Epinephrine and Ephedra?

Question

Don't people take ephedra for energy? If so, why is the most common side effect for epinephrine fatigue? Is it because epinephrine is a non-selective adrenergic agonist? Can someone explain how epinephrine works? Thanks

Answer 1

Epinephrine plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction—the physiological response to threatening, exciting, or environmental stressor conditions . It is secreted by the adrenal medulla. When released into the bloodstream, epinephrine binds to multiple receptors and has numerous effects throughout the body. It increases heart rate and stroke volume, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing catalysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Like some other stress hormones, epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system. Epinephrine is an endocrine secretion from adrenal medulla and there is no feedback mechanism. More epinephrine or ephedra releases more glycogen from muscles,and liver virtually rendering the individual "temporarily" diabetic. This causes more urination,loss of electrolytes. This causes weakness.

Answer 2

It was typically used for asthma..but because of the blood flow increase and weight loss..it became abused by some to give that extra boost..which resulted in some deaths.
Drug makers used it to make meth.
And because of that....people like me who take over the counter drugs for asthma have been ignored of our need for the sake of safety...and most of the drugs have been banned...which makes those that have no insurance to suffer.
But to answer your question...yes they did...it's a banned substance in most professional sports....the fatigue is caused by the heart rate being increased by the drug....it can be fatal if taken too much.