== ECA Stack == The ECA stack is a popular drug combination for use as an energy booster and in weight loss. ECA is an acronym for ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. == Mechanism of Effect in Weight Loss == The effects of the ECA stack in weight loss are primarily due to the ephedrine component. Ephedrine acts as a beta agonist and stimulates the release of noradrenaline. The noradrenaline in the body then acts on brown adapose tissue by increasing cAMP levels, which is said to be a thermogenic effect, raising body temperature by about 2 degrees and increasing the user's metabolism by 10% in conjunction with the rest of the stack. However, the body's negative feedback system then activates to normalize the metabolism. This is done via the production of phosphodiesterase inside the cells, and prostaglandins outside the cell, which both lower cAMP levels within the cell. Caffeine inhibits the production of phosphodiesterase inside the cell and therefore slows the cAMP breakdown. It also, in binding with adenosine receptors in the brain, triggers the release of adrenaline which increases cAMP levels further. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin production outside of the cells, which, in conjunction with caffeine, greatly prolongs the thermogenic effects and increased metabolism by substaining elevated cAMP levels. Ephedrine also has an anorectic, or appetite suppressant effect. The mechanisms behind this are not fully understood, but this aids in weight loss as well. However, these effects only last for about two weeks if the stack is not cycled as the body becomes tolerant to ephedrine to some degree. It is estimated that 60%–75% of the weight loss from using the ECA stack comes from the anorectic effect, and the remainder from thermogenesis. The final component in weight loss of the ECA stack is that of a simple stimulant; the higher adrenaline and noradrenaline levels result in increased aerobic exercise performance and less fatigue. == Mechanisms of Effect in Energy Gain == Ephedrine acts to increase energy by its actions as a sympathomimetic amine. It directly acts to increase noradrenaline levels in the brain by displacing it from the synapic cleft, and also partially serves as a noradrenaline reputake inhibitor thereby also partially functioning as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor due to the shared action between the two terminals. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors which lessens feelings of tiredness, and also increases dopamine levels, resulting in greater concentration, focus, and memory. The effects of caffeine on dopamine levels are usually short lived, but ephedrine's partial action as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor lengthens the duration. == Dosage == Typically the ECA stack is consumed two or three times per day in a 1:10:10 or 1:10:15 ratio of ephedrine:caffeine:aspirin. These ratios vary across studies and across users but despite variance they all seem to be effective. Usually, no more than 25 mg of ephedrine or 200 mg of caffeine is consumed in a single dose. It is not recommended that the stack be taken past late afternoon as this contributes to insomnia. == Addiction == While ephedrine and aspirin are not physically addictive, caffeine is, and users develop a tolerance to lowered adenosine levels, leading to withdrawal symptoms from adenosine sensitivity if caffeine use is discontinued too quickly. Psychological addiction to ephedrine and caffeine are also possible. == Risks == The primary risk of the ECA stack is in the effects of ephedrine on a pre-existing heart condition. Ephedrine has been linked to deaths in people with valve damage, cardiac hypertrophy, and other heart problems and heart disease. It is not recommended that stimulants be taken in users with a pre-existing heart condition. Additionally, there is some evidence that the long term use of amphetamines can lead to heart damage, but this has not been shown for ephedrine use. Caffeine and ephedrine also act to raise blood pressure by approximately 4–7 mmHg on average, so users with existing hypertension must be careful that the stack does not increase their blood pressure to dangerous levels—especially during exercise. The presence of aspirin in the stack thins the blood and counteracts this partially, however. Other risks include insomnia, dry mouth, irritability, stress, euphoria, headache, dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, interaction with MAO inhibitors, trembling hands, increased need for water and potassium, and psychosis resulting from the long-term use of ephedrine. == Controversy and Legality == Due to deaths linked to ephedrine many countries have taken steps to outlaw or control ephedrine. In the US, it is still legal to purchase as a bronchial decongestant with an exporant, but cannot be purchased in pure form or in a pre-existing stack. If ephedrine cannot be obtained, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine's optical isomer, can be substituted in. Contarary to popular belief studies have shown pseudoephedrine to have a thermogenic effect; approximately three times less than L-ephedrine. Therefore, three Sudafed tablets, or 90 mg pseudoephedrine should provide approximately the same thermogenic effect as 25 mg ephedrine, but the overall effects of a pseudoephedrine based stack compared to an ephedrine based stack have not been studied (it is unlikely that PSE would produce an anoretic effect due to the low CNS activity, which is responsible for ~75% of the ECA stack's weight loss). Unfortunately, due to the misuse of pseudoephedrine in the production of methamphetamine, many countries are banning or restricting pseudoephedrine sales as well, despite its safety record. As of 4/14/2005, U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell struck down the FDA's ban of ephedrine in the US, which may pave the way for its reintroduction as a weight loss supplement in the US. Many people have felt that ephedrine is not worth the risks, and have tried "ephedrine free" stack formulas. However, there is no proof that any of these formulations are actually effective, whereas a great deal of evidence exists to support the effectiveness of the ECA stack. == References == [http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=uclabiolchem/nutritionbytes Mechanism, Efficacy, and Safety of Ephedrine, Caffeine, and Aspirin] [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=155439 Ephedra and Its Application to Sport Performance] [http://ardb.bjmu.edu.cn/ligand/storage_release.htm Catecholamine Receptors] [http://www.biopsychiatry.com/noradrenaline-dopamine.htm Dopamine Reuptake by Noradrenaline Terminals] [http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/ephedra/02chap1.pdf Ephedra Evidence Report] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2000046 Thermogenic Synergism Between Ephedrine and Caffeine] [http://www.facmed.unam.mx/pibc/segundo/guias/referencias/3092818.pdf Medicinal Strategies in the Treatment of Obesity] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10449190&dopt=Abstract Direct Effects of Ephedrine Isomers on Human Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Subtypes] [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/04/15/national/a013653D58.DTL Judge strikes down FDA ban on ephedra]
ECA stack is the best! I do it every summer, but without the aspirin. ''bigboy'' ---- ''Ephedrine acts to increase energy by its actions as a symptomimetic amine. It increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the brain, and also serves as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.'' Is ephedrine really a dopamine reuptake inhibitor? I've been unable to find any sources that confirm this. -- Yes, AFAIK, all phenethylamines are due to the related uptake action for dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. As ephedrine binds at noradrenaline receptors that also transport dopamine, the effect is less than cocaine or amphetamine, but still seems to be present. I've included two references that should help clarify this. ---- Ok, answered my own questions here. The thermogenic effect is ultimately due to the action of the noradrenaline, rather than any direct effect of the ephedrine on beta-3 receptors, as l-ephedrine, the kind sold OTC, has little beta-3 agonist activity. I emailled Dr. Wellman, author of the study comparing various stimulants' thermogenic properties in human BAT. Unfortunately, while this study is not fully available online (just the abstract), he told me the results were that d-pseudoephedrine had three times less thermogenic activity as l-ephedrine.
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Words begining with ECA_stack:
ECA_stack
ECA_stack
ECA stack
== ECA Stack == The ECA stack is a popular drug combination for use as an energy booster and in weight loss. ECA is an acronym for ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. == Mechanism of Effect in Weight Loss == The effects of the ECA stack in weight loss are primarily due to the ephedrine component. Ephedrine acts as a beta agonist and stimulates the release of noradrenaline. The noradrenaline in the body then acts on brown adapose tissue by increasing cAMP levels, which is said to be a thermogenic effect, raising body temperature by about 2 degrees and increasing the user's metabolism by 10% in conjunction with the rest of the stack. However, the body's negative feedback system then activates to normalize the metabolism. This is done via the production of phosphodiesterase inside the cells, and prostaglandins outside the cell, which both lower cAMP levels within the cell. Caffeine inhibits the production of phosphodiesterase inside the cell and therefore slows the cAMP breakdown. It also, in binding with adenosine receptors in the brain, triggers the release of adrenaline which increases cAMP levels further. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin production outside of the cells, which, in conjunction with caffeine, greatly prolongs the thermogenic effects and increased metabolism by substaining elevated cAMP levels. Ephedrine also has an anorectic, or appetite suppressant effect. The mechanisms behind this are not fully understood, but this aids in weight loss as well. However, these effects only last for about two weeks if the stack is not cycled as the body becomes tolerant to ephedrine to some degree. It is estimated that 60%–75% of the weight loss from using the ECA stack comes from the anorectic effect, and the remainder from thermogenesis. The final component in weight loss of the ECA stack is that of a simple stimulant; the higher adrenaline and noradrenaline levels result in increased aerobic exercise performance and less fatigue. == Mechanisms of Effect in Energy Gain == Ephedrine acts to increase energy by its actions as a sympathomimetic amine. It directly acts to increase noradrenaline levels in the brain by displacing it from the synapic cleft, and also partially serves as a noradrenaline reputake inhibitor thereby also partially functioning as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor due to the shared action between the two terminals. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors which lessens feelings of tiredness, and also increases dopamine levels, resulting in greater concentration, focus, and memory. The effects of caffeine on dopamine levels are usually short lived, but ephedrine's partial action as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor lengthens the duration. == Dosage == Typically the ECA stack is consumed two or three times per day in a 1:10:10 or 1:10:15 ratio of ephedrine:caffeine:aspirin. These ratios vary across studies and across users but despite variance they all seem to be effective. Usually, no more than 25 mg of ephedrine or 200 mg of caffeine is consumed in a single dose. It is not recommended that the stack be taken past late afternoon as this contributes to insomnia. == Addiction == While ephedrine and aspirin are not physically addictive, caffeine is, and users develop a tolerance to lowered adenosine levels, leading to withdrawal symptoms from adenosine sensitivity if caffeine use is discontinued too quickly. Psychological addiction to ephedrine and caffeine are also possible. == Risks == The primary risk of the ECA stack is in the effects of ephedrine on a pre-existing heart condition. Ephedrine has been linked to deaths in people with valve damage, cardiac hypertrophy, and other heart problems and heart disease. It is not recommended that stimulants be taken in users with a pre-existing heart condition. Additionally, there is some evidence that the long term use of amphetamines can lead to heart damage, but this has not been shown for ephedrine use. Caffeine and ephedrine also act to raise blood pressure by approximately 4–7 mmHg on average, so users with existing hypertension must be careful that the stack does not increase their blood pressure to dangerous levels—especially during exercise. The presence of aspirin in the stack thins the blood and counteracts this partially, however. Other risks include insomnia, dry mouth, irritability, stress, euphoria, headache, dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, interaction with MAO inhibitors, trembling hands, increased need for water and potassium, and psychosis resulting from the long-term use of ephedrine. == Controversy and Legality == Due to deaths linked to ephedrine many countries have taken steps to outlaw or control ephedrine. In the US, it is still legal to purchase as a bronchial decongestant with an exporant, but cannot be purchased in pure form or in a pre-existing stack. If ephedrine cannot be obtained, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine's optical isomer, can be substituted in. Contarary to popular belief studies have shown pseudoephedrine to have a thermogenic effect; approximately three times less than L-ephedrine. Therefore, three Sudafed tablets, or 90 mg pseudoephedrine should provide approximately the same thermogenic effect as 25 mg ephedrine, but the overall effects of a pseudoephedrine based stack compared to an ephedrine based stack have not been studied (it is unlikely that PSE would produce an anoretic effect due to the low CNS activity, which is responsible for ~75% of the ECA stack's weight loss). Unfortunately, due to the misuse of pseudoephedrine in the production of methamphetamine, many countries are banning or restricting pseudoephedrine sales as well, despite its safety record. As of 4/14/2005, U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell struck down the FDA's ban of ephedrine in the US, which may pave the way for its reintroduction as a weight loss supplement in the US. Many people have felt that ephedrine is not worth the risks, and have tried "ephedrine free" stack formulas. However, there is no proof that any of these formulations are actually effective, whereas a great deal of evidence exists to support the effectiveness of the ECA stack. == References == [http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=uclabiolchem/nutritionbytes Mechanism, Efficacy, and Safety of Ephedrine, Caffeine, and Aspirin] [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=155439 Ephedra and Its Application to Sport Performance] [http://ardb.bjmu.edu.cn/ligand/storage_release.htm Catecholamine Receptors] [http://www.biopsychiatry.com/noradrenaline-dopamine.htm Dopamine Reuptake by Noradrenaline Terminals] [http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/ephedra/02chap1.pdf Ephedra Evidence Report] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2000046 Thermogenic Synergism Between Ephedrine and Caffeine] [http://www.facmed.unam.mx/pibc/segundo/guias/referencias/3092818.pdf Medicinal Strategies in the Treatment of Obesity] [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10449190&dopt=Abstract Direct Effects of Ephedrine Isomers on Human Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Subtypes] [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/04/15/national/a013653D58.DTL Judge strikes down FDA ban on ephedra]
ECA stack
ECA stack is the best! I do it every summer, but without the aspirin. ''bigboy'' ---- ''Ephedrine acts to increase energy by its actions as a symptomimetic amine. It increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the brain, and also serves as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.'' Is ephedrine really a dopamine reuptake inhibitor? I've been unable to find any sources that confirm this. -- Yes, AFAIK, all phenethylamines are due to the related uptake action for dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. As ephedrine binds at noradrenaline receptors that also transport dopamine, the effect is less than cocaine or amphetamine, but still seems to be present. I've included two references that should help clarify this. ---- Ok, answered my own questions here. The thermogenic effect is ultimately due to the action of the noradrenaline, rather than any direct effect of the ephedrine on beta-3 receptors, as l-ephedrine, the kind sold OTC, has little beta-3 agonist activity. I emailled Dr. Wellman, author of the study comparing various stimulants' thermogenic properties in human BAT. Unfortunately, while this study is not fully available online (just the abstract), he told me the results were that d-pseudoephedrine had three times less thermogenic activity as l-ephedrine.
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