Do you know someone who uses a number of different dietary supplements or energy boosters?  Do you use them yourself?  Are you wondering how to naturally boost your body’s energy level without compromising your physical health?  You may be taking Ephedra without even realizing it.  Next time you throw back a sports energy drink or chomp down on a sports energy bar, take a minute to read the ingredients, and see if one of your favorite sports snacks may contain Ephedra.  Studies have shown that Ephedra is addictive, so on some smaller level, you may be addicted to a particular sports drink or sports bar.  What can you do?  Well, getting the information is the best way for you to fully realize the effect of the drug.  Seek help as well, but most importantly THINK.  Weigh the risks and rewards of the drug, and help your friends do the same.  Here is a sample of what weighing the risks and rewards may look like.

Rewards        

• Minimal increased energy (Includes stamina)     
• Minimal weight loss (While drug is maintained)   

Risks

• Serious health problems (Possibly death)
• School or league suspensions (Possibly expulsion, or dismissal)

You may gain some initial energy on Ephedra, but you could also gain this energy by eating the right foods at the right times and staying in shape.  You may lose a little weight, but this weight will only stay off if you continue to take the drug constantly, (a practice even the supplements themselves don’t recommend).  They recommend that you use Ephedra supplements for about two weeks on and two weeks off, and this is only until the FDA administers some sort of regulation on the drug. 

Whenever you think about something dangerous or illegal, weigh the risks and rewards and you should realize the possible consequences of your actions, which will in turn help you make better decisions.  Short of drug rehab, which doesn’t really apply in the case of Ephedra, quitting the drug or helping others quit the drug is a must.  Use the information you have, realize the risks, and your conscience will lead you in the right direction.  Losing weight is not worth harming yourself.