In 2004, the FDA issued a landmark ruling banning ephedrine alkaloids in supplements after linking them to over 150 deaths and thousands of adverse health events.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hydroxycut was famous for its use of (also known as Ma Huang). This plant-based stimulant was highly effective for short-term weight loss but came at a significant cost to safety.

It is important to clarify that you cannot legally buy containing ephedra in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned all dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (ephedra) in 2004 due to severe health risks, including heart attack, stroke, and death.