The Danger of Ephedrine and Why You Shouldn't Use It

Products on the shelf that contained Ephedra before the ban in 2004. While the ban on ephedra was once lifted in April of 2005, it was deemed illegal once again by a major court decision on July 18, 2006.

The Danger and Side Effects of Ephedrine and Ephedra Alkaloids

Ephedrine is a naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant obtained from the plants, MaHaung, Ephedra equisetina and others. It is also produced by chemical synthesis, the synthetic product being marketed in the form of ephedrine sulfate, ephedrine hcl, or pseudoephedrine.

The danger of ephedra regarding side effects is something many people are concerned about as ephedrine is closely related in structure to methamphetamine, and its central nervous system actions are more potent per unit and longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Common side effects are qualitatively similar to those produced by amphetamines. Higher doses (overdose) can cause restlessness and anxiety, adrenal disorders, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, rapid pulse, sweating, respiratory difficulties, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and (very infrequently) convulsions. The most dangerous side effects of ephedra overdose are stroke, heart attack, abnormally high blood pressure and rapid, irregular heartbeat.

A dose of ephedrine only two to three times the therapeutic maximum can cause a significant increase in blood pressure. The elderly are particularly sensitive to overdose, and there have been a few deaths among such patients.

The Ephedrine Side Effect No One Speaks Of!

If you think you can start using ephedrine safely then this should interest you. A number of instances of psychosis, a side effect clinically similar to amphetamine psychosis, have resulted from long term ephedra abuse. Because of it's extremely addictive properties, long term abuse of ephedra or ephedrine is very common and can cause severe with drawl symptoms when usage is discontinued.

These with drawl symptoms range from depression, to anxiety and manic depressive behavior associated with weight gain and metabolism changes. Most of these side effects are due to the fact that ephedra and amphetamine usage can permanently damage your adrenals which depletes an important brain communication neurotransmitter called Noradrenaline, or commonly called Norepinephrine (NE). It has been reported that depletion of NE from ephedra and amphetamine usage can reduce the effectiveness of a specific amine that provides mental energy and focus called Phenylethylamine. Without providing the nutrients to make NE and eventually Phenylethylamine, the ephedra/amphetamine usage eventually breaks your body down. In some individuals this brain chemical depletion can cause permanent behavioral damage.

Fatal Ephedra Usage

Sports organizations have banned the use of ephedrine and ephedra substances. The NFL immediately banned its usage in 2002 after the death of Kory Stringer, who died of a heatstroke during a Minnesota Vikings pre season workout and was using ephedra to lose weight and enhance athletic performance.

Then in 2003, ephedra was implicated in the death of a 23-year-old athlete - Steve Bechler - a prospective pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Coroner Dr. Joshua Perper not only found ephedra partly to blame for Bechlar's sudden death, he went so far as to say no athlete should take it.

Over 155 deaths linked to products containing ephedra have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration, and after much debate the federal agency decided on a ban in December 2003; it went into effect on April 12, 2004. It was the governments first-ever ban on a dietary supplement.

April 12, 2004 - Ephedra Banned in the US

A federal judge allowed a nationwide ban on dietary supplements containing ephedra to take effect on April 12, 2004. Ephedra, which was also hugely popular for weight loss and bodybuilding, had been linked to many deaths and dozens more heart attacks and strokes. After years of fighting manufacturers over ephedra's side effects and risks, the Food and Drug Administration announced in December it would ban sales of the amphetamine-like herb — the first such ban of a dietary supplement — and urged consumers to quit using it immediately. "This FDA rule reflects what the scientific evidence shows that ephedra poses an unreasonable risk to those who use it," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "The regulations prohibit the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra, and we intend to take swift action against anyone who puts consumers at risk by continuing to sell such products after the prohibition takes effect."

Research conducted on Ephedra by the court shows the herb can speed heart rate and constrict blood vessels even in seemingly healthy people, but it's particularly risky for those with heart disease or high blood pressure or who engage in strenuous exercise.

But of course after all the negative press, ephedra sales already had plummeted before the ban because of publicity about the risks and known side effects, which peaked after the ephedra-related death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler during spring training last year.

April 14, 2005 - Ephedra Ban Lifted By Federal Judge Despite Dangers

Surprisingly and seemingly out of nowhere, just one year later on April 14, 2005, a federal judge struck down the FDA ban on ephedra! After it was linked to dozens of deaths Ephedra was now allowed back in the marketplace. The ruling meaned that manufacturers may irresposibly sell ephedra once again, but of course many may refrain from marketing the herb due to past events and the chance of multiple lawsuits.

This leaves many unsuspecting consumers wondering if they should go back to using the supplements that included ephedra with industry groups at it's height claiming at least 12 million users. The federal judges ruling sends the matter back to the FDA "for further rule making consistent with the courts opinion" and keeps the agency from enforcement action against companies that sell ephedra. In the meantime it is apparant the FDA will seek appeal on the decision and we should find out more by the end of the year.

July 18, 2006 - Court Backs Original Ephedra FDA Ban

Ephedra is banned once again. On July 18, 2006 the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the ephedra ban by the Food and Drug Administration. It concluded the FDA adhered to Congressional mandate in conducting a risk-benefit analysis to determine if ephedra presents an "unreasonable risk of illness or injury".

This ruling in support of the FDA ban on ephedra at any dose reverses the April 2005 ruling by Salt Lake City federal judge Tena Campbell, who ruled in favor of lifting the ephedra ban. Her judicial review found no evidence to support FDA's conclusion that 10 mg per day of ephedra presented a significant or unreasonable risk.

The ruling concludes Ephedra and Ephedrine based products are once again illegal to sell or manufacture in the US once again.

Methamphetamine From Ephedra - Destroying Small Town America

Other concerns with the FDA are increasing the availability of ephedra to drug users, who make ephedra and ephedrine analogs into the deadly drug methamphetamine (also known as speed, meth, crystal, crank, tina, and ice). Even though ephedra raises blood pressure and pulse per unit greater than Methamphetamine, it's the administration (snorting, smoking or injecting) of Methamphetamine by drug users that make it deadly.

Methamphetamine is a chemical widely known for its stimulant properties on the human body. It is frequently confused with other drugs that share similar chemical structures, including amphetamine, ephedrine and other chemicals, both legal and illegal. Last year in the US, Methamphetamine claimed the lives of over 3000 people (mostly youths under 21) and it's expected to nearly double this year.

The irresponsible decision made by the court in 2005 temporarily allowed ephedrine to be used for methamphetamine drug making once again. But with the new ephedra ban court decision, small towns across america (especially the midwest) have a better chance of reducing the availability of this deadly drug.

WARP 9 The Patented "Safe Alternative To Ephedrine and Ephedra

While some manufacturers rushed to get ephedra products back on the shelf during the lift of the ephedrine ban in 2005, one company, Dynapure Nutrition held its ground with its safe ephedrine replacement. In fact in April of 2006, the company’s patent for its weight loss product WARP 9, was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as an ephedrine replacement, cited as a “composition for treatment of obesity or generally aiding weight loss by appetite reduction and metabolism increase.”

Since the ban on ephedra and it's damaged reputation as a safe dietary supplement for weight loss, there has only been one ephedrine alternative that has been cited by numerous scientific studies to actually help users lose weight. The product is the patented WARP 9 Safe Ephedra Replacement product. The ingredients in WARP 9 actually mimics ephedra by utilizing the same biochemical pathways in the body, but safely keeps the body's own natural metabolism in charge.

This is acheived with ingredients that have a proven safety record in our food supply for over 35 years. One such ingredient in WARP 9 is Green Tea Extract, which has been clinically proven to boost metabolism and energy expenditure safely without damage to the human body. In fact, many research studies on Green Tea have shown it possesses anti cancer, anti viral, and antioxidant properties beneficial to your health.

Another effective weight loss ingredient in WARP 9 is 5-HTP from the plant Griffonia Simplicifolia. This herb has a long standing record of safety and has been clinically proven to reduce appetite by safely decreasing hunger signals in the brain similar to that of ephedra without side effects. In combination with Green Tea and it's metabolism boosting properties this provides a distinct advantage to those wishing to lose weight safely and effectively.

One of the key ingredients in WARP 9 is L-Phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid and a building block for certain brain neurotransmitters such as Noradrenaline or commonly called Norepinephrine (NE). L-Phenylalanine can increase our supply of Noradrenaline and can activate our metabolism by switching on brown fat tissue to burn the white fat, located around our waistline, hips and thighs. Unlike ephedra which depletes Noradrenaline, L-Phenylalanine actually supplies it, safely providing the user with all the benefits of ephedra like properties with none of the deleterious side effects. L-Phenylalanine can easily be converted into Norepinephrine and eventually boosts the important brain chemical Phenylethylamine which increases energy and mental focus with no drop-offs or jitters.

This amino acid has also been used to treat depression because it safely provides an amphetamine-like boost in mood. WARP 9 is also very effective at minimizing withdrawal symptoms with individuals who are smart to discontinue usage of ephedra or amphetamines.

WARP 9 is specifically designed to naturally utilize the same biochemical weight loss pathways as ephedrine, but safely keeps your body's own natural metabolism in charge. It does this with good nutrition thru key mechanisms that are crucial to you losing weight, quickly, safely and effectively. Because of safe, effective alternatives like WARP 9, the dangers of ephedra usage should no longer be considered.

Site Map

How Ephedra's Dangerous Side Effects Could Permanently Hurt Your Body

Ephedra Alkaloid Chemical Structure That Closely Resembles Amphetamine