July 2019 musculardevelopment.com MD 45
aphrodisiac properties for centuries, and
science gives this some merit. In order
to achieve erection, there is a complex
interaction between the central nervous
system (your brain) and the blood vessels in
the penis. If you are psychologically stressed
out or you have blood flow problems, you
are likely to experience erectile dysfunction.
Viagra is a drug that increases nitric oxide
in the penis, resulting in more blood flow to
produce an erection. Unfortunately, Viagra
doesn’t work for everybody.
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor stimulation
on nerves in the penis results in an inhibition
of nitric oxide synthesis and release.^5 Thus,
yohimbine has the potential to increase nitric
oxide in the penis and potentiate the actions
of Viagra by inhibiting those receptors. The
erection-producing effects of both Viagra
and yohimbine on penile tissue has been
confirmed in recent laboratory studies.^6
However, scientists believe that yohimbine
has an even stronger effect centrally— that
is, on the brain. Animal studies consistentlyReferences:- Galitzky J, et al. Role of vascular alpha-2
adrenoceptors in regulating lipid mobilization
from human adipose tissue. J Clin Invest 1993;
May;91(5):1997-2003. - Pedersen SB, et al. Estrogen controls lipolysis
by up-regulating alpha2A-adrenergic receptors
directly in human adipose tissue through the
estrogen receptor alpha. Implications for the female
fat distribution. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;
Apr;89(4):1869-78 - Galitzky J, et al. Alpha 2-antagonist compounds
and lipid mobilization: evidence for a lipid mobilizing
effect of oral yohimbine in healthy male volunteers.
Eur J Clin Invest 1988; Dec;18(6):587-94. - Ostojic SM. Yohimbine: the effects on
body composition and exercise performance
in soccer players. Res Sports Med 2006; Oct-
Dec;14(4):289-99.- Saenz de Tejada I, et al. Regulation of pre-
synaptic alpha adrenergic activity in the corpus
cavernosum. Int J Impot Res 2000; Mar;12 Suppl
1:S20-25. - Saad MA, et al. Potential effects of yohimbine
and sildenafil on erectile dysfunction in rats. Eur J
Pharmacol 2012; Dec 27;700(1-3):127-133. - Senbel AM, Mostafa T. Yohimbine enhances
the effect of sildenafil on erectile process in rats. Int
J Impot Res 2008; Jul-Aug;20(4):409-17. - Campbell AT, et al. Effect of yohimbine stress
on reacquisition of oxycodone seeking in rats.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; Jul;222(2):247-55.
performance enhancers.” Perhaps the most
popular are the fat-burning supplements,
as these are used by both men and women.
Yohimbine has a stimulant effect that helps
mobilize fat from its stores. When combined
with other stimulants, yohimbine can have
a synergistic (greater than just additive)
effect. This is why yohimbine is often found in
combination supplements with stimulants like
caffeine, DMAA and synephrine.The ReseaRch
Laboratory studies performed in the ‘80s
and ‘90s demonstrated that the activation
of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors inhibited
the release of fat from storage.^1 Similarly,
studies showed that estrogen caused
subcutaneous storage of fat by increasing
the number of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in
fat cells.^2 Subsequently, it was theorized that
inhibition of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors by
supplementation with yohimbine could help
mobilize and burn fat from storage.
A human study on yohimbine performed
in 1988 provided subjects with a dose of
0.2 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight
and observed its effects on fat release from
storage.^3 This study demonstrated that
yohimbine mobilized fats in the fasting
state, which was reinforced by exercise, but
its action was abolished by eating a meal.
Interestingly, even at this relatively high dose
of yohimbine, it did not cause a significant
elevation in heart rate or blood pressure.
Follow-up studies examined if the stimulant
and fat-mobilizing effects of yohimbine
might improve athletic performance. In a
study using male soccer players, a dose of
20 milligrams daily for three weeks failed to
improve muscle mass, strength or exercise
performance.^4 However, the soccer players did
lose a significant amount of body fat during
the three-week trial. Perhaps yohimbine’s
stimulant effect affects another type of
performance?
Yohimbine has been used for its presumedDr. Victor Prisk is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and medical director of P.O.W. – Prisk
Orthopaedics and Wellness, PC in Monroeville, PA. He specializes in regenerative medicine and foot and
ankle treatment, and brings experience and empathy to his practice in the care of dancers, gymnasts and
weight-training athletes. Dr. Prisk is an IFBB Professional League bodybuilder and judge, a member of the
GNC Medical Advisory Board, and author of The GAIN Plan and The Leucine Factor Diet. For more information,
visit http://www.orthoandwellness.comdemonstrate that yohimbine increases
sexual motivation and the pleasure centers of
the brain that lead to erection.^7 Yohimbine is
able to increase arousal and potency in rats
placed in a stressful situation (immersion
into cold water; talk about taking a cold
shower).^6 Furthermore, the combination
of Viagra and yohimbine appears to be
synergistic in its central nervous system
effects and peripheral actions, thus improving
sexual performance.PRecauTions
Yohimbine is a relatively safe supplement,
but some must take precautions. If you are
on medications such as amphetamines
for ADHD or anti-seizure medications,
you should avoid yohimbine. Because of
yohimbine’s strong central nervous system
effects, high doses can cause impulsivity and
drug-seeking behaviors.^8 High doses can
potentially cause high blood pressure and
heart problems, especially if taken with other
stimulants.If you have trouble
getting rock hard,
there are drugs like
Viagra or Cialis that
will more than likely
help. When these
don’t work or you
just can’t get the
drugs, you need
to pick up some
yohimbine.