Yohimbe for Sports & Fitness

Botanical name: Pausinystalia yohimbe

Why do athletes use it?*

Some athletes say that yohimbe

helps boost metabolism.

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.

Special United Kingdom considerations

Yohimbe may be prescribed by a doctor or dispensed under the supervision of a chemist.

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.

Resources

See a list of books, periodicals, and other resources for this and related topics.

*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
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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.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.