What is Ephedrine?

Ephedrine is an alkaloid, which is derived from many different plants in the Ephedra plant family. It is used in both prescription and non-prescription forms as a decongestant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid and stimulant.

Some reports have suggested that ephedrine helps with thinking and studying or with anything where concentration is needed and is far better than caffeine. Students and white-collar workers have been known to use ephedrine for this reason, while athletes and weight lifters have been known to use it during a workout to enhance the experience. Ephedrine has been known to increase heart rate, give an energetic feeling, produce stimulant dependence and on rare occasions have deadly side effects.

Those who use ephedrine on a regular basis have reported increased effects of the drug by mixing or ‘stacking' as it is commonly called, with coffee or items containing caffeine. Regular use of ephedrine will build a tolerance to the drug, and over time the dosage will have to be increased periodically in order to receive the same ‘high’ as in the beginning.

Ephedrine is also the key ingredient in the Methamphetamine production, which is a highly addictive drug that has grown to epidemic proportions over the last ten years. Methamphetamine is both toxic and deadly.

Even though ephedrine itself is not nor has never been illegal in the United States, the United States passed a law in 2006 in regards to the sale of products containing ephedrine. This law states that merchants who sell the products must have verification of proof of identity of all purchasers, requirement that any suspicious payments or disappearances of the regulated product be reported to the Attorney General’s office and the products must be sold from behind the counter or locked in a cabinet so that access is restricted.