Yohimbe is a popular dietary supplement made from the bark of an African evergreen tree.

It is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction. It has also become a growing trend among bodybuilders to help with fat loss.

Despite its popularity, there are some risks that you may want to be aware of before taking this supplement.

This article provides everything you need to know about yohimbe and its benefits, uses and potential dangers.

The Results for Weight Loss Are Mixed

Yohimbe supplements are also marketed to help with weight loss and improve body composition.

Yohimbine’s ability to block the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors located in fat cells could, in theory, lead to increased fat loss and weight loss. Several controlled studies have evaluated this and found mixed results.

One study examined the effects of yohimbine in 20 obese females who consumed a 1,000- calorie diet for three weeks. The women taking yohimbine lost significantly more weight than those taking a placebo — 7.8 pounds (3.6 kg) vs. 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) (6Trusted Source).

Yohimbine was also studied in elite soccer players, and was found to decrease body fat by 1.8 percentage points over the course of three weeks. No significant changes were found in the placebo group (7Trusted Source).

On the other hand, two additional controlled studies concluded that yohimbine had no significant effect on weight loss or fat loss (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

More research is needed before yohimbe is recommended for widespread use as a weight loss supplement.