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Limited evidenceWeight management

Rauwolscine (Alpha-Yohimbine)

A yohimbine isomer sold in fat burners for 'stubborn' fat. Its receptor pharmacology is well characterised, but there is no human trial of rauwolscine as a weight-loss supplement at all.

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What the science says

  • Alpha-2 adrenoceptor blockade Limited evidence

    Radioligand binding work established rauwolscine as a specific antagonist at alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. This is the pharmacological basis for the fat-loss rationale, since alpha-2 receptors restrain lipolysis in some fat depots.

  • Human fat loss Limited evidence

    No published human trial has tested rauwolscine for body composition. The closest evidence is a randomized trial of yohimbine in soccer players, which reported a reduction in body fat with no change in performance, in a small sample.

  • Dose and product quality Limited evidence

    Because no dosing study exists, label amounts are set by manufacturers rather than by research. Yohimbe-family supplements have a documented record of inaccurate labelling.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied dose. Products typically list 0.5–3 mg per serving, chosen by manufacturers rather than derived from trials.
SafetyAlpha-2 antagonists raise heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety; yohimbine-family compounds have been linked to palpitations, panic, hypertensive episodes and, at high doses, seizures. Avoid with hypertension, heart disease, anxiety disorders, kidney or liver disease, in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and do not combine with MAO inhibitors, stimulants or high-dose caffeine. Restricted or prohibited as a supplement ingredient in several countries.

How to take it

TimingUsually taken in the morning or before training and never late in the day, because it disrupts sleep.
With food?Taken on an empty stomach in practice, which also makes side effects hit harder and faster.
Worth knowingIf you try it at all, take a fraction of a serving first — the dose that causes palpitations and panic is close to the dose people take.

Interactions

With medications

  • MAO inhibitors

    Combining an alpha-2 antagonist with an MAOI can produce a dangerous rise in blood pressure. do not combine

  • stimulant medication (ADHD stimulants, decongestants)

    Additive increases in heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety. do not combine without medical supervision

  • blood pressure medication

    Rauwolscine raises blood pressure and works against antihypertensive treatment; it also directly opposes clonidine. do not use if you are treated for hypertension

  • tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs

    Tricyclics raise yohimbine-family blood levels, and the combination can sharply worsen anxiety and panic. do not combine without medical supervision

With other supplements

  • caffeine, synephrine, yohimbine and other stimulants

    Additive cardiovascular and anxiety effects; most reported problems come from stacked stimulants rather than one alone. do not stack

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does rauwolscine burn stubborn fat?

No human trial has tested rauwolscine (alpha-yohimbine) for fat loss or body composition; the rationale is its alpha-2 receptor blockade, and the evidence is limited. The closest data is one small yohimbine trial in soccer players.

Is rauwolscine safe?

Rauwolscine raises heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety, and yohimbine-family compounds have been linked to palpitations, panic, hypertensive episodes and, at high doses, seizures. Avoid rauwolscine with hypertension, heart disease, anxiety disorders, kidney or liver disease, and in pregnancy.

How much rauwolscine should I take?

Rauwolscine has no studied dose; products typically list 0.5–3 mg per serving, set by manufacturers rather than trials, and labelling in this family is often inaccurate. The dose of rauwolscine that causes palpitations and panic is close to the dose people take.

Can I take rauwolscine with caffeine or antidepressants?

Do not stack rauwolscine with caffeine, synephrine or other stimulants, and do not combine it with MAO inhibitors, which can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Rauwolscine should also not be combined with tricyclics, SSRIs or blood pressure medication without medical supervision.

Scientific references

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