Ephedrine Cycle

Ephedrine, as previously touched upon, is a compound that holds very limited use. This is because it is essentially restricted to the role of a fat loss agent. Various athletes involved in speed and strength sports (notably, power lifters) have been known to run Ephedrine cycles as a pre-workout or pre-event/competition stimulant in order to gain a temporary boost in small but notable strength gains, including its ability to increase energy. The result is often a temporary increase in performance and the total weight lifted in major exercises and events. It is important to note, however, that athletes who utilize Ephedrine in such a manner are not frequently conducting full Ephedrine cycles, but are instead using it on an infrequent basis (2 – 3 times weekly prior to workouts at 25 – 50mg). Due to the stimulant nature of Ephedrine and its close relation to amphetamines, Ephedrine is notable for its ability to provide a mental edge which also adds to increased performance resulting from concentration and cognitive increases.

Ephedrine cycles should be conducted for periods of no longer than 2 – 4 weeks at a time, especially when utilized continuously which is what is normally done (and should be done) when Ephedrine is utilized for the purpose of fat loss. This is because of the ability for Ephedrine to down regulate the alpha and beta receptors it works to act upon in order to exert its stimulant and fat loss effects. Although an individual could utilize a drug such as Ketotifen to up regulate beta-2 receptors[1], it should be noted that the use of such a compound will do nothing to up regulate alpha receptors or any other beta receptor types aside from the beta-2 receptors. This is why Ketotifen is commonly used only with selective beta-2 agonist compounds such as Clenbuterol, which specifically and exclusively target beta-2 receptors (as the name implies). Remember that Ephedrine is an alpha and beta receptor agonist. Therefore, Ephedrine cycles should be halted after approximately 4 weeks followed by an equal amount of time off of the drug so as to ensure thorough up regulation of receptors before resuming any Ephedrine cycles.

Ephedrine rarely finds its place in bulking or lean mass cycles with the exception of its use as a pre-workout stimulant, as previously described. Otherwise, Ephedrine cycles are best suited for fat loss, cutting cycles, and generally periods of leaning out. Ephedrine can easily be combined with anabolic steroids or other non-stimulant based fat burning compounds, such as T3 (thyroid hormone) or Human Growth Hormone (HGH). It is imperative that Ephedrine not be combined with regular use of fat loss doses of Clenbuterol, Albuterol, or any other stimulants aside from caffeine due to the compounding effect of these stimulants on the body. Negative cardiovascular effects as well as excessive stress on the CNS (Central Nervous System) can result and this should be avoided at all costs.

Examples of an Ephedrine Cycle

Sample Ephedrine Cycle #1 (12 weeks total cycle time)
Weeks 1-12:
– Testosterone Cypionate at 300mg/week
– Trenbolone Enanthate at 400mg/week
Weeks 1-4 and 8-12:
– Ephedrine at 90mg/day (peak dose)
– Caffeine at 600mg/day (200mg taken with each Ephedrine dose)

This Ephedrine cycle is an example of basic implementation of Ephedrine over the course of a longer cycle length (12 weeks). Testosterone and Trenbolone are the anabolic steroids of choice in this cycle (both the longer estered variants of both), where Trenbolone is very notable for its strong nutrient partitioning effects. This would allow further fat loss on such a cycle.

Sample Ephedrine cycle #2 (8 weeks total cycle time)

Weeks 1-8:
– Testosterone Propionate at 100mg/week (25mg every other day)
– Trenbolone Acetate at 200mg/week (50mg every other day)
– Anavar at 80mg/day
Weeks 4-8:
– Ephedrine at 90mg/day (peak dose)
– Caffeine at 600mg/day (200mg taken with each Ephedrine dose)

Sample Ephedrine cycle #2 presents shorter overall cycle lengths with Ephedrine implemented only in the final 4 weeks of the cycle so as to accelerate fat loss in the last half of the cycle before the end. This is, for example, a method commonly utilized by some competitive bodybuilders that will insert the fat loss compound into a cycle within the final weeks in order to assist in ridding the body of the “stubborn fat”. Every compound selected in this cycle (and the doses used) is normally suited for a fat loss goal and/or pre-competition.

Sample Ephedrine cycle #3 (8 weeks total cycle time)
Weeks 1-8:
– Testosterone Propionate at 100mg/week (25mg every other day)
– Trenbolone Acetate at 200mg/week (50mg every other day)
– Drostanolone Propionate (Masteron) at 400mg/week (100mg every other day)
– T3 at 75 – 100mcg/day
Weeks: 1-2, 5-6, 8+:
– Ephedrine at 90mg/day (peak dose)
– Caffeine at 600mg/day (200mg taken with each Ephedrine dose)

This third sample Ephedrine cycle is designed to demonstrate three key points. The first point is the ability for Ephedrine to be utilized in shorter bursts of 2 weeks at a time, followed with 2 weeks off Ephedrine, and then back on it for 2 weeks. This is in contrast with the previous examples of 4 weeks on followed by 4 weeks off. The second point is that Ephedrine use can extend beyond the end of any anabolic steroid cycle. The third key point is the addition of an assisting fat loss agent, T3.