Yohimbe
Pausinystalia yohimbe
Also known as: Yohimbine, Corynanthe yohimbe, Quebrachine, Aphrodine, Yohimex
Evidence Strength: LIMITED
This ingredient receives a unclassified risk score due to safety concerns identified by health authorities in USA, Canada. Scientific evidence indicates yohimbine acts primarily as an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, leading to increased…. Reported adverse effects include nausea and dizziness.
Safety Profile
Common Adverse Effects
- Nausea
- dizziness
- headache
- anxiety
- increased heart rate
Serious Adverse Effects
- Hypertension
- arrhythmias
- seizures
- renal failure
- myocardial infarction
Contraindications
- Hypertension
- anxiety disorders
- cardiovascular disease
- renal impairment
- People taking Antidepressants
- liver disease
Interactions
| Drug / Nutrient | Interaction Mechanism | Warning |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | increased risk of serotonin syndrome — caution advised. Antihypertensives: potential antagonism — monitor blood pressure. Stimulants: additive effects on heart rate and blood pressure — avoid combination. MAO inhibitors: increased risk of hypertensive crisis — contraindicated. Anticoagulants: potential increased bleeding risk — monitor closely. | Monitor |
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Chemical Class
- Alkaloid
- Biological Class
- Plant extract
- Natural Source
- Pausinystalia yohimbe bark
- Scientific Name
- Pausinystalia yohimbe
- Chemical Formula
- C21H26N2O3
- CAS Number
- 146-48-5
Mechanism of Action
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
| Indication | Evidence Level | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| General | Moderate | Clinical evidence on yohimbe's efficacy is mixed, with some studies showing benefits for erectile dysfunction and sexual performance, while others indicate limited effects. Research on its use for weight loss and athletic performance is less robust, with few high-quality trials available. The variability in yohimbe extract composition and yohimbine content complicates the interpretation of results. Overall, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses. |
Pharmacokinetics
Recommended Dosage
| Condition / Use | Typical Dose |
|---|---|
| Erectile Dysfunction | 5-10 mg three times daily. Weight Loss: 10-20 mg per day. Athletic Performance: 0.2 mg/kg body weight. |
Dosage ranges are based on clinical studies and commonly used supplement formulations. Individual requirements may vary.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 6 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Yohimbe is a herbal supplement derived from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree, native to Central Africa.
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Yohimbe poses significant safety concerns due to its potent pharmacological effects and narrow therapeutic window. It is contraindicated in individuals with cardiovascular conditions, anxiety disorders, and renal impairment. The variability in yohimbine content among supplements raises additional safety issues. Regulatory agencies have issued warnings about its use, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.
- USA/FDA — Approved
The available scientific evidence for Yohimbe indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 6/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 8/20 |
| Study recency | 8/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 9/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 6 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 6 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 მარ 2026, 12:01
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMultifaced Nature of Yohimbine-A Promising Therapeutic Potential or a Risk? ↗Nowacka A et al.. Multifaced Nature of Yohimbine-A Promising Therapeutic Potential or a Risk?. Int J Mol Sci. 2024. PMID:39684567.PMID 39684567 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39684567/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNon-targeted chemical analysis of consumer botanical products labeled as blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), or yohimbe bark (Pausinystalia yohimbe) by… ↗Quiroz-Delfi GO et al.. Non-targeted chemical analysis of consumer botanical products labeled as blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), or yohimbe bark (Pausinystalia yohimbe) by NMR and MS.. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2024. PMID:37910202.PMID 37910202 ↗Journal Anal Bioanal ChemYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37910202/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBiomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin. ↗Lo Faro AF et al.. Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin.. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2020. PMID:31704129.PMID 31704129 ↗Journal J Pharm Biomed AnalYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31704129/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAlkaloids with Immunosuppressive Activity from the Bark of Pausinystalia yohimbe. ↗Liu Y et al.. Alkaloids with Immunosuppressive Activity from the Bark of Pausinystalia yohimbe.. J Nat Prod. 2018. PMID:30059216.PMID 30059216 ↗Journal J Nat ProdYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30059216/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWChromatographic fingerprinting as a strategy to identify regulated plants in illegal herbal supplements. ↗Custers D et al.. Chromatographic fingerprinting as a strategy to identify regulated plants in illegal herbal supplements.. Talanta. 2017. PMID:28107963.PMID 28107963 ↗Journal TalantaYear 2017Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28107963/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWYohimbine. ↗Yohimbine.. 2012. PMID:31644013.PMID 31644013 ↗Year 2012Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31644013/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
High volume of active regulatory or adverse-event signals
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Yohimbe. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a high safety concern. Its use in dietary supplements is associated with documented adverse events.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the High classification for Yohimbe
A score of 7.0 places this ingredient in the High band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
2 active signals (highest severity: Critical). Each active signal raises S above the neutral baseline of 0.5.
1 jurisdiction has active restrictions or advisories. Regulatory signals are recorded as Safety Signals and raise the S component.
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.