Ephedrine is an alkaloid that is found in the Ephedra sinica plant. Ephedrine is a stimulant of the central nervous system and can activate the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine is of interest nutritionally because it also has thermogenic effects in humans, and this means it has fat loss properties. The thermogenic effects of ephedrine have shown that it can increase energy expenditure in humans because it stimulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline which can then activate adrenergic receptors. Ephedrine and the concomitantly released adrenaline can stimulate the cardiovascular system through the α-1, α-2, and β-1 adrenergic receptors. However, thermogenic effects from ephedrine likely stem from its ability to stimulate the β-3, β-1and β-2 adrenergic receptors in brown and white adipose tissue, and the downstream effect of this is to cause an increase in cellular liposisis. Ephedrine may also decrease the activity of the monoamine oxidase enzyme system that can potentiate the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the brain providing a more prolonged rise in brain levels of catecholamines.
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