[QUOTE=neutron star]
Possibly a stupid question, but I was wondering if the over-use of ephedrine (legal, OTC bronchodilator and stimulant) could trigger a false-positive for a more powerful, and much less legal, stimulant like methamphetamine, since ephedrine (or psuedoephedrine) are key ingredients in that drug.
The reason I ask is that I’m a naturally mellow and reserved person. I have a job interview and potential drug test tomorrow, so I’ve been known to take up to 200mg of ephedrine (4 times the normal dose) in such situations to appear more energetic and less shy to the interviewer.
[/QUOTE]
Careful, Neutron , you may inadvertently be participating in what’s known as diversion of a controlled dangerous substance.
For US Dopers:
Actually, the sale of ephedrine was banned by the FDA in December 2003 (with enforcement beginning the following month - cite: http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/ephedra/february2004/finalsummary.html), and consumers were warned against using ephedra-bearing products. Its synthetic cousin, pseudoephedrine, is a List I chemical regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration under the authority of the Combatting Methamphetamine Act of 2005, which was rolled into the USA Patriot Act (like everything else in the last 6 years).
To quote my favorite bumpersticker: “Who are the DEA, and why are they following me?”