Yohimbine is a naturally occurring compound that may be helpful in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Impotence is a disease that mainly affects men over the age of 50, but it can occur in men of any age. What you need to know about yohimbine, is it really effective?
1. What is yohimbine?
Yohimbine is an alkaloid obtained mainly from the bark or leaves of Pausinystalia yohimbe and Corynanthe yohimbe, a plant growing in Africa (mainly Cameroon), known as the tree of love or the Powerful.
On le trouve également dans l'écorce de l'arbre niando d'Afrique de l'Ouest ( Alchornea floribunda ), divers types de racines ( Rauwolfia serpentina, Rauwolfia volkensii ), le quebracho blanc (Aspidosperma quebrachoblanco ) et Mitragyna stipulose poussant en Amérique du Sud. It is also found in the bark of the West African niando tree ( Alchornea floribunda ), various root types ( Rauwolfia serpentina, Rauwolfia volkensii), white quebracho (Aspidosperma quebrachoblanco ) and Mitragyna stipulose growing in America from South.
In its pure form, it forms needle-shaped crystals. Yohimbine is soluble in alcohol, chloroform and ether, but it does not dissolve in water. For centuries, this remedy has been used as an aphrodisiac, initially it was used at wedding parties and ritual orgies, it also allowed village chiefs to prove their masculinity.
The name yohimbine has been in use since 1896, when it was given by the German researcher Spiegl. The bark of P. yohimbe contains about 6% alkaloids, including 10-15% yohimbine. The first synthetic equivalent of this alkaloid was created in the 1950s.
Due to the great interest in yohimbine, preparations containing a "fake" ingredient are appearing on the market. In commercial preparations, it is present as yohimbine hydrochloride.
2.the properties of yohimbine
Yohimbine is a polycyclic compound with a tryptamine motif in its structure. This substance is an antagonist of presynaptic α-2 adrenergic receptors. This relationship causes:
– increased level of norepinephrine (increased secretion in the sympathetic system), – increased secretion of epinephrine by the adrenal glands, – relaxation and dilation of blood vessels (vasopressor effect).
The alkaloid stimulates the erection center in the spinal cord, which makes the penis erect and the center of ejaculation, accelerating and improving ejaculation of semen. Taking the drops 30-45 minutes before sex causes increased blood flow to the penis, and therefore an erection.
Thanks to this, yohimbine facilitates sexual intercourse.In some people, it additionally increases mood, the appearance of cheerfulness and an increase in libido.
Skin sensitization to tactile stimuli has also been reported, which would improve the perception of sexual sensations. The effect of yohimbine lasts for two to four hours.
3. Yohimbine in the treatment of impotence
This agent is being tested in clinical trials as a potential drug. In a 1997 study, 30 mg of yohimbine was given for 4 weeks to healthy men and men with erectile dysfunction.
In the first group, the agent had no effect, while in the second group, a slight improvement was observed. A similar study was carried out a year later using a higher dose of the alkaloid (100 mg). In this case, an improvement in sexual performance was observed in 86% of patients with a history of erectile dysfunction.
A 2007 study conducted at the Clinic of Urology and Nephrology in London also supports the effectiveness of yohimbine as a preparation in the treatment of sexual disorders and dysfunctions.
29 patients participated in the study, each of whom received 20 mg of the alkaloid, men could increase the dose of the preparation at home. Among the men tested, 19 reached orgasm, 2 became fathers and 3 were considered cured. Some studies show that yohimbine produces a triple increase in erection and orgasm.
4.Indications for the use of yohimbine
Preparations containing yohimbine are recommended for men with erectile dysfunction of a psychogenic nature (psychogenic impotence), as well as those caused by antidepressants (venlafaxine, specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
Additional indications for the use of yohimbine are: ejaculation disorders and badly felt orgasms. Yohimbine does not work with total organic impotence. Yohimbine can also be used in women with reduced vaginal sensation.
5. Dosage of yohimbine
Studies have not given a clear answer as to what dose can be considered safe and what will cause side effects. In clinical trials, yohimbine was used in the amount of 20-100 mg, and more often 50 mg per day, such use of yohimbine did not cause any side effects.
Many preparations aimed at boosting the effect contain less than 10 mg of yohimbine chloride, which should not lead to life-threatening complications. Doctors, however, recommend the use of around 18 mg of yohimbine in three divided doses for the treatment of impotence.
6. Yohimbine Side Effects
The use of yohimbine requires caution, must be prescribed by a doctor and can have many side effects. Yohimbine side effects include:
– strong psychomotor agitation, – anxiety, – irritability, – muscle tremors – increased blood pressure, – a feeling of palpitations – headaches, – dizziness, – reddening of the skin, – sweating, – polyuria, – nausea and vomiting.
Additionally, yohimbine causes dilated pupils and, at higher doses, hallucinations. Most often, the above symptoms appeared during the consumption of products containing tyramine (blue cheese), antitussive drugs and agents containing phenylpropanolamine.