Ephedrine Caffeine Stack – Good weight loss Supplement or Dangerous Drug.
There are loads of theories and stories concerning the EC stack most of which are rumours that are floated around from half studies and hype.
I thought I would stick down my thoughts and some facts that I collected before I took an EC stack.
The details I found about the first half of the EC stack, Ephedrine is that its Historic or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies but learned from websites like GNC): The Chinese have used ephedra medicinally for over 5,000 years. Ephedra is listed as one of the original 365 herbs from the classical first century A.D. text on Chinese herbalism by Shen Nong. Ephedra’s traditional medicinal uses include the alleviation of sweating, lung and bronchial constriction, and water retention. Coughing, shortness of breath, the common cold, and fevers without sweat are all indications for its use. While its active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated in 1887, the herb did not become popular with U.S. physicians until 1924 for its bronchodilating and decongesting properties.
How much is usually taken?
The crude powdered stems of ephedra (with less than 1% ephedrine) are used at 1.5–6 grams per day, taken as a tea. The crude herb can also be taken in capsule or tablet form, at 500–1,000 mg of ephedra two to three times daily. Tinctures of 1–4 ml three times per day can be taken. Alternatively, standardized extracts supplying 12–25 mg of total alkaloids (calculated as ephedrine) per capsule or tablet may be taken two to three times daily. This form may be preferable for monitoring total daily intake of ephedrine.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Ephedra has a long history of safe use at the recommended amounts. However, abuse of ephedra (and particularly ephedrine)—especially for weight loss or as a recreational drug in the form of pseudoephedrine — can lead to amphetamine-like side effects, including elevated blood pressure, rapid heart beat, nervousness, irritability, headache, urination disturbances, vomiting, muscle disturbances, insomnia, dry mouth, heart palpitations, and even death due to heart failure. One study has shown that a single application of ephedra caused only mild elevation of heart rate but did not consistently affect blood pressure in otherwise healthy adults. When taken at higher levels, ephedra can cause drastic increases in blood pressure, as well as cardiac arrhythmias.
So now it comes to mixing the Ephedrine with caffeine – studies have shown that when the two compounds are mixed an alleviation in heart rate is noted therefore anyone with heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease should as always check with your physician before taking an EC stack.
So is it safe?
As far as the studies I have read have shown Ephedrine and caffeine like most weight loss products that increase your metabolic rate also creates an alleviation in your heart rate and should always be taken with sensible caution and discontinued if any side affects are noted. I personally try and stay away from products that contain the Guaraná plant as its main source of caffeine as combining caffeine drug products such as ephedra (ephedrine) and guaraná increases caffeine-induced side effects. I do recommend if possible that you try and find clean sources of ephedrine and caffeine to create the stack (I get mine from a registered doctor) as it reduces side affects caused by the mix of herbs that a lot of companies put into there weight loss products to try and increase the affects as the body can only take so much punishment before something needs to give, rather use the fact that the ephedra and caffeine give you a good energy boost and spend a little more time on the CV equipment.
So in conclusion an EC stack is safe as long as you use it safely and wisely.