Ephedra, Ma Huang => Why do people use Ephedra
Why do people use Ephedra
Roughly speaking people use Ephedra for the following purposes:
- Ephedra is being used (and has been used for ages) for medical purposes
- Ephedra is being used as a fat burner and appetite suppressor
- Ephedra is being used as a stimulant and mood enhancer and stimulant for recreational purposes.
Ephedra as a medicine
Ephedrine is used in may anti-cold medicines. Ephedra has been used extensively for the treatment of asthma, and also as a natural decongestant and antihistamine. Ephedra has become a very popular ingredient in herbal combinations for allergies and hay fever. See also
Medicinal Value of Ephedra Ma Huang.
Ephedra as a fat burner and appetite suppressor
From the Ephedra Educational Council web site:
- "More than 15 million consumers a year benefit from Ephedra, with only a minute fraction reporting problems to the FDA. Any risk of inappropriate use must be balanced against the health benefits accruing to millions of Americans. The nation's obesity epidemic creates a personal and public imperative for weight control, and 98 million Americans must not be denied an option for improving their health without conclusive scientific evidence."
Ephedra as a recreational drug
It is well known fact that thousands of people use ephedra for kicks. Lots of web sites sold ephedra-based products as 'herbal XTC' or 'herbal speed'. Recently the FDA has sent warning letters to these web sites and forced them to remove all associations of ephedra-based products with illegal street drugs. It has to be seen of these measures reduce the use of Ephedra for recreational purposes. See also
EEC on Herbal XTC.
Why do people use Ephedra as recreational drug?
Probably beacuse of the stimulating properties. Ephedra allows to go on dancing at parties without getting tired. Ephedra keeps you awake. Ephedra may even give a sense of well being.
Why is it illegal to use / promote Ephedra as an euphorix?
Probably this is a case of the usual notorious USA hypocritical pharmaceutical calvinism . When you are really big, it is OK to take ephedra to loose weight. If you want to have a good party, taking Ephedra makes you a criminal.
When a company claims that Ephedra helps you to loose weight, the company is praised a nation saver. When another company says ephedra will keep you awake and gives a spacey buzz not unlike some other recreational drugs, the FDA send nasty letters and threatens to close the shop.
When providers are clear and clean about benefits, drawbacks and risks, why aren't people allowed to make their own choices regarding what to take for what purpose?
by diphreda