ECA Stack

[The Magus]

A buddy of mine suggested I look into an ECA stack (ephedrine and caffeine). I know a few years ago that ephedrine got a bit of a bad rap, but I was wondering where things stand now. I've got my diet and training in line, but want to lose my fat fairly quickly so that I can start working on building back up with lean muscle.

Thoughts? Pros and cons? Warnings? Advice?

[Bigm999]

Unlikely - raw Ephedrine (EHC) has been difficult to source for years. It's too easy to convert into meth.

[brutus]

I do not know the laws in Canada. In the US however, ephedra (the herb) is legal out side of California & New York State. Ephedrine (the extract) is federally banned. Several companies make good ECA stacks: Hi-Tech's Stimmerex & Cloma Pharma's Methadrene ECA/Elite come to mind. It depends on the local laws of your country & province. ECA stands for ephedra, caffeine, aspirin. Most use white willow bark for the aspirin.

[The Magus]

I thought it might have been banned, too, but my friend just started his own stack, so I guess it's still legal here in Ontario. Availability isn't an issue.

[Bigm999]

Ephedra was banned by the FDA in 2004 (upheld in 2006). The Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal in 2007. It is not legal anywhere in the US. You'll have to source it internationally.

[The Magus]

I'm in Canada. I don't think the FDA has jurisdiction here (though it's true that we often follow our neighbours to the south).

Besides, I think it's ephedRINE that people use now, not ephedRA. I don't know what the difference is, but I think there is one.

[BigLittleTim]

Ephedrine can be purchased, legally, in Canada. It was considered safe and was quite common in many bodybuilding and energy drinks back before it was banned about ten years ago. It works, giving you a temporary "wake up", energy, am
nd generally elevating your internal temperature and body fat burning. The common stack of Ephedrine, Caffeine, and Asprin is useful just before your workout.

Ephedrine was banned after the U.S. Congress got a fire lit under their asses when an out-of-shape baseball rookie died during Spring Training in Florida; after training all day in 105 degree heat, no hydration, diuretics, with a bum heart and overweight. Of course, the Press blamed the Ephedrine.

BIG TIM

[The Magus]

Hey Tim, thanks for the response...do you have any experience with it yourself?

I know that it's supposed to be cycled, and I've heard that a good starting point is 100mg of caffeine for 10mg of ephedrine...does that sound about right?