Ephedrine is a drug but It is available
OTC. Athletes use It for several reasons. It can Increase thermogenesis.
which is the ability to convert excess calories into heat instead of fat,
by enhancing norepinephrine release. It has been found that people who
store excess body fat are Insensitive to the chemical norepinephrine (NP).
NP stimulates thermogenesis In the body so that excess calories can burn
Instead of being stored. Certain drugs can stimulate or potentiate the
effects of NP. This in turn, would allow fat people to burn off calories
as rapidly as thin people do. Ephedrine has that capability. The Chinese
have used ephedrine in the form of herbal teas for thousands of years,
i.e. Ephedra or MA Haung tea. Ephedrine is similar in structure to amphetamines,
because of this. It mimics some of the effects of "speed" such as dampening
the appetite and raising blood pressure. It Is however, much weaker and
far less toxic than amphetamines (although It is banned as a stimulant
by most athletic organizatlons). The effect of ephedrine Is called a "futile
energy cycle." Ephedrine stimulates the conversion of thyroid into Its
most active form. T-3 in peripheral tissue. This stimulates the metabolism
and burns up calories quicker. Caffeine and aspirin stimulate the thermogenic
effects of ephedrine. In fact It has recently become quite commonplace
for pre-contest bodybullders to forgo the use of dangerous thyroid drugs
and instead use a combination of ephedrine, aspirin and caffeine for cutting
up. A usual dose for fat loss has been in the area of 100 mg caffeine,
50 mg ephedrine and one aspirin tablet, three times dally. I've seen athletes
get totally shredded on this stack without losing any muscle! Recent studies
on humans found that combining ephedrine with caffeine and aspirin enhances
calorie-dissipating. Caffeine and aspirin are thought to help by suppressing
agents that would normally further block release of norepinephrine. The
long term effects of combining these three OTC drugs Is largely untested
though. While It appears they are safe, in large dosages they could be
dangerous, particularly the ephedrine.
Ephedrine can also be used as a stimulant to increase workout Intensity
and concentration while training. It Is also effective as an appetite suppressant
for the pre-contest bodybullder and It can be used by bodybullders In an
attempt to diminish the amount of fat reserves they hold. There are many
supplements which boast that they can Increase fat utilization and Increase
llpolysis. l.e. amino acid combinations, camitine, and lipotropics. None
of those natural supplements work nearly as well as ephedrine. Ephedrine
should not be used by any athlete who has had a history of heart palpitations,
arrythmia, or any conductive Irregularity of the heart. Any athlete who
develops these symptoms while using ephedrine should discontinue the use
and consult a physician. Further caution should be used when stacking ephedrine
with caffeine and aspirin as this Is even more likely to cause an irregular
or strong heartbeat. A number of athletes reported these symptoms and had
to discontinue the use of this supplement. Among the other athletes who
had used ephedrine the majority reported a very positive response citing
an increased awareness level and greater ability to concentrate while training.
I would recommend ephedrine for athletes who do not have any heart problems
at all and whose workout would benefit from an increased level of concentration
and an increased "psych". It also can benefit pre-contest bodybuilders.
Ephedrine compounds are
available in various forms. Ephedrine sulfide (sulphur based) is slower
acting and has a shorter duration. It Is the least effective form. Pseudoephedrine
HCL and pseudoephedrine sulfide are man made versions and are a little
more effective. Ephedrine HCL in a high percentage HCL base is preferred
by most and has proven to be quite effective. An example is Dymetadrine
25. Athletes have preferred to take this product 60 minutes prior to their
workout.
Package:
Usualy 20 tablets per box. 50 mg per tablet.
Usage:
Average dose is 25-100 mg a day.