knb comments on Coffee: When it helps, when it hurts - Less Wrong

43 Post author: JustinShovelain 10 March 2010 06:14AM

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Comment author: knb 11 March 2010 06:31:26AM *  3 points [-]

Yep, good point. I am aware that ephedrine causes heart problems in some people. I really should have mentioned that. However those outcomes are very rare, ephedrine has been consumed for centuries (as ephedra tea) with a good safety record. I wouldn't ever take more than 25 mg of ephedrine, especially if you take it with caffeine.

However, ephedrine is very commonly used by bodybuilders (I was actually turned onto ephedrine by bodybuilders at my gym) who want to cut weight, and other athletes. Dangerous outcomes usually happen in people who take ephedrine before vigorous exercise. Ephedrine before exercise is extremely common, but I wouldn't recommend it for most people.

Comment author: Kevin 11 March 2010 08:04:06AM 1 point [-]

Do you have reason for ignoring the general medical wisdom that methylphendidate and amphetamine are safer and more effective strong stimulants than ephedrine?

Based on your comparison of test taking to a battle of attrition, I don't think you'd have any problem getting a diagnosis of ADHD-PI. Have you already tried methylphenidate and amphetamine and concluded they are less effective for you than caffeine+ephedra?

Comment author: MichaelVassar 11 March 2010 07:25:18PM 1 point [-]

Well, we do have good data on the value of general medical wisdom in this community, no?