[Experimental study on the effect of ephedrine in an anger-provoking situation]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ephedrine-induced sympathetic arousal on emotional reactions in an anger-provoking situation. The effects of ephedrine were compared with a placebo condition while the effects of the anger-situation were compared to a neutral control situation. 60 male students were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions of the two-factor design. The dependent variables were various peripheral-physiological measures and self rating of physical and emotional states. Both independent variables were found to be effective. Contrary to expectation, ephedrine decreased subjective emotional reactions to the anger-provoking situation rather than increase it. Methodological problems and possible conclusions about the role of sympathetic arousal for emotional reactions are discussed.