The drug yohimbine: use in bodybuilding for weight loss

Author: Slauta Alexander - sports nutrition specialist and gym trainer | more details >> Graduated from: Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after M. Tank. Specialty: social work, pedagogy. Courses on health-improving fitness and bodybuilding at the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture, at the department of health-improving physical culture. Master of Masters in arm wrestling, 1st adult category in hand-to-hand combat. Prize-winner of the Cup of the Republic of Belarus in hand-to-hand combat. Prize-winner of the Republican Dynamyade in hand-to-hand combat.

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If you are involved in professional sports or are simply preparing your body for the beach season, then you have probably thought about using fat burners and increasing your performance during the training process. If we take almost any fat burner with a thermogenic effect, we will see that it contains yohimbine hydrochloride (Yohimbine HCL). In this article, I will analyze the beneficial properties of this substance, tell you how it is used in fitness and analyze the myth that is common among bodybuilders about increasing testosterone production with the help of this drug.

So, Yohimbine is a substance obtained from the African plant Yohimbe, which grows in African countries and is sold in the form of an extract to increase male libido. The drug has a strong stimulating and sympatholytic effect. It is often used to treat impotence and improve libido in men.

What is Yohimbine

Yohimbine is a natural stimulating alkaloid derived from the African yohimbe plant. The substance is an aphrodisiac and increases libido, due to stimulation of the central nervous system it has a positive effect on male potency.

In sports, yohimbine began to be used as a fat burner, since the substance has a lipolytic effect. Therefore, in sports, yohimbine is taken during drying to accelerate the burning of subcutaneous fat.

How is yohimbine useful in bodybuilding?

Sports supplements based on yohimbine began to be used in the pre-competition period of athletes, since the substance blocks alpha2-adrenergic receptors, which are responsible for the accumulation of fat, accordingly, this allows fat to be used more quickly to release energy, without storing it in storage.

By taking a fat burning supplement, the athlete gets more strength for training, as additional energy is released from fatty acids, which, with the help of yohimbine, are more quickly transported to the muscles.

For example, women have more alpha2-adrenergic receptors in areas of greatest accumulation of fat - on the thighs and lower abdomen, so the supplement, by blocking these receptors, helps prevent the accumulation of new fat deposits and promote the destruction of old ones.

The supplement has no effect on increasing testosterone, so it is also allowed for women.

Reception features

You shouldn’t immediately start a Prima course with a handful of tablets in the hope of instant results. They always start with one pill, and if side effects do not bother you, then you can increase the dosage to 2-3 tablets.

It is not recommended to chew the pills, otherwise a substance harmful to them will remain on the enamel. It is better to take the tablets with water, and you need to drink at least half a glass of liquid. Thanks to clean water, the dietary supplement is completely absorbed in the stomach and subsequently eliminated.

The first tablet should be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. Next, 4 hours should be noted, and only after this time is the next dose allowed. However, there are the following rules that are also important to adhere to:

• If the interval between meals and taking pills is less than 4 hours, then fat burning will occur more slowly than desired.
• Do not take the pills with food, including during any snack. If you neglect this rule, you can provoke a sharp deterioration in health and a jump in blood sugar.

Pros and cons of yohimbine in sports nutrition

Benefits for men and women:

• First of all, it has a positive effect on potency in men.
• Has an antidepressant effect and improves mood.
• Allows weight loss and has a lipolytic effect.
• The substance causes virtually no side effects, is well tolerated and is quickly eliminated from the body.

Cons and side effects:

• The supplement stimulates the central nervous system; overdose or late use can cause irritation and insomnia.
• May increase blood pressure.
• Tachycardia may occur.
• May cause headache or dizziness.

Benefits, harms and side effects

The beneficial properties of the compound are:

• Increased thermogenesis (fat burning).
• Increases heart rate and physical activity, elevates mood.
• Increased male libido, if the latter is associated with stress and overwork.
• Stimulates the central nervous system and improves concentration.

But you need to take into account the possible harm of yohimbine, since it is a strong stimulant. The risk of side effects is especially high when combined with other stimulants and neurological drugs.

The main side effects when taken in recommended doses are digestive disorders and abdominal discomfort. The following negative reactions are also possible:

• gastrointestinal disorders;
• increased blood pressure;
• state of anxiety;
• There are known cases of seizures and loss of consciousness.

The study noted a case in which a 16-year-old girl, after taking a significant dose of yohimbine for 36 hours, experienced headache, anxiety, nausea, chest pain and increased heart rate.
During a bodybuilding competition, a participant who took 5 grams of the drug lost consciousness and felt convulsions. Circulatory disorders and neurological side effects were observed for 22 hours after administration. The most common cause of side effects is an overdose due to gross discrepancies between the actual content of the component in sports supplements and the labeling.

How and when to take yohimbine for men

In sports, the acceptable dosage of yohimbine is 10-20 mg per day. Some manufacturers add yohimbe extract, so the dosage is indicated from 500 to 2000 mg per serving.

For each brand of sports nutrition, the dosage and content of yohimbine in the complex varies greatly, so there is no uniform recommendation for taking sports dietary supplements. Carefully study the composition of the drugs and methods of administration. One company has a daily dose of 2 capsules, while other brands have a daily dose of 6 capsules.

It is recommended to take the drug half an hour before meals to enhance the effect of the drug. Capsules are washed down with water. Subsequent use is recommended between meals.

Important! To improve erectile function, the drug and dosage can only be prescribed by a doctor.

The drugs are taken in courses of 1 to 2 months, then a break is taken or the season of weight gain begins.

Avoid taking the substance after lunch and late at night , otherwise stimulation of the nervous system will negatively affect sleep.

Overdose

In case of an overdose of the drug, the symptoms described in the side effects appear, only more pronounced. Several may appear at once.

It could be:

• sudden onset of feelings of anxiety, fear;
• a sharp increase or decrease in pressure;
• migraine with severe dizziness;
• vomiting, sharp pain in the stomach;
• diarrhea;
• strong tremors in the hands.

Symptoms of overdose occur 30-45 minutes after taking the drug. Before the ambulance arrives, begin gastric lavage. It is not recommended to take drugs that eliminate the effect of yohimbine. Only doctors can do this.

Don't miss the most popular article in the section: Body drying for girls. Training program, detailed nutrition menu for the month by day.

How to take yohimbine for weight loss for women

Sports nutrition manufacturers produce yohimbine supplements specifically for women. Such drugs, for example, Lipo-6x from Nutrex and SAN Tight Fem, have a milder effect on the central nervous system and contain several substances, such as synephrine, caffeine, ephedra extract, pepper, green tea. Typically, these supplements contain 3 to 5 mg of yohimbine, which is a safe and effective dose for women.

Take fat burners with yohimbine 30 minutes before meals with water, and do not exceed the dosage indicated on the instructions . The course of treatment lasts no more than 2 months.

Important! In order for the supplement to be beneficial, in addition to taking fat burners, a special diet and training are required.

Contraindications

The drug is considered safe, but there are a number of restrictions. Before your appointment, you need to consult with a specialist.

For what diseases is the drug prohibited?

• high or low blood pressure. The doctor must determine the dosage so that the drug has the correct effect and does not worsen the body’s condition;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• age under 18 years;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• intolerance to one or more components of the drug;
• It is not recommended to take adrenergic agonists together with the drug yohimbine;
• cardiac ischemia;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• for vision problems;
• for psychological diseases.

The drug is allowed if there are no contraindications.

Drugs from the pharmacy

Attention! All medications are intended to treat erectile dysfunction; consult your doctor before use.

Yohimbine hydrochloride

1 tablet contains 5 mg of yohimbine. Indications for taking the drug are erectile dysfunction. Take 1-2 tablets 1-3 times a day. Manufacturer: Health, FC, LLC, Kharkov, Ukraine.

Yohimbine "Spiegel"

Manufacturer: SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS, GmbH. 1 tablet contains 5 mg, package contains 20 tablets.

Yohimbex-Harmony

Manufacturer: Ukraine. 1 capsule contains 5 mg of yohimbine hydrochloride. Additional substances: ascorbic acid, ginseng root, zinc, selenium.

Why does it help you lose weight?

We won’t talk too much about it, because everything here is simple. There are alpha adrenergic receptors in our body. They prevent the breakdown of fat. There are a lot of them on the buttocks and thighs of women, as well as on the stomach of men. It is because of them that these places are considered “problematic”, since it is especially difficult for fat to escape from there (now you know why).

So, yohimbine blocks the most harmful limiter of fat burning - ALPHA-2 adrenergic receptors, so our body can easily burn fat and at the same time effectively use the energy released during fat oxidation.

At the same time, the blood supply to adipose tissue increases, which only accelerates the melting of fat.

In 2006, the Institute of Sports Medicine in Serbia experimentally proved that quebraquine really helps burn fat. In short, there were 2 groups of athletes, one took the substance, the other did not. As a result, those who took it reduced their subcutaneous fat.

But not everything is so simple; there is another opinion regarding the performance of yohimbine. I will write about this further.

Effect on norepinephrine

Along with blocking α-2, there is an increase in norepinephrine, which these α-2 receptors normally inhibit. And as we know, adrenaline and norepinephrine have a fat-burning effect. They essentially trigger lipolysis. And this is another reason why yohimbine for weight loss should work great.

In the graph below you can see the research data, which clearly shows the increase in norepinephrine:

According to ongoing research (here is the link), a portion of yohimbine of 0.1-0.2 mg per 1 kilogram of weight causes a gradual rise in norepinephrine over several hours with pinpoint bursts of concentration exceeding the initial level by 200-300%.

Various sources report an average of 5-10 mg of the substance increases norepinephrine and adrenaline by 2-3 times.

This is too much, so it will be felt by absolutely all people.

Doubts about the effectiveness of yohimbine + research

As with any scientific issue, there is always another opinion, which is directly opposite to the most popular one. It's the same story with yohimbine.

I managed to find opinions “against” the effectiveness of this substance. Or rather, facts that simply challenge a popular idea. What exactly are they doubting? There is only one thing - do people really lose weight from quebraquine or is this due to other factors. For example:

1. Yohimbine is also called DUIRETIC due to its ability to expel water from the body. Because of this, many doubt that under the influence of yohimbine, adipose tissue decreases due to the destruction of the nuclei of fat cells themselves, since they assume that we are only observing a decrease in their volume. This effect is comparable to a bath. You steamed, sweated, lost weight. But this weight is just water, since the fat cells themselves were not “burned” and remained in their places. Then you drink water and the weight comes back, since the cells have absorbed everything back.
2. Another doubt is related to the fact that the bark extract from which yohimbine is extracted reduces appetite. That is, people simply start eating less and lose weight from it. In principle, such an idea has a right to exist, since usually the drug is taken just during the drying period, when the diet already creates conditions for weight loss. And how big the role of yohimbine plays in the final result is a question.
3. Well, the coolest argument that is given is that a very large percentage of studies of a substance do not confirm its effectiveness.

For example, 47 men were tested for six months. They were given a measurable dose of 43 mg per day. The result is a complete lack of effect. Although in the experiment, many parameters of the fat layer were very carefully measured using computer technology.

A similar study was conducted with 18 obese women. They were given 18 mg of the substance for 8 weeks. Also zero.

Well, the most authoritative study that critics of yohimbine refer to is the conclusion published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition after a large study of the effectiveness of various fat burners.

As a result of this project, yohimbine, Mate tea and other fashionable things were recognized as USELESS for weight loss. No one denied the mild fat-burning effect of yohimbine, but they explained that it does not affect the weather.

Personally, I do not dispute all this and am even sure that the role of yohimbine has been significantly exaggerated, like everything commercial in this world. The very fact that even the coolest sports fat burners destroy only 100-200 kcal suggests that nothing can replace a diet.

Top sports nutrition supplements with yohimbine

Pay attention to the content of yohimbine or its extract. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

• Ultimate Nutrition Yohimbe Bark Extract 800 mg.
• Puritan's Pride Yohimbe 2000 mg.
• Yohimbine HCl, Primaforce, 2.5 mg.
• SAN Tight Fem – Yohimbe HCl extract – 5 mg.
• Hydroxycut Hardcore X from MuscleTech.
• Lipo-6x from Nutrex (yohimbine 3 mg).
• Fyre by Syntrax.
• Tight! Xtreme from SAN