First used to treat asthma nearly 2000 years ago, ephedrine is classified as a sympathomimetic agent because it mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine works primarily through the release of excitatory chemicals called catecholamines. These catecholamines, which include adrenaline, act on cellular receptors found in numerous body tissues and are responsible for stimulating lipolysis (fat burning), increasing heart rate, dilating bronchioles, decreasing appetite, and increasing alertness. Ephedrine can also cause tremors, nervousness, irritability, cardiac arrhythmias and dangerous rises in blood pressure in susceptible individuals.It should not be used by individuals suffering from hypertension or anxiety disorders, pregnant or lactating women, or those under 16 years of age. Read full article.