Almost everyone has heard of a psychostimulant such as ephedrine. A large number of diet pills, as well as syrups and cough tablets contain this substance. Alkaloid has been known since ancient times, but at present, many countries, including Russia, have banned its storage, equating to the storage of drugs or drugs used for their manufacture. In addition, this drug is included in the list of banned doping drugs. The effect of ephedrine on the body can be positive and negative.
Description
Ephedrine belongs to the group of stimulants, and it is a natural substance of plant origin. Get it from the trees of the ephedra family growing in China and Western Siberia. Ephedrine can also be obtained using chemical synthesis. Chinese traditional medicine has been using ephedrine extract for the treatment of bronchial asthma for 5 thousand years, and in the Middle East they treat pathologies accompanied by fever.
Many people seeking to lose weight actively use it to reduce body weight. But you should know that the substance has a different effect on the human body. The benefits and harms of ephedrine have been thoroughly studied, and the International Olympic Committee has banned it. You can buy the drug in pharmacies only on a special form, which is certified by the seal of the institution.
Action of ephedrine
This substance has a definite effect on the body. It affects the adrenergic receptors, which leads to the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, due to which various metabolic and functional changes begin to occur in the body. Blood pressure rises sharply, blood circulation accelerates, heart contractions and respiratory rate increase, body temperature rises, blood glucose levels jump. And this is far from all the processes that ephedrine stimulates.
The effect on the body of a substance is such that, as a result, metabolism is enhanced. As you know, this usually happens in two cases - as a result of excessive physical exertion and sudden danger, when a large amount of adrenaline is released into the blood. This situation can be considered as a critical state of the body due to the activation of all its vital forces. Endurance and performance increase, so training becomes more productive.
The mood improves, the person seeks to communicate, he has an irresistible desire to talk with someone. At the end of the action of ephedrine, mood begins to drop sharply, severe depression occurs, irritability, bitterness, weakness, lethargy, and weakness appear.
The use of ephedrine in sports
Athletes get the most benefit from using this substance. The effect of ephedrine on the body is such that many athletes use drugs based on it before the competition. This is due to the fact that the stimulator allows you to increase physical activity and at the same time not get tired, plus it helps to burn fat.
Ephedrine in bodybuilding is very popular. The effect on the body of this substance is that it increases the metabolic rate, leads to stimulation of the heart rhythm, promotes the breakdown of fat and causes protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. The ability to exercise is increased several times. Due to the fact that the body is not so tired, training becomes more intense and productive. But do not forget that the drug in sports is considered doping.
The benefits of ephedrine
The substance is also used to treat certain diseases. The effect of ephedrine on the patient’s body with asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis and bronchitis is very beneficial: it alleviates the human condition, as it helps to expand the bronchi. This stimulator has been used since ancient times as an effective remedy for various lung diseases. With a bronchodilator property, ephedrine helps relieve asthma attacks. As a result of prolonged use, the effectiveness of the drug is reduced, therefore, combination treatment is often practiced.
In ophthalmology, a solution of ephedrine allows you to narrow the blood vessels of the eye and dilate the pupil. It was also found that this substance well eliminates the consequences in case of poisoning with sleeping pills. As medical practice shows, ephedrine helps increase blood pressure in the event of a sharp decrease during anesthesia. Doctors also prescribe it to treat chronically low blood pressure.
All drugs containing a stimulant are dispensed only by prescription.
Ephedrine use and effects
Despite all the positive characteristics, this alkaloid can not be called harmless. Preparations based on it can bring not only benefits, but also harm. Since the main component is considered a narcotic substance, prolonged use of the drug can cause dependence. Thus, the effect of ephedrine on the body is twofold: along with the therapeutic effect, it can provoke the development of negative side reactions. Improving the performance and endurance of a person, the drug simultaneously contributes to the appearance of headaches, vomiting and nausea, while the respiratory and cardiovascular system is very affected.
Ephedrine is not in vain recognized as a dangerous substance. Experts warn: even a short intake of such drugs provokes the development of diarrhea, and men can suffer from impaired urination and potency.
For diseases of the thyroid gland, heart problems, frequent increase in blood pressure, you should refrain from taking this drug. Since the effect of ephedrine on the human body leads to stimulation of the central nervous system, an overdose is possible. Symptoms include rapid breathing, palpitations, panic, nausea, diarrhea, impaired blood pressure, trembling, loss of consciousness, extreme anxiety, hallucinations.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to take ephedrine in combination with antidepressants, in particular serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Taking these two drugs at the same time contributes to the occurrence of side effects, since the level of norepinephrine rises sharply in the blood serum.
People with hyperthyroidism, adrenal gland dysfunctions, diabetes with diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as with hypoxia, acidosis, hypercapnia, and prostate hypertrophy should be very careful about taking the drug.
Ephedrine is strictly prohibited for pheochromocytoma, allergies to this stimulant, angle-closure glaucoma, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The effect of ephedrine on the body of a pregnant woman can be extremely negative, so it is also contraindicated for women in position.
Ephedrine preparations
This substance is part of various drugs sold in pharmacies, and many of them are sold over-the-counter. As a rule, drugs with ephedrine have an antitussive and anti-inflammatory effect, and also contribute to vasoconstriction. They are available in the form of injectable solutions, tablets, herbal syrups and are used for bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma.
In addition, ephedrine is found in drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure, depression, allergies, myasthenia gravis, as well as drugs that normalize heart function.
Output
Ephedrine is banned for free sale. Nevertheless, in some cases it is not possible to completely abandon drugs based on it. Many patients to whom the doctor prescribed drugs with the mentioned alkaloid spoke about him in a positive way, noting that taking such drugs contributes to a significant improvement in health status. Professional athletes are especially fond of ephedrine. But do not abuse this substance, as it is often addictive, and discontinuation of administration leads to adverse consequences. Such drugs should be taken under the strict supervision of a physician.