Is Yohimbine fat loss an actual phenomenon or simply an exaggeration of a handful case studies?

What Is It?

Pausinystalia johimbe or Yohimbe is a tree species local to central and Western Africa. The bark of Yohimbe has been utilized for various medicinal purposes and is considered a potent aphrodisiac (ask your parents). They key element in Yohimbe is the alkaloid Yohimbine.  For decades, it has been marketed in the West as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and for losing extra weight.

How (It’s Supposed) To Work 

Adipose (fat cells) have two types of binding sites for norepinephrine and epinephrine: two compounds strongly associated with regulating fat usage. When they bind to the beta sites on adipose cells, they increase fat metabolism. However when attached to alpha sites, particularly α₂, the compounds lower the rate of fat digestion.

Yohimbine serves as a α₂ antagonist, binding to the alpha sites and preventing norepinephrine and epinephrine from attaching to the alpha sites. This temporally increases their affinity to beta sites and elevates fat metabolism. There is also some evidence that Yohimbine promotes thermogenesis, the raising of body temperature that leads to more calories being burned.

Science Says…… 

Yohimbine has been studied for 30+ years, with early inquires providing no evidence of the compound’s fat-torching abilities.  More recent research suggests that there may be a fat loss benefit; but there’s catch. Yohimbine appears to reduce fat mass in athletic individuals (Read Here) without creating any health complications. Yohimbine however was shown to have no impact on normal individuals (Read Here), and may even augment cardiovascular problems for obese/overweight individuals (Read Here).  

Anything Else 

Yohimbine supplementation falls into two categories: Yohimbe extract and Yohimbine HCI. Yohimbe extract includes yohimbine and other substances found in Yohimbe bark whereas Yohimbine HCI is concentrated Yohimbine extract, usually synthesized. The higher the Yohimbine % in a supplement, the lower the dosage should be for consumption.  

 Evidence suggests that yohimbine is most effective when consumed alone in a fasted state (or between meals).

Yohimbine is unfortunately associated with several negative side effects. For starters, the increase in norepinephrine levels can induce anxiety, agitation, and panic in those vulnerable to these conditions.  For otherwise healthy persons, these feelings are only produced when Yohimbine is taken excessively. 

Yohimbine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, making it problematic for those with heart conditions and those taking cardiovascular medicine.   

Bouts of chest pain, vomiting, headaches, muscle tremors have been reported as a result of taking yohimbine beyond recommended dosages. Considering that similar reactions have been reported when overdosing on other medicines and supplements, this seems like a no brainer. For yohimbine supplements however, it appears that many are mislabeled (Read More), inaccurately reporting the amount of yohimbine and underreporting potentially adverse side effects. The ease of taking higher quantities of yohimbine as a result of imprecise labeling may explain why over the counter yohimbine supplements are banned throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada.

 Our Recommendation 

Yohimbine at most has a limited payoff when it comes to losing weight. Unless you are already in a fairly healthy shape, this will do nothing for your physique goals. The fact that so many Yohimbine supplements are mislabeled is troubling and the main reason why I cannot strongly recommend this. If you decide to us Yohimbine, start with lower dosages and stop immediately if something feels off. 

Dosage:

Daily: (From Examine.com)  

• 14 mg for a 150lb person
• 18 mg for a 200lb person
• 22 mg for a 250lb person