Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid found in the bark of the Pausinystalia Yohimbe tree native to Central Africa. This tree has a long history of use in traditional African medicine.
Yohimbine alkaloids are the active ingredient in Yohimbe bark extract, which is available as a dietary supplement in the United States. Pure yohimbine alkaloids (in the form of Yohimbine HCL) are also used as a prescription medication for sexual function and more.
Yohimbe bark contains several different alkaloids, including corynanthine, raubasine, and Tetrahydroalistonine. Approximately 6% of raw yohimbe bark extract is composed of alkaloids, and yohimbine makes up 15% of that alkaloid content.
Yohimbine alkaloids have a stimulatory effect on the body, causing an increase in energy levels, sex drive, erectile function, fat metabolization and mental focus. Pure yohimbine supplements are most commonly used for sexual performance, weight loss, and bodybuilding.



- Helps promote fat loss
- Increases energy & suppresses appetite
- Promotes sex drive & performance
What are Yohimbine Alkaloids Used For?
Related Topics
- What is Yohimbine?
- Does Yohimbe Work?
- Yohimbine HCL
- Yohimbine Bark
- Yohimbe Extract
- Yohimbe Supplement
- Yohimbine Tablets
- Effects and Benefits
- Potential Side Effects
- Yohimbe Dosages
- Yohimbine Dosages
- Yohimbine for Weight Loss
- Yohimbe for Bodybuilding
- Yohimbe for Sexual Health
- Yohimbine Safety
- Yohimbine Reviews
- Is Yohimbine Safe?
- Buy Yohimbine
- Primaforce Yohimbine HCL
Taken as an oral supplement, yohimbine works as an aphrodisiac, to boost sexual performance, to energy, to support weight loss and to enhance cognitive function.
It has both recreational uses and medicinal uses. It may be prescribed by a doctor as part of a comprehensive treatment program to treat a variety of health concerns, such as orthostatic hypotension.
What are the purported health benefits of taking pure yohimbine supplements or powders? The exact benefits are somewhat speculative. There is insufficient evidence to rate its efficacy for many of its uses.
Yohimbine alkaloid extract may be helpful in improving certain types of erectile dysfunction. In most studies on the subject, men found it improved performance.
Some herbalists state that Yohimbe bark may actually be the better choice for erectile dysfunction, although there are no studies to prove that point.
Multiple clinical trials have found it improves sexual dysfunction in both men and women who take a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI for depression or another mood disorder.
As a supplement to improve exercise performance, its benefit remains unproven in clinical studies. One study found that it improved fat loss in competitive athletes, but did not increase muscle mass of exercise performance.
It may help those with orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is the head rush or dizzy spell some feel when they stand up suddenly. It occurs due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
How Does Pure Yohimbine Work?
Yohimbine has a high affinity for alpha-2-adrenergic receptors and moderate affinity for a number of alpha-1 receptors. When it binds to these receptors, it antagonizes them.
This means that it blocks these receptors from firing. For this reason, yohimbine alkaloids are referred to as alpha-2 blocking agents.
Yohimbine can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to specific areas of the body, especially sexual organs. In this way, it may help counteract some of the sexual side effects of medications used for depression. [1]
Some research has been conducted on the use of pure yohimbine HCL for weight loss, but the potential side effects make it problematic.
Alpha-2 receptors are sites that control the accumulation of fat tissue. The use of pure yohimbine alkaloids can increase the production of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the blood, which in turn stimulates the release of fatty acids to be oxidized, reducing fat storage.
There is also some indication that it may have antidiuretic effects. The increase of epinephrine can increase energy, as well.
Are Yohimbine Alkaloids Safe?
There are some safety concerns with this supplement, especially when used orally at high dosages. While it is considered to be safe when used under medical supervision, its use as a dietary supplement carries a higher risk of adverse effects.
Side effects may be related to users taking excess dosages, combining it with drugs or supplements that can cause unsafe reactions, or using it improperly.
Any use should be with the consent of your health care provider and short-term. This herbal ingredient is associated with a number of potentially serious side effects such as:
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Agitation
- Myocardial infarction
- Seizure
Research shows the drug may be used safely for as long as 10 weeks with medical supervision.
Use of this drug is not intended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Children should not use yohimbine in any form unless specifically requested by a doctor.
How to Counteract Yohimbine alkaloid Side Effects
If you experience yohimbine alkaloid side effects, stop using the product immediately. It is not right for everyone. You should contact your doctor for advice if you do have an adverse reaction.
Follow the instructions on the product carefully to avoid problems and limit your use of the drug to 10 weeks or less.
There is no reduction in side effects if you choose supplements with Yohimbe bark over the pure alkaloids. The bark contains the alkaloid, so their reactions are the same.
However, some yohimbe bark extract products may contain lower concentrations of yohimbine alkaloids. The side effect risk is largely determined by the effective dosage of yohimbine in the product.
There is also a risk inherent with using lower quality supplements. Product reviews have found significant variations in yohimbine alkaloid content across different brands of supplements.
Make sure any supplements you buy are manufactured by companies that follow cGMP standards and perform adequate testing for purity and concentration.
Recommended Dosages
The recommended pure yohimbine alkaloid dosage depends on why and how you take the supplement.
- As a treatment for erectile dysfunction, 5 – 100 mg of yohimbine is taken daily for up to eight weeks. It is usually divided into one to four separate doses.
- To improve orgasm for men not taking antidepressant drugs, research studies have started with 20 mg, and increased the dosage gradually to 50.
- For sexual dysfunction associated with SSRIs, some have used 15 to 18 mg daily in divided doses. Some research recommends taking a dose up to two to four hours before having sex for at least three weeks.
In all cases, it is recommended to start with the lowest effective dosage and not to increase the dose unless necessary.
Reviews of Yohimbine Products
The reviews are mixed about supplements containing yohimbine. In general, the importance of proper use is mentioned often.
Not following the recommended dosage provides less than positive results. A few users mention side effects, as well, such as nausea, anxiety and sweating.
Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement. Your doctor knows your history and health status and can make recommendations about whether pure yohimbine alkaloid supplements are right for you.
- WebMD Yohimbe
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Yohimbe. December 4, 2013
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Publication No.: D356. July 2012
- WebMD David Kiefer, MD. Do Yohimbe Supplements Work for ED?. November 3, 2015
- http://www.amazon.com/Primaforce-YOHIMBINE-HCI-2-5-CAPS/dp/B01EU0T218/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment