Yohimbine, scientifically known as Pausinystalia yohimbe, is an evergreen tree. In Africa, its bark has long been used in traditional medicine to address various conditions such as coughs, fevers, heart diseases, and leprosy. Additionally, the bark extract has traditionally served as an aphrodisiac, hallucinogenic, and anesthetic. Nowadays, in the West, yohimbine is often used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The compound responsible for these purported effects is also called yohimbine. However, yohimbine supplements pose numerous risks, leading some countries to ban their use. Given the potential risks and side effects, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking yohimbine.

Yohimbine is most well - known for treating erectile dysfunction, and some people also attempt to use it to enhance athletic performance. Although many experts do not recommend taking yohimbine due to risks, some research provides evidence for these potential benefits.

Improving erectile dysfunction is the most widely touted efficacy of yohimbine, and some research supports this. Some studies have found that yohimbine can be effective in treating erectile dysfunction. For example, one study indicated that taking 10.8 milligrams (mg) of yohimbine three times a day could improve the erectile response and sexual satisfaction of men of different ages. Researchers believe that this is partly because yohimbine blocks the α - 2 - adrenergic receptors, which prevent erections.

Other studies suggest that when yohimbine is used in combination with other supplements, such as L - arginine, it can be effective in improving erectile dysfunction. This is because both supplements can enhance blood flow to the penis. These studies also found that yohimbine is particularly helpful for patients with mild or moderate erectile dysfunction.

Although yohimbine has the potential to assist in treating erectile dysfunction, experts do not recommend using this supplement as a standard therapy for erectile dysfunction.

Some emerging research shows that yohimbine may help improve athletic performance. A study on men found that taking 2.5 milligrams (mg) of yohimbine 20 minutes before an activity could increase energy output during repeated sprints. Participants who took yohimbine also reported lower fatigue levels compared to those who took a placebo.

Another study demonstrated that taking yohimbine two hours before exercise could improve the endurance metrics of cyclists, including distance, time, and the maximum oxygen uptake velocity (i.e., the rate at which an individual consumes the most oxygen).

Researchers do not fully understand how yohimbine affects athletic performance at the biological level, but they speculate that it may be because yohimbine is a stimulant that can increase blood flow and potentially help the body utilize energy immediately. However, taking excessive yohimbine may cause an accelerated heart rate or increased blood pressure. Moreover, researchers have also found that the efficacy of yohimbine may gradually weaken over time, and the optimal dosage and duration of supplementation have not been determined yet.

Yohimbine supplements are usually sold in capsule or powder form. You can also purchase yohimbe bark to make your own liquid extract. In the United States, there is a prescription drug called yohimbine hydrochloride (brand name Aphrodyne) used to treat erectile dysfunction. If you are prescribed this drug, take it as directed by your healthcare provider.

There is no standard recommended dosage for yohimbine. Some research suggests that the commonly recommended dosage of synthetic purified yohimbine is 5 - 10 milligrams (mg) three times a day. Other studies have found that the therapeutic dosage (the amount needed to be effective) of yohimbine ranges from 50 to 300 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

The human body may develop tolerance to yohimbine, meaning that the same amount of the drug becomes less effective after continuous use. Also, the human body consumes and metabolizes yohimbine quite rapidly. The half - life of orally administered yohimbine is approximately 30 minutes, which means it takes about this long for half of the dose to be eliminated from the body.

Although yohimbine is not banned in the United States, taking it poses many risks. Yohimbine can cause serious side effects such as heart attacks, seizures, as well as an increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Due to potential risks and frequent mislabeling, some other countries have banned or restricted the sale of yohimbine as a dietary supplement.

Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children should not take yohimbine orally. For safety reasons, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider before taking yohimbine.

If you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors to treat depression, including phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate), you should not take yohimbine. Additionally, there is evidence that yohimbine increases the release of norepinephrine, a vasoconstrictor. In this case, taking yohimbine may lead to poor blood pressure control in people taking antihypertensive or diuretic drugs.

Yohimbe is native to Central and West Africa and is an evergreen tree in the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants. You can find yohimbine sold as a supplement worldwide. Since herbal supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is advisable to purchase products that have been tested for purity and potency by a third - party. Reputable third - party testing organizations include ConsumerLab, NSF International, and the United States Pharmacopeia.

It should be noted that third - party testing does not guarantee that a product is necessarily safe or effective. It only means that the label is accurate and the product is not contaminated with other unlisted ingredients. One of the challenges with yohimbine supplements is that many products do not list the amount of yohimbine they contain, and the content can vary greatly among different supplements. It is difficult to find yohimbine supplements that have been third - party tested. Due to frequent and potentially dangerous mislabeling, yohimbine supplements are restricted or banned in some countries.

A study investigated 49 supplement brands sold in the US that claimed to contain yohimbine or yohimbine alkaloids to check the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their labels. Only 22% of the products indicated the specific yohimbine content on the label, and only 4% listed both the accurate yohimbine content and information about the known side effects of yohimbine.

Taking an overdose of yohimbine can lead to serious health problems and even death. However, the upper tolerance limit of yohimbine has not been determined. Several cases of yohimbine poisoning have been reported. In one case, a man took 0.2 grams of yohimbine, resulting in mild side effects such as anxiety and high blood pressure. However, in other cases, taking 3 grams or more of yohimbine led to coma, seizures, and death.

Yohimbine is associated with various risks and potential side effects. The side effects include:

Taking a higher dose of yohimbine, especially a dose exceeding 3 grams (g), significantly increases the risk of severe side effects such as coma and even death. Compared to taking synthetic yohimbine, taking yohimbe bark extract may increase the likelihood of side effects. This is because it can be more difficult to determine the correct dosage, and the bark may also contain other active ingredients.

Yohimbine is an evergreen tree native to Africa, and the active compounds in its bark are believed to help improve erectile dysfunction and athletic performance. However, research on these benefits is limited. Taking yohimbine can cause serious side effects, including nausea, palpitations, seizures, heart attacks, and in large doses, it may even lead to death. Before starting to take a new supplement, it is advisable to consult a reliable healthcare provider to ensure its safety and to avoid interactions with any medications or other supplements you are taking.