Ephedrine is chemically an alkaloid and has a stimulant effect on the organism. It is used as a drug for respiratory diseases, low blood pressure and, to a lesser extent, narcolepsy (sleeping sickness). Unfortunately, the stimulant properties of ephedrine also tempt its abuse as a party drug.
What is ephedrine?
Ephedrine is used as a medication for respiratory diseases, such as asthma. Ephedrine is extracted from plants of the genus Ephedra. Well-known is, for example, the sea grape, which is enjoyed as Mormon tea or Ma-Huang. Ephedrine is a so-called alkaloid. Although alkaloids are not a uniform class of substances, they do have some common properties. All alkaloids are products of the secondary metabolism of plants, fungi, and also animals. They are nitrogenous and exert a characteristic influence on the animal or human body. Mostly they are toxic and taste bitter. Ephedrine acts as an indirect sympathomimetic on the sympathetic nervous system and on this basis develops its characteristic stimulating properties, which can have both positive and negative effects on the organism.
Pharmacological action
The influence of ephedrine is based on the fact that in the sympathetic nervous system it causes the increased release of norepinephrine from the presynaptic nerve endings with simultaneous inhibition of its reuptake into the synapses. Thus, the concentration of norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft increases. This means that ephedrine indirectly increases the effect of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone that normally provides short-term energy during an emergency situation. In this case, fat burning is boosted and the breakdown of muscle protein is stopped. At the same time, of course, in this situation, the increased demand for oxygen must be secured by dilating the bronchial tubes, stimulating the heart rate and increasing blood pressure. Other physical functions interfering with this emergency situation, such as food intake or digestive activities, are restricted. Once the emergency situation is over, these bodily reactions are also no longer necessary and are usually terminated immediately. The norepinephrine level in the synaptic cleft drops and the body calms down. However, ephedrine elicits these reactions even in the absence of an emergency situation by increasing norepinephrine concentrations. These reactions do not subside until ephedrine is also depleted. Thus, ephedrine initiates physical reactions that are not at all necessary in the situation in question, but can nevertheless have positive as well as negative effects on the body.
Medical application and use
The positive effects of ephedrine on the body are also reflected in its range of applications. Ephedrine is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. There used to be an over-the-counter preparation on the market. However, this was discontinued due to the risk of abuse as a party drug. Furthermore, ephedrine is used in nasal sprays to decongest the nasal mucous membranes in the case of the common cold. Another field of application is the treatment of low blood pressure. Ephedrine is used especially for hypertension after peridural anesthesia. Due to the increase in basal metabolic rate, ephedrine is also used to combat obesity. The higher energy requirement of the organism boosts fat burning. The anabolic effect in terms of increased protein build-up also increases the energy requirement. The stronger energy supply also has positive effects in the treatment of narcolepsy, the sleeping sickness. Today, however, the use of ephedrine is limited to specific applications because the risk-benefit ratio is unfavorable.
Risks and side effects
However, too frequent or uncontrolled use of ephedrine can lead to negative physical consequences. As mentioned above, ephedrine causes an increase in the concentration of norepinephrine, a stress hormone for short-term exceptional situations. This leads to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, but also to increased performance in sports. Thus, ephedrine is also used as a doping agent in sports. In the long term, the use of ephedrine can then lead to cardiovascular diseases. Since ephedrine has a euphoric effect, it is often used as a party drug with all its negative effects. Used in the long term, there is a risk of developing chronic diseases and drug addiction.If ephedrine is used in high concentrations, restlessness, anxiety, delirium, hallucinations and tremor may occur under certain circumstances. Typical symptoms also include headaches, convulsions, and nausea. Prolonged use in high concentrations can lead to drug addiction, as with other drugs.
