Dear Thiger,
Any herbal thermogenic must provide the following:
Per serving:
Ephedrine 20mg
Caffeine 200mg
The rule of thumb is a 1:10 ratio of ephedrine to caffeine. Anything less will not work, and anything too much could prove fatal. Taking the above serving three times a day is quite safe, since the maximum safe dosage for ephedrine in a child is 100-120mg. As for caffeine, 600mg a day is eventually, well-tolerated.
Original studies done on the EC stack had subjects taking 20mg ephedrine and 200mg caffeine prior to breakfast, lunch and dinner. To the best of my recollection, side-effects disappeared by the fourth week while the thermogenic effect exceeded fifty weeks and did not appear to down-regulate. In other words, there is no need to cycle the EC stack. To avoid the jitters associated with starting EC supplementation, take it in smaller doses whilst still maintaing the 1E:10C ratio.
Ephedrine is known to cause appetite suppression. This effect wears off though, over time but is helpful for those wishing to cut food intake.
The EC stack is used to fix an adrenal defect and works almost miraculously if one is adrenal insufficient. In instances where obesity is not due to adrenal insufficiency, the EC stack will have less than dramatic effects (and at best, indirect), if at all.
Godspeed, and happy HSTing
