What is the difference between Ephedrine and Ephedra?

Ephedrine is phenethylamine, an active compound available in a plant species Ephedra sinica. It is poisonous, so its consumption results in harm to the human body. It contributes to weight loss. Overtime use is very dangerous because its side effect is life-threatening. Ephedrine is a fine white, crystalline substance that is soluble in water. Because of this, it is easily consumed.

It is banned by many sports organizations because it increases norepinephrine levels, which affects general physical response, while Ephedra is the medical preparation of plants from their species Ephedra sinica, typically for consumption. It consists of the active compound ephedrine, alongside pseudoephedrine, and some other stimulants, including caffeine. It is very dangerous to human health due to that; it is banned in the United States. Ephedra is used for the same purpose as ephedrine because it contains ephedrine, but it is said to be more effective because it is combined with other stimulants.

Both of these drugs mimic adrenaline. They are different in terms of chemical formation, and this is why they are used to assist in weight loss, even though research and testimonies say that the side effects make it unsafe. They raise blood pressure and heart rate, and they may also cause extreme anxiety. They are not good brain stimulants; however, they are used to make methamphetamines.

Ephedrine is also used to counteract the effects of anesthesia. It can also be used to open up nasal passages, and it alleviates runny noses and colds. For the most part, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine have replaced ephedrine in most cold medicines. Ephedra is the cleanest form of the herb, and this means that it doesn’t take much for it to work on someone. Ephedrine is an alkaloid of ephedra plants.