 2001, at 15:41:13
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine, closely related to amphetamine and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). It's primary medical use has been as a brochidialaotor in treating asthma, but there are better drugs availible today. It is a central nervous system stimulant, like amphetamine, but not as potent. However, most people find that it's peripheral side-effects (sweating, tremor, nausea) are actually WORSE than those of amphetamine. It has been a favorite of truck drivers, college students and weight lifters for a long time, since it was availible over the counter, but it is no longer sold in single ingredient preparations (to prevent it's being used in illegal methamphetamine synthesis) and many states have banned it outright. It occurs naturally in the herb ma-huang, however, and as such is availible in many herbal "dietary supplements."
It is not a particularly safe drug, all-in-all. In low doses, such as those used to treat asthma, it doesn't present much of a problem, but if the dosage is increased to a level to suppress appetite, prevent sleep or cause euphoria, it can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure and body temperature. It appears to be more of a beta-agonist than amphetamine, meaning that it's effects on blood pressure are actually worse. Like amphetamine, it creates a tolerence to many of its effects, so, like amphetamines, it isn't very useful for long-term weight loss.
Honestly, I would reccomend amphetamine before ephedrine, for the simple reason that it can be taken at lower dosages, achieving the same level of stimulation with less side effects. Most of the meth-fiends I have encountered in my life wouldn't touch ephedrine, not because it wasn't as potent, but because it made them feel sick.
poster:blackjack
thread:65934
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65936.html