Yohimbine

Last Updated: November 15 2022

Yohimbine is promoted for its fat-burning properties and benefits for male sexual dysfunction. Though yohimbine is effective, side effects may include anxiety, nervousness, and an elevated heart rate, and the reported dose of yohimbine in many supplement formulas doesn’t match the actual dose.

Yohimbine is most often used for

What is yohimbine?

Yohimbine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree and the Rauwolfia serpentina plant. Yohimbine is a stimulatory compound that primarily acts on the alpha-2-adrenergic receptors in the body.[99] It’s best known for its ability to increase fat burning (lipolysis)[100] and aid in male sexual dysfunction.[101] Yohimbine supplementation is also used for weight loss,[102][103][104] body composition,[105][104] treatment of phobias,[106][107] and orthostatic hypotension,[108] though there is a lack of evidence to support yohimbine’s benefits for many of these conditions.

What are yohimbine’s main benefits?

Some evidence supports the use of yohimbine as a natural way to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. While studies have questioned this claim,[109] two meta-analyses concluded that yohimbine taken alone[110] or alongside other therapies, including arginine and PDE-5 inhibitors,[111] improves ED when compared to a placebo, though studies using combined yohimbine and PDE-5 inhibitors have only been conducted in animals.[112]

Although it’s often marketed as a fat-loss and performance-enhancing supplement for athletes, there’s no evidence that yohimbine improves strength, increases muscle, or enhances physical performance.[113] Yohimbine does seem to have a lipolytic effect (increases “fat burning”)[113] and may improve body composition[104] or cause regional fat loss when used as a topical ointment.[105]

What are yohimbine’s main drawbacks?

When taken at the recommended dose (≤0.2 mg per kg of body weight), yohimbine may cause nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, nervousness, and anxiety.[114]

Higher doses of yohimbine may be dangerous; a report from 2005 found that yohimbine had the highest rate of toxic effects of any botanical product.[115] Case reports of excess yohimbine ingestion have suggested that anxiety, hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (high heart rate), arrhythmias, and agitation are among the more severe side effects of this compound.[113]

Furthermore, many yohimbine-containing supplements in the U.S. were found to be inaccurately labeled — they contained 23%–147% of the yohimbine reported on the label and failed to report the amount of yohimbine contained in the product or warn of the potential harms of excess consumption.[116]

How does yohimbine work?

Yohimbine is a selective alpha-2-adrenergic antagonist. In other words, it targets and inactivates a class of receptors in the nervous system that is responsive to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline).[117] Alpha-2 receptor antagonism enhances the sympathetic nervous system release of norepinephrine, causing the stimulatory and “hyperadrenergic” effects of yohimbine.

Antagonism of alpha-2 receptors also inhibits penile smooth muscle contraction and may enhance nitric oxide-mediated smooth muscle relaxation — the combined effects of which promote erection and explain the improvement in ED symptoms after supplementing with yohimbine.[118] Yohimbine also inhibits the activity of alpha-2 receptors on fat cells — where norepinephrine normally acts to suppress fat release. Inhibition of the antilipolytic effect of norepinephrine allows more lipolysis (fat burning) to occur.[100]

What else is Yohimbine known as?
Note that Yohimbine is also known as:
  • Yohimbe
  • Corynanthe Yohimbe
  • Yohimbe Bark
  • Pausinystalia Yohimbe
Dosage information

Dosages of 0.2mg/kg bodyweight have been successfully used to increase fat burning without significant implications on cardiovascular parameters like heart rate and blood pressure. This results in a dosage of:

  • 14 mg for a 150lb person
  • 18 mg for a 200lb person
  • 22 mg for a 250lb person

Supplementation is most effective between meals or during short term fasting.

Caution should be exercised at higher body weight, since the cardiovascular system may not be prepared to handle a stimulatory agent such as yohimbine. When supplementing yohimbine for the first time, always start with a half-dose and assess tolerance before proceeding.

Caution should also be exercised since many supplements containing yohimbine either do not list how much yohimbine is included, or if they do, the actual dose ranges from 25-150% of the dose listed. Since the dosage may be higher than listed, this is extra reason to start with a lower dose.

When pairing yohimbine with other stimulatory agents, half-dose both supplements and work up to the recommended dose cautiously, as two supplements can interact negatively.

Supplements Demystified: Get Our Unbiased, Evidence-Based Guide

Examine Database: Yohimbine
What works and what doesn't?

Unlock the full potential of Examine

Get started

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
2.^Cimolai N, Cimolai TYohimbine use for physical enhancement and its potential toxicityJ Diet Suppl.(2011 Dec)
6.^Asker AF, Helal MA, Motawi MMLight stability of some parenteral solutions of reserpinePharmazie.(1971 Feb)
7.^Jamil N, Afrozrizvi H, Ahmed I, Beg AEStudies on the photostability of reserpine in parenteral solutionsPharmazie.(1983 Jul)
8.^Strobl GR, von Kruedener S, Stöckigt J, Guengerich FP, Wolff TDevelopment of a pharmacophore for inhibition of human liver cytochrome P-450 2D6: molecular modeling and inhibition studiesJ Med Chem.(1993 Apr 30)
9.^Le Corre P, Parmer RJ, Kailasam MT, Kennedy BP, Skaar TP, Ho H, Leverge R, Smith DW, Ziegler MG, Insel PA, Schork NJ, Flockhart DA, O'connor DTHuman sympathetic activation by alpha2-adrenergic blockade with yohimbine: Bimodal, epistatic influence of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolismClin Pharmacol Ther.(2004 Aug)
10.^Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, Camilleri M, Philips S, Seide B, Burton D, Baxter K, Zinsmeister ARRelationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjectsNeurogastroenterol Motil.(2008 Aug)
11.^Ozawa S, Soyama A, Saeki M, Fukushima-Uesaka H, Itoda M, Koyano S, Sai K, Ohno Y, Saito Y, Sawada JEthnic differences in genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP3As and MDR1/ABCB1Drug Metab Pharmacokinet.(2004 Apr)
12.^Taouis M, Berlan M, Montastruc P, Lafontan MMechanism of the lipid-mobilizing effect of alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists in the dogJ Pharmacol Exp Ther.(1988 Dec)
13.^Szemeredi K, Komoly S, Kopin IJ, Bagdy G, Keiser HR, Goldstein DSSimultaneous measurement of plasma and brain extracellular fluid concentrations of catechols after yohimbine administration in ratsBrain Res.(1991 Feb 22)
14.^Ehlert U, Erni K, Hebisch G, Nater USalivary alpha-amylase levels after yohimbine challenge in healthy menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Dec)
16.^Hedner T, Edgar B, Edvinsson L, Hedner J, Persson B, Pettersson AYohimbine pharmacokinetics and interaction with the sympathetic nervous system in normal volunteersEur J Clin Pharmacol.(1992)
17.^Grossman E, Rosenthal T, Peleg E, Holmes C, Goldstein DSOral yohimbine increases blood pressure and sympathetic nervous outflow in hypertensive patientsJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol.(1993 Jul)
18.^Galitzky J, Rivière D, Tran MA, Montastruc JL, Berlan MPharmacodynamic effects of chronic yohimbine treatment in healthy volunteersEur J Clin Pharmacol.(1990)
19.^Berlan M, Galitzky J, Riviere D, Foureau M, Tran MA, Flores R, Louvet JP, Houin G, Lafontan MPlasma catecholamine levels and lipid mobilization induced by yohimbine in obese and non-obese womenInt J Obes.(1991 May)
20.^Sturgill MG, Grasing KW, Rosen RC, Thomas TJ, Kulkarni GD, Trout JR, Maines M, Seibold JRYohimbine elimination in normal volunteers is characterized by both one- and two-compartment behaviorJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol.(1997 Jun)
21.^Mizuki Y, Suetsugi M, Ushijima I, Yamada MDifferential effects of noradrenergic drugs on anxiety and arousal in healthy volunteers with high and low anxietyProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(1996 Nov)
22.^Kennedy SH, Gnam W, Ralevski E, Brown GMMelatonin responses to clonidine and yohimbine challengesJ Psychiatry Neurosci.(1995 Jul)
26.^Roychowdhury S, Peña-Contreras Z, Tam J, Yadlapalli A, Dinh L, Nichols JA, Basu D, Atzori Mα₂- and β-adrenoceptors involvement in nortriptyline modulation of auditory sustained attention and impulsivityPsychopharmacology (Berl).(2012 Jul)
27.^Callahan MF, Beales M, Oltmans GAYohimbine and rauwolscine reduce food intake of genetically obese (obob) and lean micePharmacol Biochem Behav.(1984 Apr)
29.^Clark JT, Smith ER, Davidson JMEvidence for the modulation of sexual behavior by alpha-adrenoceptors in male ratsNeuroendocrinology.(1985 Jul)
30.^Koskinen I, Hendricks S, Yells D, Fitzpatrick D, Graber BYohimbine and naloxone: effects on male rat sexual behaviorPhysiol Behav.(1991 Sep)
31.^Clark JT, Smith ER, Davidson JMEnhancement of sexual motivation in male rats by yohimbineScience.(1984 Aug 24)
32.^Rodríguez-Manzo G, Fernández-Guasti AReversal of sexual exhaustion by serotonergic and noradrenergic agentsBehav Brain Res.(1994 Jun 30)
33.^Clark JT, Smith ER, Davidson JMTestosterone is not required for the enhancement of sexual motivation by yohimbinePhysiol Behav.(1985 Oct)
34.^Travison TG, Morley JE, Araujo AB, O'Donnell AB, McKinlay JBThe relationship between libido and testosterone levels in aging menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Jul)
38.^Stine SM, Southwick SM, Petrakis IL, Kosten TR, Charney DS, Krystal JHYohimbine-induced withdrawal and anxiety symptoms in opioid-dependent patientsBiol Psychiatry.(2002 Apr 15)
40.^Sommer M, Braumann M, Althoff T, Backhaus J, Kordon A, Junghanns K, Ehrenthal D, Bartmann U, Hohagen F, Broocks APsychological and neuroendocrine responses to social stress and to the administration of the alpha-2-receptor antagonist, yohimbine, in highly trained endurance athletes in comparison to untrained healthy controlsPharmacopsychiatry.(2011 Jun)
41.^Rimmele U, Zellweger BC, Marti B, Seiler R, Mohiyeddini C, Ehlert U, Heinrichs MTrained men show lower cortisol, heart rate and psychological responses to psychosocial stress compared with untrained menPsychoneuroendocrinology.(2007 Jul)
42.^Cameron OG, Zubieta JK, Grunhaus L, Minoshima SEffects of yohimbine on cerebral blood flow, symptoms, and physiological functions in humansPsychosom Med.(2000 Jul-Aug)
44.^Gentili A, Godschalk MF, Gheorghiu D, Nelson K, Julius DA, Mulligan TEffect of clonidine and yohimbine on sleep in healthy men: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trialEur J Clin Pharmacol.(1996)
49.^Casada JH, Roache JDBehavioral inhibition and activation in posttraumatic stress disorderJ Nerv Ment Dis.(2005 Feb)
50.^Swann AC, Birnbaum D, Jagar AA, Dougherty DM, Moeller FGAcute yohimbine increases laboratory-measured impulsivity in normal subjectsBiol Psychiatry.(2005 May 15)
51.^Sun H, Green TA, Theobald DE, Birnbaum SG, Graham DL, Zeeb FD, Nestler EJ, Winstanley CAYohimbine increases impulsivity through activation of cAMP response element binding in the orbitofrontal cortexBiol Psychiatry.(2010 Apr 1)
52.^Shamloul RNatural aphrodisiacsJ Sex Med.(2010 Jan)
54.^Morales A, Condra M, Owen JA, Surridge DH, Fenemore J, Harris CIs yohimbine effective in the treatment of organic impotence? Results of a controlled trialJ Urol.(1987 Jun)
55.^Mann K, Klingler T, Noe S, Röschke J, Müller S, Benkert OEffects of yohimbine on sexual experiences and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity in erectile dysfunctionArch Sex Behav.(1996 Feb)
56.^Reid K, Surridge DH, Morales A, Condra M, Harris C, Owen J, Fenemore JDouble-blind trial of yohimbine in treatment of psychogenic impotenceLancet.(1987 Aug 22)
57.^Vogt HJ, Brandl P, Kockott G, Schmitz JR, Wiegand MH, Schadrack J, Gierend MDouble-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trial with yohimbine hydrochloride in the treatment of nonorganic erectile dysfunctionInt J Impot Res.(1997 Sep)
58.^Susset JG, Tessier CD, Wincze J, Bansal S, Malhotra C, Schwacha MGEffect of yohimbine hydrochloride on erectile impotence: a double-blind studyJ Urol.(1989 Jun)
59.^Rowland DL, Kallan K, Slob AKYohimbine, erectile capacity, and sexual response in menArch Sex Behav.(1997 Feb)
62.^Carmen GY, Víctor SMSignalling mechanisms regulating lipolysisCell Signal.(2006 Apr)
64.^Lafontan M, Berlan M, Galitzky J, Montastruc JLAlpha-2 adrenoceptors in lipolysis: alpha 2 antagonists and lipid-mobilizing strategiesAm J Clin Nutr.(1992 Jan)
65.^Doxey JC, Lane AC, Roach AG, Virdee NKComparison of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist profiles of idazoxan (RX 781094), yohimbine, rauwolscine and corynanthineNaunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol.(1984 Feb)
66.^Lalchandani SG, Lei L, Zheng W, Suni MM, Moore BM, Liggett SB, Miller DD, Feller DRYohimbine dimers exhibiting selectivity for the human alpha 2C-adrenoceptor subtypeJ Pharmacol Exp Ther.(2002 Dec)
67.^MacDonald E, Kobilka BK, Scheinin MGene targeting--homing in on alpha 2-adrenoceptor-subtype functionTrends Pharmacol Sci.(1997 Jun)
69.^Reiner S, Ambrosio M, Hoffmann C, Lohse MJDifferential signaling of the endogenous agonists at the beta2-adrenergic receptorJ Biol Chem.(2010 Nov 12)
70.^Greenway FL, Bray GA, Heber DTopical fat reductionObes Res.(1995 Nov)
74.^Galitzky J, Taouis M, Berlan M, Rivière D, Garrigues M, Lafontan MAlpha 2-antagonist compounds and lipid mobilization: evidence for a lipid mobilizing effect of oral yohimbine in healthy male volunteersEur J Clin Invest.(1988 Dec)
76.^Ito K, Hirose H, Kido K, Koyama K, Maruyama H, Saruta TAdrenoceptor antagonists, but not guanethidine, reduce glucopenia-induced glucagon secretion from perfused rat pancreasDiabetes Res Clin Pract.(1995 Dec)
77.^Ribes G, Hillaire-Buys D, Gross R, Blayac JP, Loubatières-Mariani MMInvolvement of a central nervous pathway in yohimbine-induced insulin secretionEur J Pharmacol.(1989 Mar 21)
80.^Biaggioni I, Robertson RM, Robertson DManipulation of norepinephrine metabolism with yohimbine in the treatment of autonomic failureJ Clin Pharmacol.(1994 May)
81.^Shibao C, Okamoto LE, Gamboa A, Yu C, Diedrich A, Raj SR, Robertson D, Biaggioni IComparative efficacy of yohimbine against pyridostigmine for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension in autonomic failureHypertension.(2010 Nov)
82.^Sandberg M, Pettersson U, Henriksnäs J, Jansson LThe α2-Adrenoceptor Antagonist Yohimbine Normalizes Increased Islet Blood Flow in GK Rats: A Model of Type 2 DiabetesHorm Metab Res.(2012 Sep 26)
84.^Guay AT, Spark RF, Jacobson J, Murray FT, Geisser MEYohimbine treatment of organic erectile dysfunction in a dose-escalation trialInt J Impot Res.(2002 Feb)
85.^Cuneo RC, Livesey JH, Nicholls MG, Espiner EA, Donald RAEffects of alpha-2 adrenoreceptor blockade by yohimbine on the hormonal response to hypoglycaemic stress in normal manHorm Metab Res.(1989 Jan)
87.^McDougle CJ, Krystal JH, Price LH, Heninger GR, Charney DSNoradrenergic response to acute ethanol administration in healthy subjects: comparison with intravenous yohimbinePsychopharmacology (Berl).(1995 Mar)
89.^Senbel AM, Mostafa TYohimbine enhances the effect of sildenafil on erectile process in ratsInt J Impot Res.(2008 Jul-Aug)
90.^Jordan J, Sharma AMPotential for sibutramine-yohimbine interactionLancet.(2003 May 24)
94.^Linden CH, Vellman WP, Rumack BYohimbine: a new street drugAnn Emerg Med.(1985 Oct)
95.^HOLMBERG G, GERSHON SAutonomic and psychic effects of yohimbine hydrochloridePsychopharmacologia.(1961)
96.^Cohen PA, Yang Y-H, Maller G, DeSouza R, Khan IAPharmaceutical quantities of yohimbine found in dietary supplements in the USADrug Test Anal.(2015 Sep)
97.^Giampreti A, Lonati D, Locatelli C, Rocchi L, Campailla MTAcute neurotoxicity after yohimbine ingestion by a body builderClin Toxicol (Phila).(2009 Sep)