Did you have ever thought about why there are stimulants in weight loss pills these days and do stimulants increase metabolism like what is claimed on the pack?
Stimulants are often said to power up your energy levels and make you lose your appetite. This is the main argument put forward by weight loss proponents who are in favor of using stimulants.
Moreover, stimulants have been used to speed up fat burn and even thermogenesis. Regular use tends to show early fat loss. So, what is the full truth?
Here, we’re going to uncover the facts about whether stimulants speed up your metabolism or it’s just a myth. Also, we’ll discuss some of the most common stimulants that are commonly used in weight loss supplements as metabolic boosters.
Do Stimulants Increase Metabolism?
Each stimulant produces a differential pattern of increases and decreases in regional metabolism. So, in fact, they are a significant approach to enhancing the metabolic rate of the body and encouraging metabolism for fat loss.
Almost all fat burners have one or two stimulants for delivering effective results. Using stims helps manufacturers target multiple aspects of fat loss, including energy generation and craving suppression.
Even studies have given ample evidence about stimulants and their role in increasing metabolism and weight loss.
We also have some stimulants that are harmful combining lab-made synthetic stimulants to provide unparalleled weight loss benefits.
However, the extent to which these stimulants can encourage metabolism and fat burn actually depends on the type of stimulants that have been used in your weight loss aid.
So, to know more about it, we need to explore some of the most popular stimulants that are used in weight loss pills and their effects.
Top 4 Stimulants That Boost Metabolism
Stimulants are substances that increase physiological activity in the body, and some of them may have an impact on metabolic rate. There are a lot of medications available which promote fat loss by enhancing body metabolism.
Here we will discuss four such popular stimulants that are known for their effective results in weight loss while raising the body’s metabolism to its peak.
#1. Phentermine
Phentermine is a stimulant that belongs to a class of drugs known as sympathomimetic amines. It is commonly used as an appetite suppressant to aid in weight loss.
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and metabolism booster that works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This puts your body in a “fight or flight” state, which reduces hunger and increases calorie burning.
As per a study published in the Journal Hormones, Phentermine consumption with lifestyle modification confirms that it can be a well-tolerated way to lose body fat. It also helps in weight-related metabolic complications without any side effects.
The increased release of norepinephrine can have several effects on metabolism. It can reduce feelings of hunger, making it easier for individuals to consume fewer calories. Further, The stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by phentermine may lead to an increase in metabolic rate, resulting in the burning of more calories.
#2. Benzphetamine
Benzphetamine is an anorectic prodrug that contains potent stimulants to ward off excess fat accumulation from the body. The drug is potentially used to help shed weight as well as fat from obese individuals.
The fat-burning drug potentially promotes weight loss by reducing the appetite and supporting satiety for a longer period of time. The process of suppressing appetite and increasing satiety also includes the release of certain neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
Additionally, it influences the body’s metabolic state due to having a perfect combination of both d-amphetamine and d-methamphetamine. So, definitely, stimulants like Benzphetamine do increase metabolism.
#3. DMMA
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) is the derivative of an amphetamine, potentially known for its effective approach to weight loss.
The fat-burning stimulant has been used in some dietary supplements and weight-loss products. The drug is made synthetically in a laboratory and sold as a dietary supplement used for attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD), as well as weight loss.
Due to having stimulant properties it instantly gained attention in the fitness and bodybuilding industries. Studies confirm that the lab-made drug eventually increases energy and focus at the same time. Additionally, Some people have used DMAA for its potential impact on metabolism and athletic performance.
When it comes to its metabolic support, the stimulant properties also enhance the body’s metabolic rate. However, it is banned by the FDA as there are plenty of risks associated with DMAA, and it can cause several health risks.
#4. Adderall
Adderall is a stimulant medication for treating the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, some studies prove that Adderal has a closer connection with weight loss and other health conditions.
It is the perfect combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. The drug has the potential to increase dextroamphetamine metabolism to somehow influence weight loss in users.
Some research confirms that the stimulant effect of Adderall can increase the other aspects of the body’s mechanism including increased alertness.
Well, some of these effects may lead to a significant change in weight loss as well as appetite intake. Like caffeine and other traditional stimulants, DMAA is a neurological stimulant that produces a rapid burst of energy, but it does so through distinct brain pathways.
Overall, these are some of the synthetic stimulants that increase metabolism or influence the body’s natural metabolic state to boost weight loss in users.
Apart from the synthetically derived ones, there are also some natural stimulants that can boost metabolism. Let’s check them individually to know how effective they can be.
Natural Stimulants That Boost Metabolism
Several natural stimulants may potentially boost metabolism, although it’s important to note that the effects can vary from person to person, and their impact on metabolism might be modest.
Here are some natural stimulants that are commonly believed to have metabolism-boosting properties:
#1. Caffeine
Being active in the fitness and supplement world, you must be familiar with the name caffeine. It’s one of the basic pre-workout supplements that most fitness enthusiasts consume to enhance their performance and fuel their workout with boosted energy levels.
Apart from its energy-elevating property, caffeine also induces other weight loss benefits including a metabolic boost.
Caffeine is one such natural stimulant that is known for its impeccable weight loss benefits without any unpleasant side effects as long as you control your caffeine intake from other sources.
However, there may be chances that the stimulating properties of caffeine make it intolerable for some people, which is why it is not perfectly suitable for caffeine-intolerant people who are better off choosing fat burners without caffeine.
#2. Guarana
Guarana is also known for its impactful role in weight loss as it enhances the body’s metabolism up to its peak. As per research, guarana increases the metabolically active brown fat tissue.
Furthermore, the resultant shows that Guarana promotes heightened energetic metabolism and triggers the development of new mitochondria, effectively managing weight gain, even in conjunction with a high-fat diet.
The naturally occurring herb also influences thermogenesis and may have a mild appetite-suppressant effect, contributing to weight loss in some individuals. The potential effects of guarana on weight loss and metabolism are often attributed to its caffeine content.
Also, Guarana is not toxic and can be taken in optimal dosage to enhance the weight loss efforts naturally.
#3. Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is commonly consumed as a tea and is known for its stimulant properties. The natural herb contains caffeine, theobromine, and other compounds that can have stimulating effects and can cause weight loss.
Some studies have suggested that the caffeine content in yerba mate may have a modest impact on weight loss and metabolism. Indeed, a 12-week trial on obese people revealed that those who took just 3 grams of yerba mate daily dropped body fat mass and percent body fat.
Well, it’s important to consider that the stimulant properties of yerba mate may contribute to a temporary increase in metabolism, the overall impact on weight loss is likely to be modest.
#4. Ephedra
Ephedra is a plant-based natural stimulant used in several metabolic boosters to encourage weight loss. It contains two main alkaloids, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine, which have stimulant and bronchodilatory effects.
Ephedra is thought to work by increasing the production of norepinephrine, a hormone that plays a role in metabolism and fat burning.
Norepinephrine works by binding to beta-adrenergic receptors in cells, which triggers a number of metabolic changes. In addition to this, a study confirms that Ephedrine increases sympathetic nervous system activity, which makes the heart beat faster and harder.
Additionally, it promotes the breakdown of body fat by speeding up metabolism and decreasing appetite. Numerous studies have demonstrated that ephedrine formulations, either pure or combined, can promote weight loss, but monitoring heart rate is crucial.
#5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne Pepper is one of the most common ingredients you can find in any weight loss supplement. It encourages thermogenic properties to lose weight. They combine spices and that eventually revs up the metabolism and supports weight loss.
The key component in cayenne pepper responsible for its heat is capsaicin. Capsaicin is a bioactive compound that has been studied for its various health benefits, including its potential role in supporting weight loss.
A particular study in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the effects of red pepper on energy metabolism when added to meals heavy in fat and carbohydrates.
The results demonstrated that particularly in those who ate the high-fat meal, adding red pepper to the experimental meals significantly improved diet-induced thermogenesis.
Thus, using cayenne pepper for weight loss holds some promise by inducing a thermic effect.
Overall, the clear answer to do stimulants speed up metabolism is definitely yes, and they also influence weight loss in users.
Final Note
The discussion clearly indicates that stimulants do increase metabolism to boost the weight loss process. However, their working mechanism is much more than just enhancing the body’s metabolic rate to influence weight loss.
Reviews of users also suggest that fat burners that combine stimulants are more effective than the basic ones. However, some individuals may find these stimulant fat burners not suitable as they tend to cause some other health issues.
Overall, stimulants do increase metabolism and are a good way to boost energy and lose weight. But keeping moderation in consumption is required.