Ephedra vs. Ephedrine

Jerseygirl · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:00 am Post subject: Ephedra vs. Ephedrine

Hello everyone! I'm looking for feedback regarding the difference /distinction between Ephedra and Ephedrine. Prior to the Ephedra ban I had great success (without any scary repercussions) using Stacker II with Ephedra in careful moderation. Since it is no longer possible to obtain that product, I recently tried something else called Bolt Ephedrine. I was told that it would be a great substitute product, but unfortunately the results were terribly disappointing. I experienced headaches that made me just want to lie my head down and rest, and my appetite was not suppressed at all. My understanding is that Ephedra is the herb Ma Huang, but I would be very grateful for information about the difference between the two E's. I want to try a product that would be the closest in formula to what worked for me before. I don't want to waste time and money on any new product unnecessarily and most of what I've seen online lists Ephedrine in the ingredients. I have been researching all of this online for months and I hope that some fellow Ephedra users will share what they know. Best wishes to all with their healthy weight goals!

rolyat · Posts: 37

I can't believe with all the research you haven't found the answer. You're right, some Ephedra comes from Ma Huang, an extract with ephedrine alkaloids. Bolt Ephedrine, which is Ephedrine Hydrochloride, is a synthetic pure ephedrine. It is made in labs. It is not sold for weight loss, but for people with athsma. It opens the bronchial tubes. This may be why it didn't work for you, but I'm surprised because I know a lot of people who have had weight loss success with it. You just have to experiment and see which works best with your body. One product may work wonders for one person, and does nothing for someone else. Hope this helps!

Jerseygirl · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

Thanks- I believe that you are absolutely correct about different products working for different individuals. I've read just about every post on this board and checked out all of the recommended online stores that have been mentioned here. I'm keeping a positive attitude that I'll find the right product and have the same success that I experienced with my old pills that worked perfectly for me but are no longer made.

rolyat · Posts: 37

what kind/brand of pills did you take before? there are many made now that have exactly the same ingredients as before the ban, under a different name.

Jerseygirl · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

I took Stacker II with Ephedra (usually 1 or 2 pills a day) for about a year and a half. Over that period of time I gradually but steadily lost 80 pounds. My goal weight was attained and maintained! Very Happy

Since the ban I've gained it all back Sad

I didn't hold onto any of the empty bottles so I do not have a reference to check about the specific active ingredients that were in those specific pills. From what I'm seeing online, I'm thinking that perhaps the "Lipodrene" product may be a close match (?). Rolyat, how are you doing with that? I saw your post about it and hope that you are still doing well- and btw, Vegas is a blast!

rolyat · Posts: 37

funny you ask... i have switched to the ephedrine HCL... lipodrene just wasn't working the way i had hoped. the pure ephedrine seems to be working wonders and it's so much cheaper. read my other thread (Trying Lipodrene) for more details. Regarding Vegas: I've heard! I can't wait! Very Happy

Cadence · Posts: 26

Jerseygirl · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:49 pm Post subject:

Hi there Cadence! I have been unable to read the board much (due to an unresolved internet connection nightmare), but I wanted to thank you for your reply before my pc gets knocked off the internet again! I feel very much like you do on the subject. I relate to your 'rant'. I sincerely feel badly for anyone who experienced illness or worse from the old ephedra products. However, I cannot hold back my anger at the hypocrisy of the situation every time I watch a smoker happily and freely enjoying a cigarette- or as I refer to them- legal cancer sticks.

As I am reading your information about the ingredients in our old (and effective) products, as opposed to those in this new batch of products, I am feeling less than enthusiastic about my chances of repeating my previous success. I suspect that the Ma Huang was key- for me, anyway. As I posted previously, I recently tried a product that touts "Ephedrine" as its wonderful component and I felt AWFUL from it. It did not do one positive thing for me, so if that is what all these new "Ephedra" products are all about, I'm screwed... and not in the good way! Laughing

Guest/Tink · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

Hi JerseyGirl and Candace - I was just reading your thread hoping maybe someone had an answer for the Ephedra vs. Ephedrine thing. JerseyGirl, I'm right in there with your "rant". I'm so frustrated trying to find something to work for me as well as Metabolife 356. The same as you, over about a 1 1/2 year period of time, I slowly lost 95 pounds and then maintained that weight for another 1 1/2 years until becoming pregnant. The ban went into effect just before having my baby. I gained 30 pregnancy pounds and 30 more in the 2 1/2 years since having my baby.

I've tried every OTC pill I could find. I tried 5-6 different Hoodia product over the internet. I got the asthma Ephedrine over the net as well and tried stacking it with OTC as I read on-line that may work. I tried ECA stacks which I also read about on the net, which is Ephedrine/Caffiene/Asprin stacks. Nothing has worked for me the way Ma Huang did.

On July 8, I started taking Lipoxinal. Again after searching for something new to try, as I agree that different bodies do well with different products, I came across Lipoxinal. On the Readers Health Digest site, the research showed Lipoxinal as having the highest appatite suppresent. That's my main problem. With everything I've tried since Ma Huang, within a few days, if not less, the effect didn't work anymore and I was always hungry.

So far, since July 8, I've lost 6 pounds. I still don't think Lipoxinal is working as well as Metabolife did. It makes me feel full, but I have to not until about 15 minutes after I've eaten. So, I have to portion control and then wait. With Metabolife, I felt full immediately, with just a small amount of food.

Anyway, I'm "ranting" too. I just wish the old products were back!!!!!

Jerseygirl · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:43 am Post subject:

Hi Tink! Welcome to my "bitch session"- lol! Seriously though, hearing that you had the same Ephedra experience that I had made me feel relieved. It is encouraging to know that another person besides myself completely understands where I'm coming from, and also has such a similar scenario and weight loss history. Aside from the fact that I am not a mom, your story sounds a lot like mine. I wish you every success with the product that you started at the beginning of this month! It sounds like you are off to a promising start and I hope that you keep us posted. If this product continues to be effective for your system/body metabolism, it may be the right one for me to take a chance on too. All the best to you! Very Happy

jod · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject: ephedra vs ephedrine

hi jersey girl i dont know much about any of these but i have tried loads of thing with little affect but i bought stacker 7 they also do 2 as well ive lost weight with thes stacker.co.uk Laughing

Cadence · Posts: 26

Hi JerseyGirl and All!

I've been on Lipodrene for 3 weeks now, and, aside from a mild euphoric effect, which I used to get from Hydroxycut or Metabolife 356, I only got the appetite suppression for the first two days or so. I'm at 115 now, so I lost a couple pounds.

For me, hunger suppression is not the main issue. I'm generally not too hungry, BUT, and this is a very BIG BUT (pardon the pun), Hydroxycut was a major thermogenic - "exercise in a bottle" and it really was, for me. I could sit at the computer for hours and feel like I had just taken a run. At night I was very tired. I know this is what was killing people, but they were ODing on it - I wasn't, and I am fine. Weight fell off of me!

This Lipodrene stuff doesn't do that at all! It is definitely not the same as the old products. I'm pissed off.

Lately on TV they've been advertising some new product called...I think, Lipozene (???) But, I think that, despite the ban being lifted, that these products are formulated differently now, and it is clear, from myself and from many of you, that they just do not work as well.

I feel your pain.

JerseyGirl, good luck with your net connection!

Jerseygirl · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Cadence. The phone company repair man just left and the problem seems to be fixed now- (fingers crossed). I can access the board again. So, I am curious about what weight loss you are looking to achieve. I think that you mentioned "vanity weight"- was that you? I'm just wondering if the fact that you are already under 120 pounds could be an indicator of why you may not be losing much more so quickly. To the best of my knowledge, weight loss tapers off significantly as a person gets to their ideal body weight. Personally speaking, I remember how much more difficult it was to get down to 105-110, as opposed to 115-120. Not only was it more difficult to get down that low, it was also impossible for me to stay down at that weight range. I'm sure that it can be achieved if you basically diet and work out for a living (for example, as an athlete or a fitness trainer etc.). I'm not so sure about the ability to maintain a very, very slim weight for a more ordinary lifestyle, though. Anyway, I hope that you get to the point where you feel great and I will be sending you positive thoughts!

Cadence · Posts: 26

Hi Jerseygirl,

You are absolutely right that weight loss does slow down. For me, when I get to 112, that is my plateau, meaning that to get under that I'd have to really cut back on food and totally exercise. That's why I have my goal weight listed at 112. Hydroxycut could get me there no prob, and within 6 weeks or even 4, b/c I am dealing with at most, 6 lbs. Then, to maintain that weight (b/c you are right - my body will stay at 115 or so, but any lower the weight sneaks back), I would take a 1-2 month regimen of Hydroxycut once per year. At the end I was only having to do it once every two years b/c my body was adapting. Then the ban went in Sad

I readily admit that I should exercise, but, I don't like to LOL! I hate working out alone and have no friends nearby. I have a visual disability and prefer going to the gym accompanied.

I guess the issue for me is that I was doing just fine, at a weight I was very happy with, and thanx to the ban, and return of what are IMO, inferior products, I am dealing with a few pounds I can't get rid of.

I know I sound like I am whining. There are others here who want to lose weight for legitimate health reasons and who must think I am complaining over nothing. But we all have our reasons for wanting to lose weight - whether a lot or a little - and to each of us those reasons are very important.

If I try anything new I will definitely report it here to you guys Smile

I realize we all react differently to different supplements, but I am happy to share my experiences and, maybe they will help someone Smile

Hey, I hope you stay all fixed now! I know phone and net problems can really be a pain Sad

~C~

Qiana · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject:

generalnutritiondirect.stores.yahoo.net/xenrfa1bycyt.html

hey jersey, this site claims to have the old ephedra products that we are used to. i saw the stackers on there as well when i was looking for xenadrine. i am skeptical about it cause i have not seen xenadrine for that cheap and wondering if anyone else thinks these are legit pills,

thanks