Talk:Yohimbine

Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid molecule of the indoloquinolizidine chemical class. Analyses of yohimbe bark indicate that the average total indole alkaloid content is approximately 3–6%, with approximately 10–15% of the alkaloids being yohimbine. In addition to yohimbine and its isomers (α-yohimbine, β-yohimbine, allo-yohimbine), these alkaloids include ajmaline, dihydroyohimbine, corynantheidine, dihydrocorynantheine, and corynanthine (rauhimbin).^[2] Most often, yohimbine is used in the form of hydrochloride.

Yohimbine has been used for a variety of medical purposes, including as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and as a treatment for xerostomia (dry mouth). It has also been used as a performance-enhancing supplement in bodybuilding and athletics, as well as a weight loss supplement. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of yohimbine for these purposes.

Yohimbine is believed to work by blocking alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which can increase blood flow and improve circulation. However, it can also cause side effects such as anxiety, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. It may also interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure.

Despite its potential medical uses, yohimbine is not regulated by the FDA and is considered a dietary supplement. As with all supplements, it is important to discuss the use of yohimbine with a healthcare provider before taking it.

Yohimbine has been found to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction in men. It is believed to work by blocking alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which can increase blood flow and improve circulation. This can improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of yohimbine for this purpose.

Studies have also found that yohimbine may be effective in treating sexual dysfunction caused by SSRIs. It is believed to work by increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which can improve sexual function. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

In addition to its potential medical uses, yohimbine is also used as a performance-enhancing supplement in bodybuilding and athletics, as well as a weight loss supplement. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of yohimbine for these purposes.

As with all supplements, it is important to discuss the use of yohimbine with a healthcare provider before taking it. Yohimbine can cause side effects such as anxiety, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. It may also interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure.

The primary and most researched mechanism of yohimbine is antagonism of a class of receptors known as alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, thus it increases noradrenaline levels by preventing their uptake into subsequent neurons. Blocking alpha-2 adrenoceptors increases blood pressure, releases insulin, and decreases blood sugar levels. Yohimbine also, however, blocking alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, albeit with lower affinity. It also has been shown to weak inhibit monoamine oxidase.^[4]

In high concentrations yohimbine behaves as an antagonist at dopamine D₂ and D₃ receptors, serotonin 5-HT_1B, 5-HT_1D, and 5-HT_2B receptors, and as a partial agonist at 5-HT_1A.^[5]

Compared to other stimulants, yohimbine can be described as less recreational. For many users, it is unpleasant, and often even with a small dosage causes anxiety and irritability.

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: Yohimbine

Yohimbine has a low toxicity relative to dose. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents few negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences, though some exist. The side effects of yohimbine are clearly dose-dependent, are generally apparent at doses much higher than the claimed therapeutic doses. Generally all reported side effects of yohimbine are reversible and resolve spontaneously within a relatively short time after termination of the drug therapy^[8], and most individuals who experience the inadvertent use of toxic doses will recover after a relatively short period of expectant restoration, which is measured in hours. Deaths from yohimbine overdosing are uncommonly reported but nonetheless published.^[10] Higher doses (200 – 5,000 mg) result in stronger side effects and can be toxic to the brain. Extremely high doses (above 5,000 mg) can be lethal.^[11]

Not recommended for individuals who have bleeding conditions as it can increase the risk of bleeding. For this reason, it is also dangerous for individuals who recently had a surgery. For those already taking this supplement, it is advised to stop intake two weeks before the scheduled surgery.

It is strongly recommended that one be familiar with harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Dependence and abuse potential

Yohimbine is not known to be not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.

Tolerance to the effects of yohimbine are quickly built after repeated and frequent usage. After that, it takes about 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 14 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Yohimbine does not produce cross-tolerance with most other stimulants.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• 25x-NBOMe & 25x-NBOH - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with Yohimbine should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
• Alcohol - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• DXM - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• MDMA - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
• MXE - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
• Dissociatives - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
• Stimulants - Yohimbine may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• Tramadol - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold^[12] and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• MAOIs - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.^[13]

According to 1, yohimbine is uncontrolled in the United States, meaning it is legal to buy, sell or possess without a license or prescription. However, it is illegal to market it as a treatment for erectile dysfunction without getting FDA approval 2. Yohimbine is also unscheduled in the U.K., making it legal to buy, sell or possess 1.

However, yohimbine is banned in some other countries, such as Australia 1, Canada 2, New Zealand, Germany and Austria. In these countries, yohimbine can only be obtained with a prescription or not at all.

• Responsible use
• Stimulants
• MAOI

• Yohimbine (Wikipedia)
• Yohimbine (Isomer Design)