Yohimbe for Sports & Fitness
Botanical name: Pausinystalia yohimbe
Why do athletes use it?*
Some athletes say that yohimbe
What do the advocates say?*
As a stimulant, yohimbe may theoretically increase fat metabolism. The main alkaloid in
yohimbe is yohimbine, which can be toxic if used in excess amounts. This alkaloid blocks a
particular receptor that increases sympathetic nervous system output so you get more
adrenaline and, thus, increased metabolism.
Warning: This stimulant puts stress on the heart, which is especially dangerous for
anyone with a heart condition. Yohimbe should only be used under the supervision of a
doctor.
How much is usually taken by athletes?
The ability of yohimbine, a chemical found in yohimbe bark, to stimulate the nervous
system,1 2 promote the release of fat from fat cells,3
4 and affect the cardiovascular system has led to claims that yohimbe might help
athletic performance or improve body composition.5 However, a double-blind study of
men who were not dieting reported no effect of up to 43 mg per day of yohimbine on weight or
body composition after six months.6 No research has tested yohimbe herb for effects
on body composition, and no human research has investigated the ability of yohimbine or
yohimbe to affect athletic performance. Other studies have determined that a safe daily amount
of yohimbine is 15 to 30 mg.7 However, people with kidney disorders should not take
yohimbe, and side effects of nausea, dizziness, or nervousness may occur that necessitate
reducing or stopping yohimbe supplementation.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Patients with kidney disease, peptic ulcer
or pregnant or breast-feeding women should not
use yohimbe.8 Standard amounts may occasionally cause dizziness, nausea, insomnia,
anxiety, increased blood pressure, and
rapid heart beat,9 though all of these are rare.10 Using more than 40 mg
of yohimbine per day can cause dangerous side effects, including loss of muscle function,
chills, and vertigo. Some people will also experience hallucinations when taking higher
amounts of yohimbine.11 Taking 200 mg yohimbine in one case led to only a brief
episode of hypertension, palpitations, and anxiety.12 People with post-traumatic
stress disorder13 and panic disorder14 should avoid yohimbe as it may
worsen their condition.
Foods with high amounts of tyramine (such
as cheese, red wine, and liver) should not be eaten while a person is taking
yohimbe, as they may theoretically cause severe high blood pressure and other problems.
Similarly, yohimbe should only be combined with other antidepressant drugs under the
supervision of a physician, though at least one study suggests it may benefit those who are
not responding to serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac®).15
Are there any drug
interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with yohimbe. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
Parts used and where grown
Yohimbe is a tall evergreen forest tree native to southwestern Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon,
and the Congo. The bark of this African tree is used medicinally. There are concerns, however,
that the tree may be endangered due to over-harvesting for use as medicine.
*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for yohimbe based
on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials
that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific
articles on yohimbe. For more complete and detailed information, including references and
safety information, see Yohimbe as an herbal
remedy.
References:1. Mosqueda-Garcia R, Fernandez-Violante R, Tank J, et al. Yohimbine in
neurally mediated syncope. Pathophysiological implications. J Clin Invest
1998;102:1824-30.
2. Goldberg MR, Robertson D. Yohimbine: a pharmacological probe for the
study of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor. Pharmacol Rev 1983;35:143-180
3. Galitzky J, Taouis M, Berlan M, et al. Alpha 2-antagonist compounds
and lipid mobilization: evidence for a lipid mobilizing effect of oral yohimbine in healthy
male volunteers. Eur J Clin Invest 1988;18:587-94.
4. Zahorska-Markiewicz B, Kucio C, Piskorska D. Adrenergic control of
lipolysis and metabolic responses in obesity. Horm Metab Res 1986;18:693-7.
5. Waluga M, Janusz M, Karpel E, et al. Cardiovascular effects of
ephedrine, caffeine and yohimbine measured by thoracic electrical bioimpedance in obese women.
Clin Physiol 1998;18:69-76.
6. Sax L. Yohimbine does not affect fat distribution in men. Int J
Obes 1991;15:561-5.
7. Goldberg KA. Yohimbine in the treatment of male erectile sexual
dysfunction-a clinical review. Today’s Ther Trends J New Dev Clin Med
1996;14:25-33.
8. Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons,
1998, 3659.
9. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 382–3.
10. Goldberg KA. Yohimbine in the treatment of male erectile sexual
dysfunction—a clinical review. Today’s Ther Trends J New Dev Clin Med
1996;14:25–33.
11. Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis: Facts and
Comparisons, 1998, 3659.
12. Friesen K, Palatnick W, Tenenbein M. Benign course after massive
ingestion of yohimbine. J Emerg Med 1993;11:287–8.
13. Bremner JD, Innis RB, Ng CK, et al. Positron emission tomography
measurement of cerebral metabolic correlates of yohimbine administration in combat-related
posttraumatic stress disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1997;54:246–54.
14. Charney DS, Woods SW, Goodman WK, Heninger GR. Neurobiological
mechanisms of panic anxiety: Biochemical and behavioral correlates of yohimbine-induced panic
attacks. Am J Psychiatry 1987;144:1030–6.
15. Cappiello A, McDougle CJ, Maleson RT, et al. Yohimbine augmentation
of fluvoxamine in refractory depression: A single-blind study. Biol Psychol
1995;38:765–7.