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In the United States, ephedra and ephedrine are sold in health food stores under a variety of brand names. Ephedrine is widely used for weight loss, as an energy booster, and to enhance athletic perfo
rmance. These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse effects. Ephedra is often touted as the "herbal fen-p
hen."
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Ephedrine is a naturally occuring central nervous system stimulant obtained
-from the plant _Ephedra equisetina_. It is now also produced by chemical
-synthesis, the synthetic product being mark
eted in the form of its salt,
-ephedrine sulfate; it occurs as a white crystalline powder with a bitter
-taste, soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol. Ephedrine is closely
-related in
structure to methamphetamine, although its CNS actions are much
-less potent and also longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Its
-peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powe
rful than those of
-epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the
-adrenal glands.
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Ephedrine is the oral form of Epinephrine, or adrenaline. It was
-once a commonly prescribed drug for asthma, but newer drugs in the
-xanthine class have less side effects.
-Ephedrine is rela
ted to pseudoephedrine which was designed as a
-decongestant with less undesirable effects.
-Ephedra is a Chinese herb that's been used for centuries to treat
-asthma
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Tea is a stimulant beverage with an ancient history of use. Coffee is another. Another is ephedra, which the Chinese call ma huang. Like coffee and tea, it has been brewed into a beverage for thousand
s of years and consumed for its stimulant effects. Cola nuts, which contain caffeine, are used to make the stimulant beverage, Coke. Legally we classify these stimulant beverages as foods.
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Ephedrine act as stimulants that can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias) Ephedrines act in a similar way as that of adrenaline. It dilates the bronchial muscles, contacts the nasal
mucosa, raises the blood pressure and is a cardiac stimulant. Further these compounds often cause psychological side effects such as depression, nervousness, insomnia, and rapid heart rate. When take
n in combination with caffeine, ephedrine can over-stimulate the central nervous system, leading to potentially life-threatening results.
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Ephedrine is an adrenergic drug that works by stimulating alpha
-and beta receptors thus causing the release of norepinephrine.
-Alpha and beta receptors exist in the sympathetic nervous system,
-(fight or flight) and stimulation causes increased heart rate,
-bronchodilation, and vasoconstriction.
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