This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-08T03:33:20Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
It may contain incorrect information, particularly with respect to dosage, duration, subjective effects, toxicity and other risks. It may also not meet PW style and grammar standards.
Yohimbine hydrochloride (also known as quebrachine) is a naturally-occurringstimulant substance of the tryptamine class derived from the bark of the African tree Pausinystalia johimbe. It is the major active constituent of the bark, with the active ingredient being yohimbine hydrochloride. It has various uses including as an aphrodisiac and a weight loss agent. Yohimbine is also used as a mydriatic and sympatholytic and has been suggested as an antidote to clonidine and xylazine overdose.
Yohimbine antagonize alpha-2 adrenergicreceptors, leading to increased blood flow to the genital area, where blocking the presynaptic alpha-2 receptors will lead to an increase in both nitric oxide and noradrenaline release. Blocking alpha-2 adrenoceptors increases blood pressure, releases insulin, and decreases blood sugar levels. Yohimbine also, however, interacts with alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, albeit with lower affinity, therefore, at higher doses an α1 blockade can occur and overwhelm the effects of the α2 blockade, making it difficult to predict the response (alpha-1 antagonism reduces blood pressure and overall CNS stimulation). It also has been shown to weak inhibit monoamine oxidase.[1]
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 PsychonautWikicontributors. 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 ☠.
Physical effects
Stimulation - Stimulation is especially noticeable once you begin an activity that increase adrenaline output, such as training.
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:
Yohimbine has a low toxicity relative to dose. Side effects associated with the use of yohimbine include anxiety, an increased urinary frequency, and increases in blood pressure at higher doses.[4] 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.[10]
Dependence and abuse potential
Yohimbine may potentially be mildly habit forming and the desire to use it may actually increase with use. However, in comparison to other more traditional stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate, it is not nearly as addictive or compulsive.
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 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.
]] - 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.
]] - 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.
]] - 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).
]] - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
]] - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
]] - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold[11] and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
]] - 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.[12]
↑Agonist and antagonist actions of yohimbine as compared to fluparoxan at alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors (AR)s, serotonin (5-HT)(1A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(1D) and dopamine D(2) and D(3) receptors. Significance for the modulation of frontocortical monoaminergic transmission and depressive states. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10611634
↑Evidence for activation of both adrenergic and cholinergic nervous pathways by yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7557820
↑Differential effects of noradrenergic drugs on anxiety and arousal in healthy volunteers with high and low anxiety. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9004342
↑Talaie, H.; Panahandeh, R.; Fayaznouri, M. R.; Asadi, Z.; Abdollahi, M. (2009). "Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol". Journal of Medical Toxicology. 5 (2): 63–67. doi:10.1007/BF03161089. eISSN1937-6995. ISSN1556-9039. OCLC163567183.
. eISSN 1471-6771. ISSN 0007-0912. OCLC 01537271. PMID 16051647.