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Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)
A Coleus forskohlii compound that activates cAMP, marketed for fat loss. One small men's RCT showed favorable body-composition/testosterone changes, but a women's study found no fat loss — overall the weight-loss evidence is weak and inconsistent.
What the evidence says
Most Forskolin studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality randomised trials published 2005–2021 with a typical study size of 30 participants.
Based on 3 studies · 3 RCTs · 53 total participants
Confidence
ModerateBy outcome
Forskolin has an evidence score of 3/10 — emerging evidence based on 3 indexed studies. A Coleus forskohlii compound that activates cAMP, marketed for fat loss. One small men's RCT showed favorable body-composition/testosterone changes, but a women's study found no fat loss — overall the weight-loss evidence is weak and inconsistent. Representative study: PMID 16129715.
The commonly studied dose of Forskolin is 250mg of 10% forskolin extract twice daily (≈50mg forskolin/day) in studies. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
Explore: Best supplements for Vitality & Longevity
Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 3 studies · how we score
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Forskolin is a diterpene from the Indian coleus plant (Coleus forskohlii) that activates adenylate cyclase, raising cellular cAMP — which theoretically promotes lipolysis. It's marketed as a fat-burner. The honest picture: a small randomized trial in overweight men (Godard 2005) found favorable body-composition changes and a rise in testosterone, but a separate study in women found no fat loss, and the overall human evidence is weak and inconsistent. cAMP activation also underlies non-weight uses (e.g. dermatology, glaucoma research). Not a reliable weight-loss aid.
Activates adenylate cyclase, raising cAMP, which promotes lipolysis in theory.
cAMP-driven fat breakdown — modest/inconsistent in humans.
How Forskolin works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
250mg of 10% forskolin extract twice daily (≈50mg forskolin/day) in studies
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Coleus forskohlii (10% forskolin) | Recommended |
Weak/inconsistent for weight.
Minimum: 8 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: With meals; weak evidence.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Forskolin does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
Favored lean mass in one small men's trial.
No fat loss in a women's study; weak overall.
Use caution — vasodilatory/antiplatelet effects.
Avoid.
Forskolin is vasodilatory/hypotensive — additive BP-lowering.
May increase bleeding risk.
Tip: Caution with antihypertensives
Tip: Take with food
The best time to take Forskolin is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with meals; evidence is weak so set expectations low.
Forskolin is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. The most commonly reported side effects are low blood pressure / flushing, GI upset. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Low blood pressure (forskolin is vasodilatory); Bleeding disorders / anticoagulant use; Use with blood-pressure medication.
Absorbs up to 50x its weight in water, creating strong satiety — supports weight loss, blood sugar regulation, and cholesterol reduction.
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