OFF ephedrine, feeling DEPRESSED

[MotivatedB]

Hi all,

I'm sure there are a lot of you who have experience with the EC stack, so I'm hoping to get some advice. I guess you can kind of say I've abused the EC stack and now I'm dependant. Every time I stop taking it I'm mildly depressed, I have no motivation, no joy, my work performance lowers, I can go on but you get my point? I've been Natureopaths which gave me a list of natural supplements to take instead of ephedrine which will cost me a small fortune. I've spoke to a counsellor because I'm considering myself to have mild depression and she advised I speak with my family doctor about an anti depressant which I'm not keen on. I've researched St. John's Worts and 5HTP supplements but haven't tried them yet. I just don't know what to do and where to turn. Its either I hate life, feel bogged down and fogged over or I again start taking ephedrine again and feel happy and productive.

I'm just curious on everyone else's experience and how they dealt with it? I don't know what to do but I do know I can't go on like this... . Help me?

[ACSZZ1988]

How long were you taking it and how long have you been off EC?

[MotivatedB]

How long were you taking it and how long have you been off EC?

Been taking it for 3 - 4 years on and off, mainly on because whenever I do stop for the 2 or 3 weeks I'm useless and give in

[ACSZZ1988]

Been taking it for 3 - 4 years on and off, mainly on because whenever I do stop for the 2 or 3 weeks I'm useless and give in

Wow yea that's a long time. I'd definitely suggest trying to stay off it for a few months and see if your mood improves before looking into other drugs. You will likely just become dependant on antidepressants. Wait a while. Maybe try pre workouts and lots of caffeine in the meantime.

I'm no Dr though and I could be very wrong lol hope this helps good luck

[kissdadookie]

How about sticking with just caffeine, drop the ephedrine. Then to ween off the caffeine, gradually lower the dose every 2 weeks or so.

[LiftingLando]

May have to do a slow taper off of it until you find that your body is not responding as negatively.

[MotivatedB]

Yeah most times I've stopped taking it I've gone cold turkey, but still take caffeine but its just not the same. I can literally lie on my couch all day every day or sleep all night and still take a nap. I've done so much research on it and I just can't wait 6 months to a year to feel good/happy again but again I don't want to keep taking ephedrine.

[kissdadookie]

Yeah most times I've stopped taking it I've gone cold turkey, but still take caffeine but its just not the same. I can literally lie on my couch all day every day or sleep all night and still take a nap. I've done so much research on it and I just can't wait 6 months to a year to feel good/happy again but again I don't want to keep taking ephedrine.

Going to have to be a trooper and endure.

[MotivatedB]

Going to have to be a trooper and endure.

Haha I know I know....... I was hoping there was something to help with the down swing of things

[kissdadookie]

Haha I know I know....... I was hoping there was something to help with the down swing of things

I think the low energy issue can be endured, caffeine withdrawal headaches though when you go cold turkey, ouch.

[jphansen]

I'm guessing your diet goes downhill, too, in addition to the lack of energy? That's a big motivator to go back to EC.

I did EC several months, then quit when I saw what it was doing to my personality. I think the way I dealt with the lack of energy was just to tough it out and place myself in sports I really enjoyed.

I figured if I need a drug to enjoy my thing, I'm doing the wrong thing.

Good luck.

[hamdysayed]

Haha I know I know....... I was hoping there was something to help with the down swing of things

look into rhodiola rosea , stuff always make me feel better n relaxed without getting sleepy.
U kinda don't have alot of options!!!

[wheels30]

A slow taper would be much better vs going cold turkey. Just think - your body being dependent for 3-4 years and suddenly not having it. Withdrawals are inevitable. Stims are a powerful thing. I have the same issue with caffeine. When I taper off and finally get off completely I never feel "as good" as while taking caffeine. I would slowly taper off and try and be strong and stay off for a good month or more. Really no easy option here. Good luck.

[mike33511]

Coming off stimulants is hard. You're going to feel tired and depressed. The drug was flooding your brain with so much norephinephrine that it stopped producing it on its own. That is why you feel the way that you do.

It will get better. Check my sig. I know some things about stimulant withdrawal. Your energy will return and your mood will improve. You just have to be strong and wait it out. Don't be tempted to start the ephedrine again. You'll just be putting yourself back in that hole again.

Sleep as much as you can. Eat well and take care of yourself. Use caffeine if you need to. It works off your adenosine receptors and shouldn't affect the ability of your norepinephrine receptors to recover.

[TMac26]

Sounds like if its that bad, you should see a doctor.


Coming off stims shouldn't cause you to become a complete and utter useless mass.

[Lewwwiss]

Mind over matter. Pull yourself together and get a grip. Sure you'll feel abit chitty but the more you think about it the worse it will be. Keep busy. Only yourself to blame, should cycle on and off and know the risks involved.

[rhadam]

I'll sum things up in 2 sentences.

1. You may have something chemically "off" in your brain aka an underlying issue.
2. It is literally all in your head and you need to man the fuk up and stop allowing yourself to be controlled by placebo.

[emergency]

I'll sum things up in 2 sentences.

1. You may have something chemically "off" in your brain aka an underlying issue.
2. It is literally all in your head and you need to man the fuk up and stop allowing yourself to be controlled by placebo.

Sounds like if its that bad, you should see a doctor.


Coming off stims shouldn't cause you to become a complete and utter useless mass.

both of these OP !

[XCriticalBenchX]

May have to do a slow taper off of it until you find that your body is not responding as negatively.

Agree with this.. slowly taper the ephedrine. You can even take the tabs, smash them into a fine powder, suspend it in maple syrup or something thick like glycerin.. and really taper the dose by just 1mg every few days.

[helloohelena]

Been taking it for 3 - 4 years on and off, mainly on because whenever I do stop for the 2 or 3 weeks I'm useless and give in

I tried posting a comment but I'm not sure it worked can you please contact me via email, if you're still active lol.. I saw your post about coming off ephedrine/depression (4 years ago😆) and really want to know if/HOW you coped. I'm in the same boat and not finding anything helpful online.

My email is hdmb9283@gmail.com

Thanks