Yohimbe, also known scientifically as Pausinystalia Yohimbe, is an evergreen plant whose bark has traditionally been used in Africa to treat fever, cough, heart disease, and leprosy. An extract of the bark has also been utilized traditionally as an aphrodisiac, hallucinogen, and anesthetic. Today, in the West, it's commonly employed to treat Erectile dysfunction.
The chemical responsible for these claimed effects is referred to as Yohimbine. There are numerous potential risks with Yohimbe supplementation, in such a way that certain countries have imposed bans on these supplements. Due to the possibility of risks and possible side consequences, talking to a health practitioner before taking Yohimbe is essential.
Benefits of Yohimbe
Yohimbe is used most often to treat erectile dysfunction, but some utilize it to boost athletic performance. Although a majority of experts are against using Yohimbe because of its potential risks, a few studies have provided evidence supporting these advantages.
May Help Improve Erectile Dysfunction
The most well-known benefit of yohimbe has to do with improving Erectile dysfunction. A few studies suggest this.
Certain studies have shown the use of yohimbe in treating Erectile dysfunction. For instance, one study found that taking 10.8 milligrams (mg) of yohimbine every day enhanced erectile performance and sexual satisfaction among men of various ages. Researchers believe this may be because Yohimbe inhibits alpha-2-adrenergic receptors that prevent erections.
Some studies have also shown the effectiveness of yohimbine in treating Erectile dysfunction when used in conjunction with other supplements like L-arginine because of both supplements' capacity to boost penis blood flow. The research has shown Yohimbe to be especially beneficial for mild and moderate cases of sexual dysfunction.
Despite the possibility of yohimbe to treat the erectile problem, experts have not recommend it as a routine treatment for the erectile dysfunction.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
May Enhance Athletic Performance
A new study suggests that Yohimbe could be beneficial in improving performance in athletics.
One study revealed that males taking 2.5 milligrams (mg) of Yohimbe just 20 minutes before exercise had greater power output in repeated sprints. The participants who took Yohimbe had lower fatigue levels than people who used placebo. Placebo.
Another study revealed that consuming Yohimbe for two hours before exercising increased the endurance metrics among cyclists, including distance, time, and the speed at which oxygen is absorbed maximally (the velocity at which a person uses the most significant amount of oxygen).
Researchers aren't sure exactly how Yohimbe affects athletic performance at a physiological level. However, they believe it's because it is a stimulant that increases blood flow and could help by enhancing energy availability.
But taking too much yohimbe can result in rapid heartbeats or increase blood pressure. Researchers have also observed that the effects of Yohimbe can diminish with time; however, they aren't able to determine the optimal dosage or duration.
How to Take Yohimbe
Yohimbe supplements are generally available in powders or capsules. You can also buy some of the plant's bark to create the liquid extract yourself.
There's also a prescription medication available within the United States called Yohimbine hydrochloride (brand name Aphrodyne) that is used to treat erectile dysfunction. If you're prescribed this medication, follow your doctor's instructions on the best way to take it.
Dosage
There isn't a prescribed dose for Yohimbe, which is a standard. Certain studies indicate that the standard dosage of synthetic, purified yohimbine ranges from 5 to 10 milligrams (mg) thrice daily. Studies have also found that therapeutic doses (the amount required to be efficient) of yohimbine vary between 50 and 300 nanograms per milliliter in the blood.
A person may develop tolerance to yohimbine so that the same amount of the drug will become less effective over time with regular use. It also absorbs and processes yohimbine exceptionally quickly. When consumed by mouth, yohimbine has a half-life of around 30 minutes. This means it takes time for most of the dose to disappear from the body.
Is Yohimbe Safe?
While Yohimbe isn't prohibited within the United States, it has several risks. Yohimbe has been linked to severe side effects, such as seizures and heart attacks, and also an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Because of the risk of exposure and frequent mislabeling, some nations have imposed restrictions or banned the sale of Yohimbe as a food supplement.
Breastfeeding and pregnant women as well as children should not take Yohimbe orally.
Because of safety concerns, you should talk to your doctor before you begin taking Yohimbe.
Potential Drug Interactions
Yohimbe is not recommended if you're taking monoamine oxidase medication for depression, such as phenelzine (Nardil) as well as tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Evidence suggests that yohimbine enhances the release of norepinephrine, a vasoconstrictor (narrows the blood vessels). In this instance, it is possible that yohimbe consumption can result in low blood pressure in patients taking diuretic or antihypertensive medications.
What to Look For
Yohimbe is an evergreen plant in the Rubiaceae family of flowers native to the western and central regions of Africa. It can be found as a supplement worldwide.
Herbal supplements aren't subject to regulation through the FDA. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends buying products tested by third parties to determine purity and effectiveness. Trustworthy third-party testing companies are ConsumerLab, NSF International, and U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Third-party testing does not guarantee the product's security or efficiency; it simply ensures that the label is true and that it has not been affected by any other ingredients that aren't listed.
One problem with consuming Yohimbine is that many products don't disclose the amount of yohimbine in them, and the amount of yohimbine in every supplement may differ significantly. Finding a third party that has tested the Yohimbe supplements is a challenge. Yohimbe supplements are either restricted or even banned in some countries due to frequent, risky mislabeling.
A study looked at the labels of 49 brands of supplements within the United States claiming to contain Yohimbine or Yohimbe to determine the quality and accuracy of labeling. Only 22% of the products had a specific amount of yohimbine on the label, and only 4% provided accurate information about the amount of yohimbine as well as information about the adverse effects that have been reported for yohimbine.
Can You Take Too Much Yohimbe?
Consuming too much yohimbe could result in serious health problems and even death. There aren't any specific acceptable upper limits for the Yohimbe.
Some cases of yohimbine-related intoxication have been documented. In one instance, one man consumed 0.2 grams (g) of yohimbine, which resulted in moderate side effects, such as hypertension and anxiety. However in other instances, using more than 3 grams (g) or more resulted in seizures, unconsciousness or death.
Side Effects of Yohimbe
Yohimbe can be associated with various risks and possible adverse negative effects. The most common side effects are:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Stomach problems
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Drowsiness
Injecting more Yohimbe, in particular over three grams (g), can increase the possibility of serious adverse consequences such as unconsciousness or even death.9 Dosing too much Yohimbe could cause:
- Hypertension (low blood pressure)
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusing or disorientation
- Tremors
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Death
Using extracts from the Yohimbe plant itself, as opposed to consuming a synthetic form of yohimbine, can increase the chance of suffering adverse effects. This is because it could be more challenging to determine the appropriate dosage, and there could also be other active ingredients within the bark.
A Quick Review
Yohimbe is an evergreen tree native to Africa. Its bark is believed to contain active substances that may improve erectile dysfunction and athletic performance. However, research on the benefits of this tree is not extensive.
The use of Yohimbe could cause severe side effects that range from heart palpitations and nausea to heart attacks, seizures, or even death if consumed in high doses.
It is always recommended to consult with a trusted health professional prior to starting any new supplementation to ensure that it is safe and will not interact with any medication or other supplements that you're taking.