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Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant, concentration aid, decongestant, appetite suppressant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia.
'''Ephedrine''' is a naturally occuring central nervous system [[stimulant]] obtained from the plant Ephedra equisetina. Commonly used as a [[stimulant]], concentration aid, decongestant, [[appetite suppressant]], and to treat [[hypotension]] associated with anaesthesia.
Ephedrine is similar in molecular structure to the well-known drugs phenylpropanolamine and methamphetamine, as well as to the important neurotransmitter epinephrine (adrenaline). It is a substituted amphetamine.
Ephedrine is closely related in structure to [[methamphetamine]], although its CNS actions are much less potent and also longer-acting than those of the [[amphetamines]]. Its peripheral [[stimulant]] actions are similar to but less powerful than those of [[epinephrine]] (adrenaline), a [[hormone]] produced in the body by the adrenal glands.
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==History and culture==
==History and culture==
{{historyStub}}
{{historyStub}}
Ephedrine in its natural form, known as má huáng in traditional Chinese medicine, has been documented in China since the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) as an antiasthmatic and [[stimulant]]. In 1885, the chemical synthesis of ephedrine was first accomplished by Japanese organic chemist Nagai Nagayoshi based on his research on traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal medicines. The industrial manufacture of ephedrine in China began in the 1920s, when Merck began marketing and selling the drug as ephetonin. Ephedrine exports from China to the West grew from 4 to 216 tonnes between 1926 and 1928.
In traditional Chinese medicine, má huáng has been used as a treatment for asthma and bronchitis for centuries.
==Chemistry==
==Chemistry==
{{chemistry}}
{{chemistry}}
Ephedrine is a [[substituted amphetamine]] and a structural [[methamphetamine]] analogue. It differs from [[methamphetamine]] only by the presence of a hydroxyl group (—OH).
==Pharmacology==
==Pharmacology==
{{pharmacology}}
{{pharmacology}}
Ephedrine primary mechanism of action is through increasing catecholamine activity at alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. It also acts as a NDRA ([[norepinephrine]]-[[dopamine]] releasing agent).
Ephedrine primary mechanism of action is through increasing catecholamine activity at alpha and beta [[adrenergic]] [[receptor]]s.<ref>Ephedra in perspective – a current review. | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ptr.1337</ref> It also acts as a NDRA (norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent).<ref>Dopamine-mediated actions of ephedrine in the rat substantia nigra. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16386715</ref>
==Subjective effects==
==Subjective effects==
{{EffectStub}}
{{EffectStub}}
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}
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*'''[[Effect::Ego inflation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Ego inflation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Time distortion|Time compression]]''' - This effect is more intense with ephedrine than with most other stimulants
*'''[[Effect::Time distortion|Time compression]]''' - This effect is more intense with ephedrine than with most other stimulants
}}
}}
}}
{{effects/auditory|
If applicable, a brief paragraph summary of the substance's auditory effects may be included here.
You may select from a list of auditory effects to add below [[Subjective effect index#Auditory effects|here]].
*'''[[Effect::Auditory effect1]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Auditory effect2]]'''
}}
{{effects/multisensory|
If applicable, a brief paragraph summary of the substance's multisensory effects may be included here.
You may select from a list of multisensory effects to add below [[Subjective effect index#Multisensory effects|here]].
*'''[[Effect::Multisensory effect1]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Multisensory effect2]]'''
===Experience reports===
===Experience reports===
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{{toxicity}}
{{toxicity}}
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
===Lethal dosage===
===Lethal dosage===
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
Ephedrine has a similar addiction potential to other common stimulants such as [[amphetamine|dextroamphetamine]]
As with other [[stimulant]]s, the chronic use of ephedrine can be considered moderately addictive and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.
Tolerance to the effects of ephedrine are quickly built after repeated and frequent usage. Ephedrinepresents cross-tolerance with other [[dopaminergic]] [[stimulants]], meaning that after the consumption of ephedrine, most other [[stimulant]] compounds will have a reduced effect.
===Dangerous interactions===
===Dangerous interactions===
{{DangerousInteractions}}
{{DangerousInteractions}}
Revision as of 20:57, 8 May 2019
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It may contain incorrect information, particularly with respect to dosage, duration, subjective effects, toxicity and other risks. It may also not meet PW style and grammar standards.
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Ephedrine is a naturally occuring central nervous system stimulant obtained from the plant Ephedra equisetina. Commonly used as a stimulant, concentration aid, decongestant, appetite suppressant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia.
Ephedrine is closely related in structure to methamphetamine, although its CNS actions are much less potent and also longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Its peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powerful than those of epinephrine (adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
Ephedrine in its natural form, known as má huáng in traditional Chinese medicine, has been documented in China since the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) as an antiasthmatic and stimulant. In 1885, the chemical synthesis of ephedrine was first accomplished by Japanese organic chemist Nagai Nagayoshi based on his research on traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal medicines. The industrial manufacture of ephedrine in China began in the 1920s, when Merck began marketing and selling the drug as ephetonin. Ephedrine exports from China to the West grew from 4 to 216 tonnes between 1926 and 1928.
In traditional Chinese medicine, má huáng has been used as a treatment for asthma and bronchitis for centuries.
Ephedrine primary mechanism of action is through increasing catecholamine activity at alpha and beta adrenergicreceptors.[1] It also acts as a NDRA (norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent).[2]
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
Physical effects
If applicable, a brief paragraph summary of the substance's physical effects may be included here.
You may select physical effects to add below here.
If applicable, a brief paragraph summary of the substance's cognitive effects may be included here.
You may select from a list of cognitive effects to add below here.
Time compression - This effect is more intense with ephedrine than with most other stimulants
Experience reports
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:
This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information! You can help by expanding upon or correcting it. Note: Always conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices if using this substance.
As with other stimulants, the chronic use of ephedrine can be considered moderately addictive and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.
Tolerance to the effects of ephedrine are quickly built after repeated and frequent usage. Ephedrinepresents cross-tolerance with other dopaminergicstimulants, meaning that after the consumption of ephedrine, most other stimulant compounds will have a reduced effect.
Warning:Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).
Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.
-Ephedrine.svg)
