stimulantEVIDENCEBUSOTC

Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)

aka Coleonol

Diterpene from Coleus forskohlii root. Direct cAMP elevation via adenylyl cyclase activation. Studied for body composition and cognitive function.

Dose range250–500mg

Half-life—h

Onset—min

Safety3/5medium evidence base

Mechanism of action

Directly activates adenylyl cyclase, increasing intracellular cAMP. The cAMP elevation amplifies many downstream signalling cascades — lipolysis, thyroid hormone synthesis, cardiac contractility, and cognitive function. The mechanism is unusual — most drugs activate cAMP through receptor binding, while forskolin bypasses receptors entirely.

History

Forskolin was isolated from Coleus forskohlii root in the 1970s. It's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Modern interest emerged in the 2000s with weight loss applications; Godard 2005 demonstrated body composition improvement at 250 mg/day. The cognitive applications are based on cAMP's role in memory formation but human evidence is limited.

Benefits

Body composition (modest)
EVIDENCEB
Godard 2005.
Thyroid function support
EVIDENCEC
Animal models.
Cognitive function (theoretical)
EVIDENCEC
Mechanism + animal studies.

Side effects

Hypotensionuncommonmoderate
Tachycardiauncommonmoderate

Cited research

Coleus forskohlii for body composition (Godard)2005
PMID 16077116 ↗
Forskolin cAMP elevation review (Seamon)1983
PMID 6296227 ↗

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