Menu
Tongkat Ali | Biohacking your body
12 November 2023 | James Kearslake
Table of Contents
Fun Fact
In Indonesia, Tongkat Ali is locally known as “Pasak Bumi,” which translates to translates to “Earth Nail” or “Earth Spike. The name represents strength, resilience, and grounding. In Indonesian culture, it is seen as a symbol of vitality and endurance, akin to a sturdy nail or spike firmly embedded in the earth.
It is sometimes used in rituals and ceremonies related to strength, fertility, and wellbeing.
What is Tongkat Ali?
Tongkat Ali, also known as Malaysian ginseng or Longjack, is a flowering plant found in Southeast Asia, and is particularly dominant in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Known for increasing testosterone levels, enhancing sexual function, and improving natural energy levels and stamina, Tongkat Ali is being taking across the biohacking communities for its ability to enhance the sexual experience for ourselves and our partner(s).
With its ability to also improve stamina, natural energy levels, and support cognitive function, Tongkat Ali is being widely popularised thanks to social media and is set to only grow in interest as awareness gross.
Used for centuries in traditional medicine, its roots have been used to prepare herbal remedies for a variety of ailments, including fevers, infections, and sexual dysfunction. The active compounds in Tongkat Ali, such as quassinoids and eurycomanone, are believed to contribute to its medicinal properties.
Benefits of Tongkat Ali
There are several benefits to taking Tongkat Ali, including improvements to cognitive function, physical performance, and mood regulation.
However, its main benefits are for the libido and sexual performance, which is what its being widely popularised on social media for. And for good reason.
Benefits of taking Tongkat Ali supplements include:
- Testosterone Support: Tongkat Ali helps maintains healthy testosterone levels, which has a positive impact on various aspects of health, including muscle growth, fat metabolism, and overall vitality. More below on Tongkat increasing testosterone
- Libido and Sexual Function: Tongkat Ali has earned its reputation as a natural aphrodisiac, with its ability to enhance testosterone levels, increase libido, and improve fertility in men and women. More below on Tongkat increasing libido
- Energy and Stamina: It also increases natural energy levels and improves stamina, aiding physical performance for those who train, as well as translating to additional benefits in the bedroom.
- Muscle Mass and Strength: Because it helps optimise testosterone levels, athletes and fitness enthusiasts take Tongkat for its ability to boost muscle growth and enhance physical performance.
- Stress and Mood Regulation: Tongkat Ali is an adaptogen, meaning it has the ability to bring the body balance to hormonal balance, or a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis is critical to support the body adapting to stress and maintaining a more balanced mood.
- Cognitive Performance: It also has cognitive-enhancing effects, including improved focus and memory. These benefits are thought to be linked to the herb’s ability to support hormonal balance. More below on Tongkat improving cognitive performance
Tongkat Ali Increases Testosterone
Tongkat Ali increases testosterone in men and women, increasing libido, sexual energy, and overall energy and stamina.
It increased testosterone in several ways:
- Stimulation of Leydig Cells: Leydig cells, found in the testes, are responsible for producing testosterone. Tongkat Ali can help stimulate the Leydig cells, leading to an increased production of testosterone. The active compounds in Tongkat Ali, such as eurycomanone, are believed to play a role in this process.
- Hormonal Regulation: Tongkat Ali has a modulating effect on certain hormones, particularly cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that, when elevated, severely impedes testosterone levels. By helping to regulate cortisol, Tongkat Ali may supports the maintenance of healthy testosterone levels in men and women.
- Inhibition of Aromatase Enzyme: Aromatase is an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen. Tongkat Ali helps inhibits the activity of the aromatase enzyme, preventing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and thereby supporting higher testosterone levels.
- Release of Free Testosterone: Tongkat Ali also increases the release of free testosterone by binding to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG can bind to testosterone, making the testosterone less available for the body to use. By reducing the binding of SHBG to testosterone, Tongkat Ali increases the amount of free, active testosterone in the bloodstream.
It’s important to note that studies continue on the overall effects on testosterone from Tongkat Ali, and so results can vary between individuals.
We never recommend taking testosterone improving supplements long-term because it can sometimes impact the body’s natural ability to create testosterone.
As with all biohacking supplements, we recommend circulating round the many different supplements throughout the year, providing your body with various types of supplements, different benefits, and the many different trace minerals that come with natural supplements like herbs and roots.
Tongkat Ali Increases Libido and Sexual Energy
Although Tongkat Ali increases testosterone which is a key hormone for sexual energy in men and women, it also supports a healthy libido and sexual function in other way:
- Stress Reduction: Tongkat Ali is an adapton, meaning it modulates the body’s response to stress and reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline throughout the body. By reducing stress and anxiety levels, Tongkat Ali contributes to an improved mood and enhanced libido.
- Cortisol Regulation: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels severely impede sexual desire. Tongkat Ali’s potential to regulate cortisol plays an important role in alleviating stress-related inhibition of libido.
- Enhanced Blood Circulation: Tongkat Ali has vasodilation effects, meaning it improves blood flow throughout the body including the genital rea. Enhanced blood circulation is essential for sexual function, and increased blood flow to the genital area supports heightened arousal, sexual sensitivity, and overall improved sexual response.
- Increased Energy and Stamina: Its reputation for boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue result in increased stamina and physical performance when working out. The wider impact of improved stamina also benefits sexual performance in the bedroom, leading to improved sexual satisfaction for you and your partner(s).
- Mood Enhancement: Because Tongkat Ali is an adaptogen, it also improves our mood and creates a natural sense of balance within us. A positive mood and improved mental wellbeing directly benefits cognitive function, physical performance, and increased sexual desire, further contributing to the overall benefits experienced by Tongkat.
Tongkat Ali Improves Cognitive Functioning
Tongkat Ali also aids cognitive function in several ways:
- Stress Reduction: Chronic stress is a major contributing factor to impaired cognitive function, brain fog, and diminished cognitive performance. Tongkat’s adaptogenic properties help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance, significantly reducing the damaging effects of stress on the brain.
- Hormonal Balance: Hormonal balance, including the regulation of testosterone and cortisol, plays a key role in cognitive function. Tongkat Ali’s ability to modulate these hormones directly contributes to the brain’s cognitive function including learning, memory, and focus.
- Antioxidant Properties: It also has antioxidant properties which protects the brain from oxidative stress, being a major cause of age-related cognitive decline. Taking supplements with antioxidant properties helps maintain brain health and cognitive function.
- Increased Energy and Vitality: Tongkat ability for also boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue supports overall cognitive function. Improved alertness and mental stamina also supports cognitive functioning.
- Neurotransmitter Modulation: While not fully understood yet, it is indicated that Tongkat Ali influences the levels or activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play crucial roles in mood and cognition. This research is ongoing so that scientists can understand the process in full.
Potential Risks of Tongkat Ali
While Tongkat Ali is generally considered safe for most people when taken at recommended doses, there are potential risks and side effects to be aware of:
- Insomnia and Agitation: Some individuals experience difficulty sleeping and increased restlessness, especially if Tongkat Ali is taken in excessive amounts. It’s important to start on a small dosage, monitor your body’s response, and increase the dose from there.
- Digestive Issues: In some cases, users have reported gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, or indigestion. It’s essential to start with a lower dose to assess individual tolerance.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Excessive use of Tongkat Ali may lead to hormonal imbalances, potentially causing adverse effects on reproductive and metabolic health.
Natural Aphrodisiacs Similar to Tongkat Ali
While Tongkat Ali has garnered attention for its potential benefits, there are natural alternatives that may offer similar effects:
- Maca Root: Known for its adaptogenic properties, maca root may help support hormonal balance, enhance energy levels, and improve sexual function.
- Ashwagandha: An adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha is renowned for its stress-relieving properties and potential to support healthy testosterone levels, promoting overall well-being.
- Tribulus Terrestris: Widely used in traditional medicine, tribulus terrestris is believed to enhance libido and testosterone levels, contributing to improved sexual health and performance.
Final Thoughts
Tongkat Ali is a supplement that you can use to enhance your sexual experience with your partner(s), even if you don’t experience any issues with your libido, sexual desire, or erectile dysfunction.
Sexual exploration is a key component to a healthy sex life and we should all consider natural aphrodisiacs as a route to improving our sex lives since nature made these available to us.
It’s like drinking prosecco when you can have champagne.
Biohacking is about elevating your performance in all areas of your life; focusing on the entire wellness equilibrium and determining routes forward to improving each pillar of the equilibrium.
Sexual satisfaction is as important a pillar as physical performance and cognitive function within the wellness equilibrium, and so it’s important we consider nature’s supplements that enhance that experience for us.
I have not yet taken Tongkat Ali, because, as I always say, its important to cycle round varying supplements throughout the year to provide your body with a mix of supplements, benefits, and effects.
While I’m currently taking cordyceps mushrooms, which has significantly increased my sex drive, strength and size of my erections, and left me feeling like a wild animal, I do not intend on adding more into the mix.
Tongkat Ali is in my cupboard awaiting me to migrate over from my mushrooms, and, following the countless reports of my friends, I’m thoroughly looking forward to trying out this insatiable supplement.
You should be too…
Who is James Kearslake?
Having been biohacking my mind and body long before it became fashionable, I’ve always lived by the benefits of nature’s resources to improve cognitive and physiological performance. Using my years of experience, products, and wellness practices, I’m now helping others elevate their cognitive performance to help build the life they want. I save you the time I’ve spent learning, so you can focus your time on building.
Proudly AI Supported
I proudly use AI to support development of my articles. As a heavily dyslexic person, writing can be a time consuming process with words often jumbled up and sentences the wrong way round. AI has become my crutch; allowing me to share the immense interest in my mind, while making content creation quicker and more accurate. AI is my benefit.
Did you find this useful?
If so, please do share it with others who may also benefit from it.
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email
LinkedIn
Affiliate Policy
We only ever recommend products we know offer value to our readers and that we use ourselves.
When recommending these products, we often include affiliate links so that we earn a small commission on sales made, at no expense to you as the reader.
Affiliate commissions are similar to an advertising fee which retailers pay to website owners, and is often the only way website owners can earn money through the content they create. Therefore, we hope you can support us by using our affiliate links if you decide to purchase products after reading our content, as it helps keep the website operating.
Thank you for always sticking by us, and don’t forget to join our newsletter to get ground-breaking content direct in your inbox.
