Compound Profile

Forskolin

Labdane diterpene from Coleus forskohlii root that directly activates adenylyl cyclase to raise intracellular cAMP.

Last reviewed: •1 human studies cited

C Preliminary

Monograph visual

Forskolin

Generated profile category visual

Where to go next — guides & comparisons

Continue reading

Quick Stats

Evidence level

Limited evidence

Typical onset

Varies by prep

Safety rating

Use extra caution: Interaction risk

Best for

Adenylyl Cyclase/CAMP, Adenylyl Cyclase

Avoid / review if

Known Hypersensitivity To Coleus Forskohlii

Found In

Botanicals that contain Forskolin, with full herb profiles.

Safety & Cautions

Review before use if any apply: Known Hypersensitivity To Coleus Forskohlii.

Evidence-based safety

Caution when combined

These pairings share a flagged risk mechanism. They are additive-effect cautions derived from contraindication data, not confirmed clinical interactions. Consult a clinician before combining.

High-Priority Caution

147 flagged pairings

Bleeding / anticoagulant risk

Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.

Bleeding / anticoagulant risk

Moderate Caution

81 flagged pairings

Blood-pressure effects

Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.

Blood-pressure effects

Evidence Summary

C Preliminary

Evidence lens

Early signal that needs stronger human replication before practical claims.

PreliminaryLimited evidence

Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Metabolic Regulation

Research maturity: Preliminary or mixed — main contexts: Adenylyl Cyclase/CAMP · Adenylyl Cyclase

Safety boundary: Safety note available — Review before use if any apply: Known Hypersensitivity To Coleus Forskohlii.

This profile cites 1 human study.

Evidence Strength

Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.

Limited evidence

Forskolin has a limited evidence evidence rating.

General wellnessGeneral wellness
Citation density
0.5
Sources
1
Effects
2
Research recency
Mixed recency
How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

A

Strong

Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size

B

Moderate

Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans

C

Preliminary / Mixed

Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data

D

Traditional / Theoretical

Traditional use only; no controlled human trials

Clinical Study Summaries (1)Cited studies informing this profile. RCTs and reviews shown first.
StudyTypeSampleSource

PubMed PMID 16129715. Minimal citation row added from existing workbook PMID; title/year/journal still require PubMed metadata extraction.

PubMed

——PubMed →

How Forskolin Works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Forskolin Works

How Forskolin WorksForskolin acts on pathways via metabolic (regulation), leading to adenylyl cyclase/camp.ForskolinBiological pathwayMetabolicRegulationAdenylyl Cyclase/CampObservable outcome
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & Biological Pathways▼

Preclinical mechanism details from scientific profiles; these represent plausible pathways but do not guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.

Metabolic Regulation

Condition guides

Fat lossAnxietyBlood pressureCognitionEnergy

Continue exploring

Related research paths

Compare & Sourcing

Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.

Review available sources for Forskolin

Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.

Check sourcing options

Affiliate Disclosure: Shopping links may earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Links are chosen on quality and availability, never commission tiers; safety warnings and evidence ratings stay independent.

Related alternatives

Aloe VeraAnemarrhena AsphodeloidesArjunaArtichoke

Herbs for similar conditions

Aloe VeraTarragonBerberisIndian Barberry

Tradeoffs

Free safety checklist

Get the Forskolin evidence notes

Occasional research updates, safety context, and product-quality checks for supplement decisions.

We use your email to send the checklist and occasional evidence-first supplement updates. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.

Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

Editorial Standards →
← Back to compounds librarySafety checker →

Compound profile context

How to interpret Forskolin

Forskolin dosage by use case, onset and duration, safety limits, and interactions for adenylyl cyclase/camp, graded against research. Limited Human Evidence… Use this compound profile to understand mechanism, evidence quality, and practical safety context before comparing products or building a stack. A biochemical pathway connection can be useful for discovery, but it is not the same as proven benefit in humans.

When reviewing Forskolin, separate the active molecule from the product category around it. Dose form, absorption, extract standardization, medication interactions, and individual sensitivity can change the real-world risk-benefit picture.

For supplement planning, avoid combining multiple compounds with overlapping sedating, stimulating, serotonergic, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, or liver-metabolism effects unless a qualified clinician has reviewed the context.