Ephedra and ephedrine promote modest shortterm weight loss; their long-term effect is unknown. Ephedrine plus caffeine boosts immediate physical performance for fit young men; there is no evidence that ephedra or ephedrine improves long-term physical performance of athletes or would work for the general public.Ephedra and ephedrine increase the risk of nausea, vomiting, jitteriness, and palpitations.tudies of Athletic Performance. We found no studies that assessed the effects of ephedra-containing dietary supplements on athletic performance. Thus we analyzed only studies of products containing ephedrine or ephedrine plus caffeine— seven studies in all.