Yohimbine is a substance derived from the bark of the Yohimbe tree, an evergreen tree native to central-west Africa. Yohimbine can be found in various health supplements and is highly touted as a natural sexual and athletic performance enhancer, testosterone and libido booster, and weight loss aid. A panacea of sorts, if you will – but there’s little evidence to substantiate these big claims.
What is yohimbine, and what does it purportedly do?
Yohimbine is the alkaloid and active ingredient extracted from the bark of Pausinystalia yohimbe, used in traditional West African medicine for millennia for its purported aphrodisiac qualities.
The active ingredient’s long-standing reputation made it a staple in prescription medicine and used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) before PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil citrate (Viagra) emerged as the go-to, first-line treatment for ED in the latter part of the ‘90s.
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Is there a difference between Yohimbe and yohimbine?
Yohimbe (also known as johimbe or quebrachine) refers to the Yohimbe tree or its bark. At the same time, yohimbine is the active ingredient responsible for the bark’s ostensibly potent effects derived from the Yohimbe tree’s bark.
Synthetic yohimbine, known as yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbine HCl, is a derivative of the Yohimbe bark extract you can purchase over-the-counter. Since synthetic yohimbine is unadulterated and therefore more highly concentrated, you can only get it under a prescription.
Does yohimbine treat ED?
Dietary herbal supplements containing yohimbine are thought to help treat symptoms of ED. Temper your expectations – you won’t necessarily get the “wood” you need from Yohimbe bark.
Granted, some research supports the claim that Yohimbe may promote the discharge of chemicals that stimulate erections. An overview of seven clinical trials conducted in 1998 determined that Yohimbe served as a better placebo for ED treatment. Based on the clinical trials cited by the review, the subjects in the Yohimbe control group experienced more satisfying erections than the group taking a placebo with significantly fewer side effects. Then, the subjects taking the placebo were given Yohimbe, and 40% experienced better erections than before.
However, scientists weren’t as convinced as the subjects in the clinical trials. A 2001 review contradicted the aforementioned study, determining that yohimbine rarely outperformed placebo for treating erectile dysfunction.
Now, while Yohimbe may be better than receiving no treatment, no studies have been conducted comparing the herbal supplement to established prescription ED drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) that most doctors recommend for erectile issues.
Can yohimbine help you lose weight?
Yohimbine can be found in some supplements purporting to promote weight loss. A small 1991 study determined that 20 obese women who were put on a low-calorie diet for three weeks while taking a Yohimbe supplement appeared to lose more weight than women who were put on a placebo while taking the same diet. But the fact is that it’s difficult to make a conclusive determination based on such a small sample size.
Ultimately, a 2005 study concluded that there is little evidence to support the claim that yohimbine promotes weight loss based on the few studies comparing it to a placebo.`
Does yohimbine help enhance athletic performance?
A handful of supplements containing yohimbine are touted as athletic performance enhancers, but there is little research supporting such marketing claims.
A clinical trial in 2006 found that yohimbine didn’t make a difference in increasing muscle mass or overall performance in a small sample comprising soccer players. Yohimbine is generally well-tolerated with only several side effects, but no discernible effects were found as far as athletic performance was concerned based on a 2011 review.
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In what products can I find yohimbine?
Yohimbine is available as extracts, tablets, powders, and capsules as a stand-alone supplement or as part of a Yohimbe supplement.
What are the side effects and dangers of taking yohimbine?
While yohimbine can be purchased OTC, it doesn’t come without risks. Yohimbine’s mechanism of action is to block alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, among other receptors in the body that regulate blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure, and other critical bodily functions.
Yohimbe and yohimbine supplements aren’t regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means there aren’t any guarantees about the potency or freshness of any product you buy.
Worse, Yohimbe supplements are often inaccurately labeled. A 2015 study showed that 49 popular dietary supplements containing either Yohimbe and/or yohimbine had abysmally unreliable concentrations of the substances listed on their labels. Only 4% actually showed the proper information on yohimbine concentrations. Most supplements had varying amounts that contradict the concentrations printed on the label, while others didn’t list any numbers at all. Some products contained far higher amounts, while others were much less potent.
While Yohimbe is well-tolerated in general, some individuals may experience side effects such as the following:
- Hypertension
- Gastrointestinal pain
- Increased heat rate
- Anxiety and stress
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Insomnia
Taking Yohimbe can pose serious health risks for individuals taking particular medicines or those with underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disease, prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or mental health issues such as depression or bipolar disorder. People with such conditions should avoid taking Yohimbe.
Yohimbe may also cause severe reactions in rare cases. For instance, Yohimbe consumption has been linked to increased heart attacks or seizures. Fatal Yohimbe overdoses have also been reported. It’s always a good practice to consult your doctor before going on a supplement and tell them about any existing health conditions or potential risks and interactions you might run into.
What’s the final verdict on Yohimbe? The scientific evidence on this ancient plant supporting erectile health, weight loss, and athletic performance is shaky at best. Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment options based on your medical history.
