Do nasal decongestants even work?

<p><strong>#146</strong></p><p>When we are sick and super congested, many of us go to the store to pick up a decongestant. But what if some decongestants DON'T EVEN WORK, like at all? Wouldn't that be frustrating? Well we're sorry to say, it's true. Some "decongestants" are essentially ineffective against congestion? Why? Why are they even sold? Why are they even called decongestants then? Let's talk about this big mess.<a href="http://goode.coffee/"><br></a><br></p><p><a href="https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=jam">How to start a podcast.</a> &lt;- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!</p><p><br><strong>References from this episode</strong></p><ol> <li><a href="https://www-science-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/content/blog-post/uselessness-phenylephrine">https://www-science-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/content/blog-post/uselessness-phenylephrine</a></li> <li><a href="https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/shrubs-and-trees/EphedraGreen">https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/shrubs-and-trees/EphedraGreen</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ephedra-plant">https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ephedra-plant</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/01/06/decongestants/">https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/01/06/decongestants/</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/p/pseudoephedrine.html">https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/p/pseudoephedrine.html</a></li> <li><a href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/abs/pii/S0065291108601642?via%3Dihub">https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/abs/pii/S0065291108601642?via%3Dihub</a></li> <li><a href="https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/2015/10/14/uf-researchers-ask-fda-to-remove-non-prescription-decongestant-from-the-market/">https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/2015/10/14/uf-researc