Phenphedrine effects

[sherman4335]

I would like some professional help discovering what ingredient in the diet pill "Phenphedrine" is causing an anti-anxiety/depression effect.  I began using this pill to shed some extra weight a few months ago and while I did lose the weight, I wouldn't credit the pill for the weight loss.  However, I noticed when taking the product that I am motivated, concentrated and almost euphoric.  I only take one a day and only on days that I have class (M-Th).  The effects last for around 5 or 6 hours. It is recommended on the package to take up to 3 a day, which I have never done for reason of how stimulated I am by only one pill.  While in class, I feel very focused and confident. I make lists of things to do for the day and I will typically always accomplish them.  It  also makes me more sociable. When I do not take the pill, I fidget, tap my pencil, forget things and can't wait to leave class to go home and browse the internet.  I am not particularly depressed or anti-social, however I do feel less desire to do anything.  There hasn't seemed to be any "come down" from the pill, I just seem to go back to normal. I have gone 4 weeks without taking it and there was absolutely no physical dependency from what I could tell.

The reason I ask this question is because I do not want to rely on a diet pill to feel these effects.  For one, they are pretty expensive and two, I doubt they are very healthy.  I am wondering if there is a specific ingredient in the product that is stimulating me this way and if there are better/safer alternatives to use.  I have tried to do research on the pill but naturally when you search for any information on a diet pill, all you can find are propaganda websites saying it is a miracle pill.

a few side notes:
- I have always felt that I have ADD, (though I also think that most everyone does) however I have been tested by psychologists who think otherwise.

-after reading this over, it sounds like I am condoning the idea for other people to use phenphedrine.  I want to be clear I am not recommending anyone try this.  It probably varies from person to person and is seriously expensive (and probably unsafe) to use in a manner like I do.  

-I assume that people will recommend taking classes or meetings, and while I do greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my post and respond, but what I am looking for is more of a psychiatric answer. I would like to know what ingredient it is and hopefully why I seem to react this way to it.

Again thanks for the help.

[Paxiled]

And I should add, pharmacists aren't much use for natural products -- like doctors, they only study pharmaceutical medicine.

[Paxiled]

This is a very odd product.  It's a knock-off of Phen-Phen, which has been banned.  Hops, by the way, is a relaxant herb, also used in beer making.  Ginger isn't at all like capsaicin, which is from cayenne, and not nearly as hot, but the heat is being used in this product as a theory that says heat makes you lose weight.  Ginger is most used as an anti-inflammatory, is good for the liver, circulates blood, helps with motion sickness -- a great herb though useless for losing weight.  Yohimbe isn't an aphrodesiac, but it does help the production of testosterone.  A drug for this purpose, yohimbine, is derived from this herb.  It's considered very yang in nature, more for men than women except when women are too yin.  It has caffeine in it.  Basically, this is natural speed with some not so natural speed, which is why it makes you feel good -- that's what speed does.  Unfortunately, it also follows with a crash, and it can be habituating to where you don't feel clear without taking it.  Of course, medication also does that, but there you go.

[birdie0907]

Ask your pharmacist this question. They know more than anyone here.

Likely you are not ADD since you say several psychologists have determined you are not - It is always best to stick with professional diagnosis rather than doing self-diagnosis.

[mele48]

Hi, there - I'm not an expert is psychiatry.  But according to Google, here's what you're looking at:

Dicaffeine malate - stimulant
HOPS - couldn't find
Chocamine - makes it taste good
Razberri-K - some type of compound that acts like Vitamin E and/or anti-oxidant
Ginger/gingerols - part of ginger that acts like capsaicin (spicy)
Phenylethylamine - stimulant
Evodiamine - stimulant
Sclareolide - used as a fragrance in cosmetics; know clinical evidence to support weight loss effectiveness

Dimethylamylamine - more commonly known as DMAA - vaso constrictor (will raise blood pressure); 4/2013, FDA prohibited it being marketed solely as weight loss product

Yohimbine - MAOI used for stimulant & aphrodisiac purposes


So....stimulant, stimulant, stimulant.  Stimulants raise blood pressure, which conversely asks your body to pull in more oxygen to get oxygenated blood to the body.  Speaking as a sister of someone who was diagnosed with ADHD, stimulants are sometimes used to treat ADHD.  However, I would highly encourage you to see your doctor.  Explain what this substance made you feel, and what your questions and concerns are.  If you do have ADD, there are many other resources available.  

I would use caution using any substance, especially one that hasn't been tested and approved by experts, for something other than what it was designed for.  

You've come to a great site for questions!  I found an ADD/ADHD forum that you might find helpful:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/ADD---ADHD/show/175

Best wishes to you - hope you find some good answers!

[sherman4335]

I forgot to add the ingredients list, here it is.

Infinergy Dicaffeine Malate – 250mg
HOPS -100mg
Chocamine -50mg
Razberri-K – 50mg
Ginger 20% gingerols – 50mg
Phenylethylamine – 20mg
Evodiamine 98% – 15mg
Sclareolide 98% – 15mg
1,3 Dimethylamylamine – 15mg
Yohimbine – 3mg