Fadogia agrestis
A West African shrub used traditionally for libido. Animal data shows striking testosterone-raising effects; human evidence is still very thin. Often stacked with tongkat ali.
Strong animal data for testosterone elevation. No published human RCTs at the time of writing. Anecdotal user reports are positive but unreliable. Treat as experimental.
Fadogia agrestis is a flowering shrub used in traditional medicine in Nigeria and Ghana as an aphrodisiac. Animal studies (mostly in rats) show large increases in testosterone production via direct stimulation of the Leydig cells in the testes — bypassing the HPG axis. The supplement got into the wider conversation when Andrew Huberman discussed it on his podcast, and it's now widely used (often paired with tongkat ali) for male testosterone support. The catch: human trial data is essentially absent. Animal data also suggests potential testicular toxicity at high doses with prolonged use. Take seriously — but with caution, low dose, and cycling.
- Form
- Fadogia agrestis root or stem extract. Standardisation is variable — buy from reputable suppliers with third-party testing.
- Dose
- 300–600 mg/day. Some users go up to 1,000 mg/day but this exceeds what animal-data safety extrapolation supports.
- Timing
- AM with food.
- Schedule
- Cycle: 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off (Huberman's stated protocol). Don't run continuously — animal liver / testicular toxicity at sustained high doses is a real concern.
- Side effects
- Limited human data. Animal data: testicular damage at high doses with prolonged use. Reported user side effects: aggression, irritability, sleep disturbance, headache.
- Interactions
- Limited data. Theoretical: anti-androgen medications, hormone-sensitive medications.
- Contraindications
- Liver disease (animal hepatotoxicity at high doses). Active or family history of prostate cancer. Pregnancy / breastfeeding. Anyone unwilling to monitor with bloodwork (LFTs, testosterone).
- Lab markers
- Total + free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) before and during cycles — non-negotiable given the animal hepatotoxicity signal.
- Food sources
- Not present in everyday food outside West Africa.
Pairs with
Tongkat ali (the famous Huberman pairing — different mechanisms, potentially synergistic). Zinc, boron, vitamin D (hormonal cofactors).
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