Yohimbe / Yohimbine (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Yohimbe is a bark extract (its active compound is yohimbine) sold for libido and fat loss. Its human research is mostly prescription drug research in men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, plus one 21 day trial in 20 soccer players in which body fat fell but muscle mass and exercise performance did not change. It strongly stimulates the nervous system, and it is one of the riskier products sold as a supplement.

Prescription yohimbine has been studied in men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and performed better than placebo in those trials, but that is drug research for a medical condition. Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so it should be checked by a doctor rather than self treated with a bark supplement, whose yohimbine content is inconsistent and whose side effects are common.

Doses vary, and supplement yohimbine content is often inconsistent or mislabeled, which is a real safety problem. Because of the effects on heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure, it should not be taken without speaking to a doctor first, and the prescription form is dosed by a doctor.

Yohimbe carries real risks: it can raise blood pressure, speed up or disturb heart rhythm, and cause anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, tremor and nausea, and serious and fatal outcomes have been reported in overdose. A trial that reported no side effects in 20 men over 21 days is far too small to show that it is safe. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or anxiety should avoid it, and it interacts with many medications. Consult a doctor.

Yohimbe is the bark of a West African tree containing yohimbine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist that is sold in the United States as a prescription medicine (Yocon) for erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbe / Yohimbine is researched primarily for Weight Management and Libido Support. Alpha-2 adrenergic receptors are found in higher numbers in abdominal, hip and thigh fat, and blocking them is the proposed reason yohimbine might affect those areas.

The clinically studied dose is The only non-drug trial cited here used 20 mg a day of yohimbine for 21 days in 20 professional soccer players. The erectile dysfunction evidence comes from prescription yohimbine, which a doctor doses. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

For most healthy adults, Yohimbe / Yohimbine is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Stimulant effects: raised blood pressure, fast heartbeat, irregular heart rhythm, palpitations and tremor. Serious and fatal outcomes have occurred in overdose. Anxiety, panic attacks and agitation, especially in people who are prone to anxiety It may also interact with some medications. Yohimbe / Yohimbine is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Possible interactions include: Antidepressants (MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs) — serious and potentially dangerous interactions; never combine with MAO inhibitors, and do not combine with tricyclics, SSRIs or SNRIs without a doctor's guidance Antihypertensive medications — yohimbine raises blood pressure; directly… If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Yohimbe / Yohimbine as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.