Ephedrine is a stimulant that activates the sympathetic nervous system, and it can be used both in synthesized drug form and as an extract from plants in the Ephedra genus (e.g., Ephedra sinica, also known as Ma Huang)¹. Ephedrine is primarily known for its properties as a nasal decongestant, but it has also been marketed in the past for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement²³.

Uses and Benefits

1. Weight Loss: Ephedrine-containing products have been shown to induce modest, short-term weight loss⁴⁵. However, this effect is often observed in conjunction with caffeine⁶.
2. Athletic Performance: Some studies indicate that ephedrine can improve exercise performance, though these effects are inconsistent and largely observed only when combined with caffeine⁶[^7].
3. Blood Lipid Profiles: Ephedrine has been reported to improve lipid profiles, increasing HDL cholesterol and decreasing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides⁵.

Health Risks and Side Effects

Ephedrine is associated with significant side effects, including:

• Cardiovascular Issues: Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and risks of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke²³.
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects: Anxiety, tremors, headaches, insomnia, and psychotic episodes²⁴.
• Others: Seizures, hypertension, and cerebral artery vasoconstriction²⁴.

Regulatory Status

Due to its serious side effects, the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra and ephedrine-type alkaloids has been banned by the FDA in the United States⁵. Similarly, Health Canada has issued warnings and recalled unapproved herbal preparations containing ephedrine².

Contraindications

Ephedrine should not be used by individuals with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, enlarged prostate, anxiety and restlessness, glaucoma, or by those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors. It is also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women².

Summary

While ephedrine may provide some benefits related to weight loss and exercise performance, these must be weighed against its significant potential risks. It is important to approach the use of ephedrine with caution and under close supervision, particularly concerning heart health²⁵.

Footnotes

1. Examine.com ↩

2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

3. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), NCBI Bookshelf ↩ ↩²

4. Meta-Analysis by Paul G. Shekelle et al, PubMed ↩ ↩² ↩³

5. Systematic Review by Hee-Jeong Yoo, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

6. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance, PubMed ↩ ↩²