increased fat breakdown and dosing yohimbe has been shown to increase fat loss on a diet (24-
27). Since the presence of insulin blocks the effects of yohimbe, it cannot be taken with or around
carbohydrate containing meals. Additionally, the consumption of yohimbine with food increases
the insulin response over what would normally be seen (23). This suggests that the best time to
take yohimbe (along with caffeine to increase fat breakdown) would after an overnight fast, first
thing in the morning, prior to aerobic exercise (23). In addition, the combination of yohimbine and
exercise leads to increased energy expenditure compared to aerobic exercise done alone (25,26).
However, this also causes an increased heart rate response to exercise.
By exercising prior to eating any food, the body should draw on bodyfat stores for fuel and
the yohimbe and caffeine should increase FFA release from stubborn fat depots. Anecdotally,
this strategy seems to help with the loss of hard to remove fat deposits, such as women’s hips
and the abdominals in men.
If individuals choose to use yohimbe in this fashion, and also wish to use ECA during their
diet, there are two options. The first is to alternate days, using yohimbe on one day, and ECA the
next. An alternate approach is to use yohimbe first thing in the morning prior to aerobic exercise,
and then use the ECA stack later in the day (with the first dose approximately four to five hours
after the yohimbe has been taken, to avoid potential interactions). Once again, individuals should
monitor their heart rate and blood pressure responses to avoid negative reactions. If an
individual is sensitive to yohimbe, its use should be discontinued.
Dosing of yohimbe
The optimal dose of yohimbe is thought to be 0.2 milligrams of active ingredient/kilogram of
bodyweight (2,24,25). Thus a 68 kilogram individual (150 lbs) would require 13 milligrams to
increase fat breakdown. Individuals should start with a lower dosage to assess their tolerance
and increase dosage only when no negative heart rate or blood pressure responses occur.
A significant problem with most yohimbe on the market is a lack of standardization,
making it difficult to know how much of the active compound is present. Additionally, there are
compounds present in herbal preparations, that appear to cause greater side effects for herbal
yohimbine, compared to prescription yohimbine hydrochloride. As with ephedrine, yohimbe
should not be taken with any medication which acts as a MAOI.
Combining yohimbe with the ECA stack
As mentioned above, ephedrine has non-specific beta receptor agonist effects which are
generally geared towards increasing fat burning. However, some of its effects are also felt at the
alpha receptor, specifically the alpha-2 receptor. Recall from above that the alpha-2 receptor
inhibits the use of fat for fuel when it is stimulated. So by stimulating alpha-2 receptors,
ephedrine is limiting some of its fat burning potential.
Adding an alpha-2 antagonist could conceivably increase fat loss when used with the ECA
stack. However an important cautionary note is needed. Recall from above that beta-receptors
are in essence an ‘accelerator’ for certain metabolic processes while alpha-receptors are the