Many people believe that herbal stimulants are a safer alternative to illegally obtained stimulant medications. According to the Utah Poison Control Center, these herbal stimulants are used to elicit feelings of euphoria, increased awareness and sexual stimulation. College students often use these herbs in conjunction with other mind- or mood-altering substances such as alcohol. Unfortunately, despite their purported "natural" origins, herbal stimulants can be as dangerous as their illegal and legal drug counterparts.
Cardiovascular Problems
The mechanism behind heightened awareness and euphoria elicited by herbal stimulants is their effect on your heart rate. Herbal stimulants like ma huang and guarana stimulate the muscles of your heart, increasing the beat and forcing more oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This effect can lead to an irregular heartbeat that can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC. If you have a history of heart disease or an irregular heartbeat, avoid using any herbal stimulants.
Seizures
Herbal stimulants may cause or elevate seizure activity in some individuals, particularly if they are prone to this condition. A 2001 paper published in "Epilepsy and Behavior" explains that herbal stimulants that contain ma huang or the banned substance ephedra may make seizures worse in people with epilepsy when herbal stimulants are combined with other stimulants like caffeine; so far research evidence to support this effect is anecdotal. However, MSKCC reports that seizures have been reported even in people without a history of seizure activity.
Blood Glucose Instability
Stimulant herbs such as ma huang are frequently found in weight loss products, mainly because of their appetite-supressing effects. These effects can cause unstable blood glucose levels, which can lead to hypoglycemia, a dangerous condition in which blood sugar levels drop too low. Symptoms of this condition include sweating and palpitations; left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause seizure activity and a coma. You are most at risk for hypoglycemia if you have a pre-existing blood glucose instability like diabetes, although even healthy people can be affected. In addition, MSKCC explains that in some cases, high blood glucose, known as hyperglycemia, may also occur after taking an herbal stimulant.
Increased Blood Pressure
Herbal stimulants can cause constriction of the vascular system, which can lead to a rise in blood pressure. If you have a history of hypertension or stroke, taking an herbal stimulant increases your risk. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic website explains that herbal stimulants like ma huang and ephedra can cause impaired ventricular functioning that can lead to heart failure, heart attack or a stroke, even in healthy individuals. Herbal stimulants can also cause problems with the aggregation of platelets, which can cause problems with the clotting of your blood. This condition increases your risk of internal bleeding, hemorrhage or stroke.
References
- Utah Poison Control Center: An Overview of Herbal Ecstacy and Other Stimulants
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Hypoglycemia
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Guarana
- "Epilepsy and Behavior"; Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy: The Potential for Benefit and Adverse Effects.; M. Spinella; 2001
- Drugs: Ephedra (Ephedra Sinica)/Ma Huang
