Yohimbine - how does it work and is it safe?

Yohimbine - what is it?

Yohimbine is an organic chemical compound of natural origin. It is an alkaloid that is obtained from the bark of an evergreen African tree, which is yohimba medica (from latas. Pausinystalia yohimbe), which naturally occurs in countries such as Cameroon, Congo, Gabon or Nigeria. In addition, the substance can also be found in the shrub, which is Indian snakeroot, growing on the areas of South and South-East Asia.

Pure yohimbine is a compound with low solubility in water. Because in some countries of the world the substance is very popular and is used as a dietary supplement or a natural support agent during various diseases, currently, the compound is also available as a chemical synthesis product in the form of yohimbine hydrochloride, which is distinguished by much better solubility. Interestingly, the use of a substance obtained through chemical reactions probably to a lesser extent contributes to the occurrence of side effects in the human body than the natural yohimbine extract.

Yohimbine, in some parts of the world, for centuries has been used as an aphrodisiac. The medical yohimba was called the love tree or potency tree, and the substance obtained from the plant was used during wedding feasts and numerous rituals to improve performance and strengthen sexual function.

How does yohimbine work?

The mechanism of action of yohimbine is relatively well studied. Current scientific results suggest that the substance may support thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, which may affect the increase in energy expenditure of the body. In addition, the compound may contribute to increasing the release of the neurotransmitter in the body, that is a norepinephrine. Thus, the yohimbine can stimulate the activity of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system, cause an increase in blood pressure, dilation of blood vessels and an increase in the strength of heart contraction. As if that were not enough, the compound is also an antagonist of alpha-2-adrenergic receptors, thanks to which it can block their action. Thanks to this, the yohimbine can enhance the lipolysis process, that is, the breakdown of adipose tissue, and what is more, it can contribute to increasing the blood supply to the genitals and facilitate erection.

Yohimbine - effects and influence of the compound on the human body

The main properties of yohimbine can include its participation in the process of weight loss, as well as the support of sexual performance among men.

Yohimbine can affect potency and libido by inhibiting the activity of 2-adrenergic receptors in the nervous system. In addition, because the substance can affect the dilation of blood vessels, it can facilitate the erection. The substance can be used during erectile dysfunction, however, scientific research indicates that the use of monotherapy focusing on the yohimbine does not give spectacular effects, although it can contribute to the achievement of positive results as regards to sexual function. Interestingly, all scientific data focuses solely on the effect of the compound on sexual performance among men. Therefore, there is a lack of information whether the compound can positively affect women's libido.

There are scientific reports that suggest that the yohimbine may cause an increase in fat lipolysis and thus may be helpful in the reduction of body fat, both among athletes with a small degree of body fatness, and among obese people. It is worth noting that also in this sphere the positive impact of the compound is small. Studies conducted on women who took the yohimbine or placebo for three weeks showed that a group of women using the active substance lost just over 1 kg more than women taking placebo, which confirms, that the yohimbine can positively affect the reduction of body fat, but its effect is not extraordinary.

The action of yohimbine may also affect psychoactive functions. By stimulating the central nervous system, the substance can cause better focus of attention and improve the psychophysical efficiency of the body, e.g. during training, as well as increase alertness. Although some studies, such as analyses conducted on football players, have not shown an increase in exercise performance index due to the use of the yohimbine, other data analyzing the effect of the yohimbine hydrochloride on women during sprinting suggest, that the substance can have an effect on increasing power, as well as reducing the level of fatigue. Among the tested persons taking yohimbine, was observed a lower concentration of lactate in the blood than among women taking placebo, as well as an increase in the secretion of epinephrine.

There are also studies that suggest that the yohimbine may, at least in part, be an anti-melanogenic agent, inhibiting some signaling pathways. Thus, the substance may have the potential as a means of preventing the occurrence of skin discoloration.

Is yohimbine safe?

In accordance with the regulations introduced in 2019 by the European Commission, there is an official ban on the use of the yohimba bark and the use of dietary supplements and over-the-counter preparations containing the yohimbine throughout the European Union. It is worth noting that the substance is considered a potentially health-threatening measure not because it has been proven to have an adverse effect on the human body, but due to the lack of sufficient scientific research, which would exclude its negative effects on health.

The harmful effects of yohimbine on the human body have not been proven, but it has also not been confirmed that the substance is safe. Therefore, in Poland and other countries of the European Union, preparations containing the yohimbine are not authorised.

Yohimbine - dosage. How to use the yohimbine?

Scientific analyses have been conducted so far do not explain what dose of the yohimbine is suitable for humans and does not contribute to the occurrence of undesirable ailments. However, studies report that it is most effective to take the yohimbine on an empty stomach, before a meal, and also before the start of a training session, and preliminary data suggest that the maximum daily dose of the supplement should be 0.2 mg/ kg body weight.

In the course of research and scientific experiments, doses of the yohimbine ranging from 20 mg to 100 mg of the substance/day are most often used, where the usual portion is 50 mg. According to the results, such doses have not contributed to the occurrence of serious side effects so far.

It is worth noting that the use of the yohimbine should not be long-term, and the time of taking a preparation containing the compound should not exceed 3-4 weeks. In addition, it is usually recommended to use the yohimbine with caffeine, which can further strengthen the effectiveness of its action, both in terms of improving efficiency and fat burning. Sometimes it is also recommended to take the substance with green tea extract or bitter orange extract.

Is yohimbine legal?

It is worth remembering that the yohimbine is not available in our country, and obtaining it from illegal sources is not a good solution. Supplements containing the compound, which can sometimes be found on the Internet, are substances of unknown origin with unknown composition and safety of use, which are better not to take, so as not to do more harm than good.

Yohimbine - which is the best?

The most natural form of the yohimbine is powdered yohimba bark, in turn the most common in preparations and the pharmaceutical industry - yohimbine hydrochloride.

Yohimbine HCl is an economic form that is distinguished by a lower price than dried yohimba bark. In addition, dietary supplements containing yohimba hydrochloride allow easier dosing of the compound and are more available (in countries where the use of yohimbine is allowed).

On the market, there is also available alpha-yohimbine, which is obtained not from medical yohimba, but from Indian snakeroot. It is a compound that is considered the most effective - although the mechanism of action is the same as in the case of classical yohimbine, the half-life of the compound obtained from the Indian snakeroot is longer, which makes, that this form can be more active in the human body. However, preparations containing the Indian snakeroot are definitely more expensive and less available than other forms of the yohimbine.

Yohimbine - side effects and contraindications

The yohimbine may contribute to the occurrence of numerous side effects, such as:

insomnia,
headaches,
dizziness,
stomach ulcers,
chest pain,
excessive agitation,
irritability,
shivering,
increase in blood pressure,
excessive sweating.

In the event of an overdose of the compound, may occur tachycardia, convulsions, hallucinations, infarction and even death.

Preparations containing the yohimbine should not be used primarily by people struggling with hypertension, as well as neurological disorders or gastrointestinal problems. The yohimbine is also not recommended among people who suffer from heart or thyroid diseases.

Because the compound may interact with drugs, the use of the yohimbine should also be abandoned by people who take sleeping preparations or medicines for hypertension, as well as sedative pharmaceuticals. The yohimbine should also not be taken at the same time as antidepressants.

Our bestsellers

Bibliography:

Natalia Goździak

Copywriter - nutritionist. Bachelor's degree in sports dietetics She graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Poznan, while her master's degree in dietoprophylaxis and dietotherapy - from the University of Physical Education in Poznan. at UP in Poznań. However, she treats the principles of healthy eating primarily as valuable guidelines, rather than strict rules that must be strictly followed. Knowledge in the field of copywriting, on the other hand, she draws from courses and industry literature, but since the best way to learn is to practice. learning is practice, she spends many hours each day playing with words and creating new, unique content. content. Privately, she is passionate about photography and can't imagine life without books.