Ephedrine, also known as ephedra or ma huang, is an herb distilled from the ephedrine plant (Ephedra sinica) that has a variety of medical effects. This drug has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for curing asthma, hay fever and common cold for over 4000 years. This herb is popularly known for constricting blood vessels and increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Though commonly used as a decongestant, ephedrine is also noted for its stimulant effects, similar to caffeine. In many organized sports, the substance is banned due to its possible performance enhancing effect.
The herb is also a cure for bronchitis, difficulty in breathing, joint symptoms, inability to perspire, pain and swelling of bones. Noting its benefits, the herb is being used by Indian, German and Japanese folk medicine practitioners. The benefits of these pills have been recognized by the World Health Organization too. They found the following uses of ephedrine preparations to be supported by clinical data: treatment of nasal congestion due to hay fever, allergic rhinitis, common cold, sinusitis, and as a bronchodilator in treatment of bronchial asthma. Aside from respiratory ailments, ephedrine is also found in herbal preparations marketed for weight loss, athletic performance and physical and mental stimulation. However, ephedrine side effects have been observed by various medicine practitioners across the globe. Many regions regulate the use and distribution of the substance because of its potentially adverse side effects.
Ephedrine works by opening bronchial passageways to allow more air to flow through, thus reducing the pain and discomfort of asthma or a respiratory infection. Although once found in many over-the-counter decongestants, ephedrine is now sometimes reserved for use in prescription or limited availability medications. In the United States, cold medicine containing ephedra is often available only by asking pharmacists for it specifically, and then only in limited quantities.
Heavy exercisers and athletes frequently use ephedrine to boost metabolism and improve performance. Much like caffeine, the chemical compounds in the drug speed up the heart rate and blood pressure, while some studies also show that it can increase concentration and improve focus. Many dieters also use ephedrine-containing diet pills to help increase weight loss by improving metabolism and suppressing the appetite.
Unfortunately, ephedrine has several downsides that have led to increased regulatory laws regarding its use and public availability. In excessive amounts, the substance can cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, and hyperthyroidism. Used in conjunction with other drugs, mental side effects such as hallucinations, anxiety attacks, and even bursts of rage can occur. Though generally considered safe in moderate amounts, some experts suggest that prolonged or regular use can lead to a chemical and psychological addiction to the substance. Addiction to ephedrine can also lead users to increase the dose as their bodies become used to the normal amount, increasing the chances of adverse or dangerous effects.
More sinister is the use of the substance in the production of methamphetamine drugs, which are illegal in many regions. These highly dangerous compounds are used as stimulants, but can result in potentially fatal side effects and severe behavioral changes. Methamphetamine drugs can lead to severe paranoia, rage, and even a euphoric feeling of invincibility, making injury and violence increasingly likely. The production of methamphetamine is named as a major factor in the creation of laws and regulations that guide ephedrine use and sales.
In the United States (US), ephedra, when marketed as a supplement or a medicinal ingredient, was commonly called ephedrine. In the US, the supplement was commonly marketed to stimulate weight loss, to boost energy, and to improve athletic performance. It was also found in over-the-counter asthma medicines. However, in April 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the decision to ban ephedrine due to a number of reported deaths and side effects, saying "the data showed little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss, while confirming that the substance raises blood pressure and stresses the heart."
Ephedra's main active ingredients are stimulants, which act in the body much the same as amphetamines do. According to an explanation by the Rand Corporation, which analyzed the substance, this reveals why it was used in asthma medications. Rand says the stimulants have the ability to relax bronchial tissue, which can result in easing of shortness of breath.
According to Rand's findings, the supplement did promote some short-term weight loss. When it is used for weight loss purposes, it is believed to be most effective when combined with caffeine. The same is believed to be true when the supplement is used for performance enhancement.
Adequate large and wide scale studies have not been conducted on ephedra or the effects that it causes. Many of the allegations against the substance are quite serious, however. These include claims that the supplement causes heart attacks, high blood pressure, and bleeding in the brain.
Rand concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to hold ephedra accountable for the negative claims against it. The corporation did, however, find it noteworthy that many of the serious adverse effects which were blamed on the supplement occurred in healthy people younger than 30.
Ephedra has been used in places such as China and India for centuries, often as a treatment for colds. The controversy that surrounds the supplement leads to another noteworthy point. Generally, in the places where historical use of the supplement has been widely reported, ephedra is not used for the same purposes as it is in the places that report major problems.
The main uses of ephedra are as:
Historical uses - Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation.
Echinacea is used frequently as an antibiotic, antiseptic, immune stimulator, depurative, digestive, blood purifier, and to produce sweat.
It helps to stimulate proper digestion, and as a mouthwash, it can be used for the treatment of painful gums and toothaches.
Echinacea helps the body's natural ability to fight invaders through a natural antibiotic which it contains called echinacoside, which has been compared to penicillin.
Chinese herb - In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency.
It also helps to stimulate the body's cells to produce a chemical which is naturally produced by the white blood cells while fighting infection. This chemical is called interferon.
Current Western uses - Ephedra is used principally in current western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay fever, and for the acute onset of colds and flu. Ephedra also helps to raise blood pressure, cool fevers, and alleviate rheumatism.
Ephedrine dilates bronchial tubes for easier breathing for those with asthmatic symptoms. The action of ephedrine in expanding airways has been effective in both children and adults for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, due to the health risks with ephedrine, doctors recommend other treatments, including beta-agonist inhalers such as albuterol instead. When used in a nasal spray or wash, ephedrine may also aid breathing for those with nasal allergies.
Ephedrine is a stimulate drug that belongs to a group of medicines called sympathomimetics. Specifically, it is both an alpha and beta adrenergic agonist similar in action to the popular weight loss drug clenbuterol. In addition, ephedrine enhances the release of norepinephrine, a strong endogenous alpha agonist. The action of this compound is notably similar to that of the body's primary adrenergic hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which also exhibits activity towards the body's alpha and beta receptors.
When administered, ephedrine will notably increase the activity of the central nervous system, as well as have a stimulatory effect on other target cells. This may produce some effects that will be beneficial to people who exercise.
Ephedrine is an old medication, and has been used in the U.S. for a number of medical applications over the years including that of an appetite suppressant, decongestant, and hypotension treatment associated with anesthesia. Today, it is approved as an over the counter medicine, and sales are mainly from this sector. The drug is also a common ingredient in methamphetamine and because of this regulations have been put in place to regulate large sales of the drug. Many believe that due to the rising problem of meth use in the United States that ephedrine will eventually become a controlled substance.
The stimulatory effect that ephedrine has on the central nervous system offers several benefits to athletes. For example, this enhanced stimulation should allow for an increase in the force able to be generated in skeletal muscle contractions. Obviously this could result in increased strength that a user could generate and/or more explosive actions or movements during athletic endeavors.
Other such possible beneficial results of this increased activity in the central nervous system include such things as improved lung function, anaerobic capacity, hand-eye coordination and cardio-respiratory endurance, among others.
These listed potential benefits should not be looked upon as absolutes however due to some contradictory research that indicates no such benefits were seen with ephedrine supplementation. Despite these contradictory findings however, the vast majority of research does indeed indicate a direct correlation between ephedrine use, an increase in central nervous system activity and an improvement in numerous athletic performance measures.
A second, related benefit of ephedrine administration is the increase in metabolism and lipolytic effects in the body. For the most part this is accomplished by the thermogenic effect that the compound produces. In much the same way that a drug such as clenbuterol does, although clenbuterol is a selective beta-2 agonist while ephedrine is an alpha and beta adrenergenic agonist, ephedrine raises the body temperature of the user which creates the increase in metabolism. When taken alone ephedrine should deliver these benefits for the user quite adequately.
Among users and producers of products containing ephedrine however, other compounds are often administered along with the ephedrine to increase the effect of the supplement. The most popular compound to include with ephedrine is caffeine. It is thought by many that this is due to the thermogenic nature of caffeine and that it would be of added benefit in this regard. This is not true however. The actual effect that is trying to be produced by using caffeine with ephedrine is to attempt to prolong and intensify the effects of the ephedrine.
People looking to take the drug for weight loss will usually take 25-50mg per application 2-3 times per day. Because it's a beta agonist the receptors will eventually down regulate and the drug will lose its effectiveness over time. Because of this, users usually choose to run the drug for a schedule of 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. The effectiveness of the drug can be measured usually by checking body temperature.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of ephedrine alkaloids in 2004 due to health risks including high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. The herbal supplement is also known as ma huang in China and can stimulate the nervous system with serious side effects, especially if combined with caffeine, so be sure to consult your doctor prior to using it. Drugs.com states that side effects of using ephedrine include trouble sleeping, nausea, headaches and nervousness.
When ephedrine is abused (for weight loss and recreational use) it can lead to amphetamine like side effects: high blood pressure, racing heart beat, nervousness, irritability, headaches, trouble urinating, and insomnia. At higher doses, ephedrine can cause a dramatic increase in blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia. The drug ephedrine is habituating (meaning that you need to take more and more to get the same effect) but it unclear if the whole herb form Ephedra has the same effect.
Other side effects of ephedrine include:
nausea
headache; dizziness
irritation of the stomach; diarrhea
anxiety; psychosis
kidney stones
tremors
dry mouth
irregular or rapid heart rhythms; heart damage
high blood pressure
restlessness; nervousness; sleeping problems
decreased appetite
flushing; sweating
increased urination
Use of ephedra has also been associated with stroke, seizures, psychosis and death.
The risk of side effects and adverse effects appears to be greater in people with preexisting conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure; heart rate disorders; thyroid disease; hypoglycemia; glaucoma; anxiety; glaucoma; pheochromocytoma; diabetes; kidney disease or kidney stones; mental illness or a history of mental illness; enlarged prostate; cerebral insufficiency and a history of seizures, stroke, or transient ischemic attacks. People with these health conditions should avoid ephedra. People with allergies to ephedra, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine should also avoid ephedra.
Ephedra is believed to increase the risk of heat stroke, because it increases metabolism and impairs the body's ability to lose heat.
Ephedra shouldn't be taken two weeks before or after surgery. It shouldn't be used by pregnant or nursing women or children. People with anorexia nervosa or bulimia should avoid ephedra because it affects appetite.