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Ephedrine
Ephedrine Ephedrine belongs to the group of sympathomimetics.
Although it is not a hormone compound, we would still like to
describe it briefly since it offers the athlete three
interesting effects.
First, Ephedrine has clear fat burning characteristics. On the
one hand, this occurs since Ephedrine produces heat in the body
(thermogenesis). Simplified, Ephedrine slightly increases the
body temperature so that the body burns more calories than
usual. On the other hand, Ephedrine stimulates the thyroid gland
to transform the weaker LT-4 (L-thyroxine) into the stronger
LT-3 (liothyronine), thus accelerating the metabolism. The fat
burning effect, with the additional intake of both
methylzanthine caffeine and aspirin, can almost be doubled.
Scientific research has shown that the combination of 25 mg
Ephedrine, 200 mg caffeine, and 300 mg aspirin is ideal to
produce a synergetic effect. Those who apply this combination
three times daily, approximately 30 minutes prior to a meal,
will significantly burn fat. Competing bodybuilders have
appreciated this for quite some time. Second, Ephedrine has anti
catabolic characteristics. Thus it is especially useful for
maintaining the muscle system while dieting.
Finally, athletes often use Ephedrine as a "training booster."
Since it has a mild amphetamine-like effect on the central
nervous system (CNS) it improves the concentration, vigilance,
and the interplay of nerves and muscles. For this purpose, 25-50
mg Ephedrine are taken approximately one hour before a workout.
The athlete feels an immediate boost in energy which during
workout can manifest itself in a 5-10% increase in strength.
Again, also in this case, the effect can be improved by taking
caffeine and aspirin (s.a.). It is important to note that
Ephedrine, administered for this purpose, is not to be taken
more than three times a week; otherwise, the body gets
accustomed to it and the "boost effect" decreases, and much
higher dosages are needed.
Side effects can manifest themselves in the form of more rapid
heart beat, insomnia, tremors (light trembling of the fingers),
headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, and lack of appetite.
The last characteristic, however, is much appreciated by
athletes on a diet. Ephedrine must not be taken when high blood
pressure, a severe hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, irregular
heart rhythm, or a recent myocardiac infarction are present. In
Europe Ephedrine is a prescription drug which is mostly
available in combination with other substances. Such a
combination compound, for example, is the German drug Perspiran
N, which contain an additional 25 mg Ephedrine hydrochioride and
125 mg tlieopriyiline per tablet. Theophylline increases the
effect of Ephedrine. The Spanish Efedrina Level of Laboratorio
Level S.A. Company can be found on the black market. A 50 mg
tablet usually costs $10. The tablets are indented, with
"EFEDRINA" stamped on the back. Twenty-four tablets are packaged
in a small white plastic box with a pull-off label. The
substance Ephedrine hydrochioride is not a prescription drug and
is freely available while other stimulants and medicines used in
sports are either unavailable or available only at high risk on
the black market. In special magazines for bodybuilders one can
always find adds freely offering Ephedrine. Until the time that
this condition changes, Ephedrine is of no importance on the
black market.
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