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Yohimbe (Yohimbine; Pausinystalia johimbe)
A potent stimulant bark whose alkaloid yohimbine has evidence for erectile dysfunction, but carries real cardiovascular and anxiety risks and unpredictable supplement potency.
What the evidence says
Most Yohimbe studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1995–2025.
Based on 11 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 1 RCT
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
A Moderate 5.0 reflects a meta-analysis supporting yohimbine for erectile dysfunction, offset by failed fat-loss/performance trials, serious cardiovascular and anxiety risks, and unpredictable bark potency.
2 trials ongoing or recruiting · 37 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
9 of the completed trials have posted results
Registered trials show research momentum for Yohimbe, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Yohimbe is the bark of the West African tree Pausinystalia johimbe; its active alkaloid, yohimbine, is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist that boosts noradrenaline and sympathetic activity.
Prescription-grade yohimbine has moderate evidence for erectile dysfunction (supported by a meta-analysis), and it is marketed in supplements for fat loss and 'energy' — but the fat-loss and athletic-performance evidence does not hold up: a controlled trial of topical yohimbine found no significant fat/girth loss, and systematic reviews do not support a performance benefit.
The serious caveats: yohimbine raises heart rate and blood pressure, can trigger anxiety, panic, and insomnia, and interacts dangerously with several medications. Compounding the risk, the yohimbine content of yohimbe-bark supplements is notoriously variable and often mislabeled, making dosing unpredictable.
This is a use-with-caution supplement, not a casual one — its credible benefit is for erectile dysfunction, not weight loss.
Blocks pre-synaptic alpha-2 receptors, increasing noradrenaline release and sympathetic 'fight-or-flight' activity.
Sympathetic changes can increase blood flow relevant to erectile function.
Alpha-2 blockade in fat tissue can increase fat mobilization in theory, more so when fasted — but this has not translated into demonstrated clinical fat or weight loss.
Avoid — yohimbine raises heart rate and blood pressure.
Avoid — can provoke anxiety and panic.
Avoid.
Avoid — dangerous interactions.
Risk of dangerous blood-pressure surge (hypertensive crisis) — do not combine.
Additive noradrenergic effects; raised blood pressure and anxiety.
Additive cardiovascular stimulation — raised heart rate/blood pressure, arrhythmia risk.
Yohimbine can counteract antihypertensives and destabilize blood pressure.
May increase blood pressure and side effects.
Tip: Use lowest dose; avoid if any cardiovascular risk
Tip: Take early in the day; reduce dose or stop
Tip: Reduce dose
Tip: Discontinue and seek care; avoid in anxiety/cardiac conditions
Yohimbe has an evidence score of 5/10 — moderate evidence based on 11 indexed studies, including 1 meta-analysis. A potent stimulant bark whose alkaloid yohimbine has evidence for erectile dysfunction, but carries real cardiovascular and anxiety risks and unpredictable supplement potency. Representative study: PMID 9649257.
The commonly studied dose of Yohimbe is Standardized yohimbine ~5-10mg (or ~0.2mg/kg) up to 1-2x daily; start at the lowest dose. Raw yohimbe bark is discouraged due to unpredictable content.. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Yohimbe is in the morning. It can be taken on an empty stomach. Taken earlier in the day (often fasted) because of its stimulant, sleep-disrupting effects; never late in the day.
Yohimbe should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. The most commonly reported side effects are increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, headache, nausea, sweating. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Hypertension or cardiovascular disease; Anxiety, panic, or other psychiatric disorders; Kidney or liver disease.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 11 studies · how we score · editorial policy
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.