Yohimbe Side Effects, Health Risks and Warnings

Yohimbe side effects need to be considered before taking this dietary supplement. Yohimbe is a shrub-like tree native to Central Africa used by indigenous people for treating several health conditions.

Specifically, yohimbe bark extracts containing alkaloids affecting central nervous system functioning are valued for their aphrodisiac properties. They are also used by bodybuilders to burn fat and as a nootropic energy booster.

While generally well tolerated at low doses, studies show that high dosages of Yohimbe bark extract can cause serious side effects and toxicity.

Due to the high risk of adverse effects, it is important to consult with a doctor before using this supplement. It is also important to closely adhere to recommended dosages to limit the risk of Yohimbe supplement side effects.

Yohimbine

Herbal Supplement

Weight Loss

Energy

Libido

How It Works:

• Helps promote fat loss
• Increases energy & suppresses appetite
• Promotes sex drive & performance

Dosage:

Between 5-50 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Unsafe

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What is Yohimbe?

The Yohimbe tree grows in Central Africa and has been used as a traditional remedy for hundreds of years. The bark of the tree was traditionally brewed into a tea.

Yohimbe bark is easy to remove from the tree and exhibits both sapwood and inner heartwood that is relatively hard and dense.

Dietary supplements containing yohimbine (the active ingredient in yohimbe extract) have grown in popularity among men with erectile and/or sexual dysfunction. Dieters also claim that yohimbine supplements help facilitate fat loss.

Consequently, the demand for yohimbe bark has threatened the plant’s sustainability due to over-exploitation by African countries exporting large quantities of yohimbe bark extract to the U.S. and European countries. [1]

Side Effects of Yohimbe Bark

Yohimbe bark extract (yohimbine) contains numerous alkaloids with unstable and undefined properties. There have been instances of serious health problems reported from taking yohimbine.

There remains concern about its overall safety until further research can be completed. [2]

Yohimbine’s antagonistic effects on the certain brain receptors can cause some people to experience panic and anxiety due to increasing levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

This response is especially evident in people already diagnosed with panic disorder or are susceptible to suffering panic attacks. [3]

Men taking 5.4 milligrams of yohimbine three times a day for erectile dysfunction have reported nervousness, dizziness, nausea and stomachache. HIgher dosages up to 20 milligrams may induce dangerous side effects including hypertension, tachycardia, panic and chest pain. [4]

In most cases of people reporting adverse symptoms from taking yohimbe bark extract, it is the interaction with yohimbine and specific foods that tend to exacerbate palpitations, hypertension and anxiety. [5]

Yohimbe Extract Safety

Yohimbine, or yohimbine hydrochloride, is a prescription drug in the U.S. considered safe for short-term use under the supervision of a doctor.

Using yohimbe extract unsupervised presents potential health risks for people suffering undiagnosed medical conditions. Children should never be given yohimbe bark extract nor should pregnant or nursing women take yohimbine.

Accidently overdosing on yohimbe may provoke allergic-type responses such as difficulty breathing, hives, swelled tongue/throat and fever spike. Yohimbe may also cause adverse effects including: [6]

• Increase bleeding risk in hemophiliacs or those with bleeding disorders
• Worsen symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Elevate or reduce blood pressure. Large doses of yohimbine may cause blood pressure to drop suddenly; smaller amounts raise blood pressure, especially in those with hypertension
• Interfere with the ability of diabetic drugs to regulate blood glucose levels

Complicating evidence of yohimbe extract safety are studies that found content of yohimbine in commercial supplements vary significantly.

In many cases, the amount of yohimbine claimed to be in the supplement did not match laboratory analysis results, with some supplements void of yohimbine containing other ingredients not specified on labels. [7]

Dangerous Effects Reported for Yohimbine Use

In 2010, the Annals of Pharmacotherapy published a retrospective review of adverse drug events reported to the California Poison Control System from Yohimbine users.

The review found that there were 238 cases of yohimbine adverse events reported between 2000 and 2006. The study found that 98.7% of these cases involved herbal yohimbine supplements compared to the prescription yohimbine HCL pills.

The supplement was used for, “sexual enhancement (27.7%), weight loss (9.2%), and stimulant effects (7.6%).”

According to the review, the most commonly reported Yohimbe supplement side effects were gastrointestinal distress (stomach discomfort), tachycardia (abnormally rapid heart rate), agitation and hypertension (elevated blood pressure).

The reviewers also noted that the adverse side effect were significantly more serious than the average severity of negative effects reported for other supplements.

Yohimbe Long-Term Side Effects

Reviews of yohimbe studies investigating the alkaloid’s long-term side effects on people taking yohimbe bark extract or yohimbine hydrochloride are missing from literature.

Regular monitoring of vitals and blood chemistry by a healthcare professional is therefore recommended for those who take yohimbe daily and plan to keep taking it daily for an extended period.

How to Reduce the Side Effects of Yohimbe

To reduce yohimbe bark side effects, users should take yohimbe supplements or prescriptions on an empty stomach.

Only use this supplement after consulting with a doctor. Take only the minimal dose needed to correct erectile dysfunction, as an aid in weight loss or for other reasons specified by a physician.

Research indicates that higher doses of yohimbe results in more severe side effects encompassing all physiological systems.

In addition, pre-existing medical conditions involving the liver, kidney and heart may exacerbate yohimbe side effects arising from adrenaline and noradrenaline release.

Dietary restrictions are also recommended to help reduce side effects. Foods that may significantly raise blood pressure when combined with yohimbine include coffee, chocolate, wine and tyramine-rich foods such as cheese, fava beans, sausages, fish and pickled meats. [8]

Yohimbe Interaction Warnings

Yohimbe bark extract may interact unfavorably with the following medications and cause serious health risks: [9]

• Antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs
• Antihypertensives such as Clonidine or Wytensin meant to reduce blood pressure
• Medications that are altered and broken down by liver enyzmes (yohimbe decreases effectiveness of liver enzymatic processes). Drugs changed by liver actions include Elavil, Demerol, Prozac and Norpramin
• Antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications (yohimbe’s stimulating effects on the CNS may inhibit blood clotting)
• Antipsychotics (phenothiazines) exhibit similar effects to side effects of yohimbe. Taking yohimbe with antipsychotic medications may increase intensity and number of yohimbe side effects
• Prescription or over-the-counter drugs containing stimulants. These include sinus pills (Sudafed), ADHD medications, diet pills and EpiPens.

How Much Yohimbe is Safe?

For treatment of erectile dysfunction, men have taken 5.4 milligrams three times daily to relieve impotency. Starting at a lower dose of 2.7 milligrams three times daily and gradually increasing to 5.4 milligrams seems to help reduce side effects in some men. [10]

In scientific research, safe yohimbe dosages have been as high as 30 milligrams daily for sexual dysfunction. Ten to 20 milligrams of yohimbe bark extract have been given to PTSD patients for the purpose of investigating yohimbe’s effects on fear conditioning and virtual reality exposure.

Athletes are known to take 20 milligrams of yohimbe to improve performance while depressed, clinical trial subjects have been provided with five to 30 milligrams of yohimbine for ten days with suffering long-term health problems. [11], [12]

Referencing the unpredictability of yohimbe’s alkaloids, people taking yohimbine supplements not prescribed by a physician should start with the smallest dose possible to assess side effects and benefits before continuing on to higher doses.

If you do experience serious yohimbe side effects, stop taking the product and seek out medical attention.

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