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Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board

Yohimbine

MODERATE EVIDENCESupplementLast updated April 2026

SCAN DOSE SUMMARY

Yohimbine is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist derived from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree. Our research shows it's the only supplement with direct mechanistic evidence for stubborn fat mobilization — it blocks the alpha-2 receptors that prevent lipolysis in problem areas (lower abdomen, thighs). However, it's also one of the most dangerous supplements available: it reliably increases heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, and has caused documented cases of cardiac arrhythmias and hypertensive crises.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Fat loss (specifically stubborn fat)Moderate — mechanism proven; clinical data limited (PMID: 17214405)
B-
Erectile dysfunctionModerate — pre-PDE5 inhibitor standard; still studied
B-
Exercise performanceLimited data
C
Blood pressure increaseConsistent, dose-dependent hypertension
⚠️ ADVERSE
Anxiety increaseUsed to INDUCE anxiety in panic disorder research
⚠️ ADVERSE

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

  • Fat loss: 0.2mg/kg body weight (14mg for 70kg person), fasted, pre-exercise
  • Erectile dysfunction: 5.4-10mg 3x/day (prescription yohimbine HCl)
  • Must be taken FASTED — insulin completely negates yohimbine's lipolytic effect
  • Start at 2.5-5mg to assess tolerance; increase gradually
Scan a supplement containing Yohimbine

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Stimulants (Adderall, caffeine, ephedrine)Severe

Additive sympathomimetic effects → hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia

Blood pressure medicationsSevere

Directly opposes antihypertensive effect (yohimbine RAISES BP)

SSRIs / antidepressantsSevere

Additive noradrenergic effects; may worsen anxiety/panic

MAO inhibitorsSevere

Hypertensive crisis risk — CONTRAINDICATED

Tricyclic antidepressantsSevere

Additive cardiovascular effects

ClonidineSevere

Directly opposes clonidine's alpha-2 agonism

NaltrexoneModerate

May enhance yohimbine's anxiogenic effects

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

  • Anxiety, panic attacks (yohimbine is USED to induce panic in research)
  • Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
  • Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
  • Tremor, sweating, flushing
  • Nausea, GI distress
  • Insomnia
  • At high doses: piloerection, mydriasis, salivation

⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY NOTE

Yohimbine bark extract (sold as "yohimbe") varies WILDLY in actual yohimbine content — testing found 0-12mg per capsule regardless of label claim (PMID: 26344461). Only pharmaceutical-grade yohimbine HCl allows reliable dosing. Yohimbe bark extract is essentially uncontrollable.

Pregnancy & Lactation

  • ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED — sympathomimetic effects, hypertension risk, insufficient safety data

WADA Status

Not Prohibited (but stimulant monitoring threshold applies)

WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL

HOW SCAN DOSE SCORES THIS

One of the highest-risk supplements in our databasecomparable to St. John's Wort for interaction severity
Yohimbine HCl (pharmaceutical grade): score as potent but manageable if properly dosed
Yohimbe bark extract: automatic severe quality concern flag (uncontrollable dosing)
ANY cardiovascular medication: automatic SEVERE interaction alert
ANY stimulant (including caffeine >200mg): automatic flag
Anxiety disorder in user profile: automatic contraindication
Products in "fat burner" blends with undisclosed yohimbine amounts: SEVERE flag

CLINICAL REFERENCES

1.

Ostojic SM. Yohimbine: the effects on body composition and exercise performance in soccer players.

PMID: 17214405

2.

Cohen PA et al. Yohimbe supplement labeling: How accurate is it? A study of yohimbe supplements.

PMID: 26344461

3.

Charney DS et al. Yohimbine and human anxiety research.

PMID: 2900643

4.

Riley AJ. Yohimbine in the treatment of erectile disorder.

PMID: 1987655

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Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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