[Verified Answer]: Mark is a high-school student and is…

Mark is a high-school student and is becoming recognized as an up and coming 100 meter racer. He has qualified to go to the state championships and is worried he does not have the “edge” he needs to win his heats and race. At a local gym, he heard some people talking about using Ma Huang as a supplement to help “speed up their system” for racing speed and keeping their weight down. When asking one of the individuals about how to obtain the drug, he was told to keep it quiet as they purchase it on the black market. What is Ma Huang and why is this supplement not available through regular stores? What is the adverse effect of ephedrine in Ma Huang?