Cloma Pharma Black Spider 100 caps

Ephedra and ephedrine

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica, ma huang) contains ephedrine alkaloids, which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine is also a licensed medicine in some indications¹.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA, also labelled 2-aminoisoheptane or octodrine (2-amino-6-methylheptane), is a synthetic aliphatic amine stimulant found in pre-workout and weight-loss supplements, sometimes alongside the related compound DMBA².

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Yohimbine is an alkaloid from the bark of the African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe. It blocks α2-adrenergic receptors, which increases noradrenaline release. Rauwolscine (alpha-yohimbine) is a closely related alkaloid.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

p-Synephrine is the main protoalkaloid of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). It is structurally related to adrenaline and is used in weight-loss and pre-workout products³.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Capsaicin is the pungent compound in chilli and cayenne pepper; capsinoids are milder relatives.

Ephedra and ephedrine

A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that ephedra or ephedrine produced modest short-term weight loss of about 0.9 kg a month more than placebo, with no data on long-term weight loss and insufficient evidence for athletic performance¹.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

There are no controlled human trials showing that DMHA improves exercise performance or weight loss.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

A small trial in professional soccer players found reduced body fat with yohimbine but no change in body mass, muscle mass or performance⁴. Larger, independent trials are lacking.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

A review of human clinical studies reported small increases in energy expenditure and modest weight loss with bitter orange extract or p-synephrine products over 6–12 weeks, many in combination with other ingredients³.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

A meta-analysis in healthy adults found moderate increases in resting metabolic rate and fat oxidation with capsaicinoids or capsinoids, and called for higher-quality studies⁵.

Ephedra and ephedrine

The trials were short and did not assess long-term outcomes¹.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

The research concerns detection of these stimulants in supplements, not their effects. Analyses of sports and weight-loss supplements have repeatedly found stimulants that were not declared, or quantities different from the label²⁶.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Evidence for fat loss or performance is limited to small studies. Supplement labels are often inaccurate: of 49 US yohimbine supplements tested, only 2 gave accurate information on both the quantity and the known adverse effects⁷.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

Most studies are small, short and use multi-ingredient products, and longer studies are needed to establish efficacy and safety³.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Effects are small and the studies are heterogeneous⁵.

Ephedra and ephedrine

Use of ephedra or ephedrine with caffeine was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric, autonomic and gastrointestinal symptoms and heart palpitations¹.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

Human safety data are lacking. As a sympathomimetic amine, DMHA may raise heart rate and blood pressure; avoid combining it with other stimulants. Contaminated supplements have caused positive doping tests⁶.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

A review of poison-centre cases found that adverse events with yohimbine products had more serious outcomes than average exposures, including rapid heart rate, anxiety, high blood pressure and agitation⁸. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders or taking antidepressants should not use yohimbine.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

The reviewed studies did not report serious adverse effects at the doses tested³, but combining synephrine with caffeine and other stimulants increases cardiovascular stress. People with high blood pressure, heart-rhythm disorders or taking stimulant or antidepressant medication should avoid it.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Can cause stomach irritation and heartburn.

Contains Ephedra extract. Ephedra species and their preparations are prohibited in foods, including food supplements, in the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, Annex III, Part A). Contains yohimbe bark extract. Yohimbe bark and its preparations are prohibited in foods, including food supplements, in the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, Annex III, Part A, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/650). Contains DMHA, a synthetic stimulant that is not authorised as a novel food in the EU.

Ephedra and ephedrine

Ephedra species and their preparations are prohibited in foods, including food supplements, in the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, Annex III, Part A)⁹. Ephedrine is prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency above a urinary threshold¹⁰.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA and DMBA are not authorised as novel foods in the EU¹¹. Octodrine and related stimulants are prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency⁶¹⁰.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Yohimbine is a pharmacologically active substance. Its use in food is regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and national rules⁹, and several EU Member States treat it as a medicinal substance¹².

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

Bitter orange extracts are used in EU food supplements under national rules, which differ between Member States¹³.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁴; it is sold under national food-supplement rules¹³.