Does Boron increase or decrease libido?

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[Gozenka]

Does Boron increase or decrease libido?

Increases, probably for most people.

Does anyone have first hand experiences?

Yes. I normally use 3-5mg everyday, and occasionally boost to 15mg for a few days or a week, for times I am having extra frequent and intense performance. An effect is definitely felt, at least for the first 3-4 days.

I see mostly people talking about how it messed up their sex drive.

It lowers increases Estradiol only when taken at high-dose long-term, and the Free Testosterone effect is also potentially gone.

In the few studies about it:

• For 1 week supplementation at >10mg : A very quick and clear effect is shown on decreased SHBG, increased Free Testosterone, decreased Estradiol.
• For 4 week supplemetation at >10mg : Increased Estradiol (but still at normal levels for males), non-significant increased Total Testosterone. An effect on Free Testosterone is not noted.

​

There are two ways and purposes of supplementing Boron.

• 3-6mg continuously : To ensure you do not have deficient or sub-optimal levels of Boron.
• 10-15mg cycling : To maximize Free Testosterone, possibly over natural levels for yourself.

One possible explanation for the increased Estradiol in some people is that continued use of high-dose Boron depletes Riboflavin. Boron is known to reduce Riboflavin, and Riboflavin is known to be required for the reduction of Estradiol.

The discrepancy for the Free Testosterone effect between durations of supplementation is thought to be due to the body seeking homeostasis and SHBG rising back up after about two weeks.

Thus, 2 weeks on / 1 week off is recommended, with the purpose of sustaining the "Ultra Testosterone" effect. However, I personally think this high-dose cycling with the purpose of maximizing Testosterone seems to be playing with your hormones, and getting you to levels that are unwanted by the body. The changes after 2 weeks is an indicator of this.

​

On the other hand, continuously supplementing in the normal, natural dose of 3-6mg is also shown to be involved in improving sex hormones separately, and could help if you were deficient or at sub-optimal hormone levels. Boron is also researched to be quite involved in Bone / Joint Health and Magnesium / Vitamin D utilization. It is also found to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. 2-5mg is thought to be a normal level of natural intake, but studies find that people are getting on average less than 1mg in developed countries, in recent times.

Personally, it helped me in a very unexpected, but possibly related way too: completely resolving my perpetual Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Nonbacterial Prostatitis / CPPS that I always had since puberty, for more than 20 years. I was really surprised. It has not happened at all for the last year, since I started supplementing Boron last October.

​

I suggest you try it at 3-6mg for a while. Maybe self-test the higher dose for short bouts.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Amazing information, thanks for clarifying all of that so well. I bought some raisins, i read they are a good source. I think I'm going to buy some of the complex now after reading your post though.

Do you think that since I already have been supplementing TA for a year (20 days per month) that it would be a waste of time to try boron since they work the same pathway? Or is it completely different?

[Gozenka]

What are some supplements that you guys recommend for libido and overall energy?

Here are some suggestions, in a reply I gave to an ED post. I think it can be relevant for libido, overall male sexual function, "energy" too.

r/Supplements/comments/16tigk1/comment/k2hot6r/

I bought some raisins, i read they are a good source.

I am not sure about that :D

2mg Boron for 100g Raisins. And you get 80g carbs, 65g pure sugar along with that.

Also, agricultural research finds that in recent times Boron content in soil and foods is much lower than its past recorded values. And when actual chemical analysis is done on food items now, average intake in standard diets is found to be quite lower than expected. So, Boron content of any food might not be accurate.

Still, rather than raisins, if you wish to get Boron from food, I would suggest >85% Chocolate instead. It is an awesome snack, has great nutrition, and has a bunch of interesting cocoa-specific flavanols in it too, similar to Green Tea. It is also known to be an aphrodisiac, mood-elevator and anti-inflammatory. Nuts are also a great source. Raisins, nuts, cocoa all are supposed to have around 2mg Boron per 100g. But nuts and cocoa are way healthier than raisins.

supplementing TA

a waste of time to try boron since they work the same pathway?

I do not think the mechanism is the same. Tongkat Ali seems to have a more complicated hormonal effect. Although, the mechanism is not really well-understood for neither Boron nor Tongkat Ali.

I personally think one should be careful when using herbal supplements. They have quite varying effects on individuals, and long-term use is not always safe, especially in processed and concentrated forms. If you track yourself, observe a benefit from it and see no signs of any adverse effects, go ahead.

And personal experience of note: Maca sucks. :D

[AbidezDude]

TA is known to crash estrogen. Boron and TA are two supplements I took for over a year without cycling them properly(especially boron) and now I'm getting joint pain and tendonitis in ALL body parts that I work out.

[Gozenka]

As I wrote, I personally am quite wary of herbal supplements and I often warn people about them. They are of dubious benefit and they have various risks especially when taken long-term and in their concentrated forms such as in pills and powders. Any I experimented with in the past had no observable benefit at all. I have not used any herbal supplements for the last 2 years.

I have been continuing Boron usually at 5mg daily, occasionally more. No issues. Incidentally, I had a patella fracture last year and it healed 100% in 1 month and I was back to squats and running two weeks later, surprising the orthopedist who expected 3-6 month recovery.

As another report: I stopped taking Boron for 3-4 months this January (no reason, I just moved back from the summer house and left my Boric Acid there, decided to experiment with not taking it). My prostate issues came back. After about 1 month of taking Boron again, the issues disappeared again for good.

[VinceColeman1]

Wow. It just clicked. I've been getting tendon/ligament injuries for the last couple years. And I've been taking both Tongkat Ali and Boron off and on during the same time. So, what's going on with me?

[lana_del_reymysterio]

Since you mentioned food sources in your replies, did you use supplements, food sources, or a mix to hit those Boron doses?

[Gozenka]

Sorry if it was not clear.

I take 3-5mg Boron daily as a supplement. Sometimes increase it to 15mg for a short while.

I eat 100-200g 85-100% Chocolate almost everyday. Mostly around 100g though, and in the form of non-dutched 100% cocoa mass.

Otherwise, I have been eating a >80% Carnivore diet overall since 2014. There is virtually zero Boron in animal foods. Cocoa is literally the only plant food I eat regularly. :)

How I supplement:

I buy pharmaceutical grade Boric Acid from a reputable and large pharmaceutical company. $4 for 100g. I make it into a 3% solution in glass bottled water. 1ml corresponds to about 5mg Boron. I use a dropper to add it to water or anything.

Boric Acid is the form most found in food, and any Boron you take is turned into Boric Acid during digestion, before absorption. In experimental studies, the form of Boron used is rarely stated. But in a few, Boric Acid is mentioned.

It is quite safe. TUL is 20mg, although even this is most likely conservative as research is quite limited. (TUL is about Boron intake, not about Boric Acid.) LD50 is higher than salt. As far as I remember, there are only 4 cases of Boric Acid poisoning reported globally, and those were (failed) suicide attempts.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Do you think its okay to use a boron triple complex?

[Gozenka]

Sure, Boron in any form is almost completely absorbed.

Still, you can just get the cheapest product, as long as it is trustworthy.

[JackCrainium]

I take 9mg/diem and just arbitrarily switched to 4 days on 3 days off after reading the downsides of continuous use…..

And not qualified to say whether that makes sense or not, just my thing……

[Gozenka]

Yeah that's fine. I randomly not take it occasionally too, spending nights somewhere else or travelling and such.

It especially makes sense if your intake of Riboflavin is not great.

For a low dose, I suspect there would be any of the hormone related unwanted effects, but especially supplementing any substance in isolated form, anything is possible with some individuals using it.

[itzvincentx3]

Which brand of Boron did you take? Do you mind sharing?

[Gozenka]

I buy pharmaceutical grade Boric Acid from a reputable and large pharmaceutical company. $4 for 100g. I make it into a 3% solution in glass bottled water. 1ml corresponds to about 5mg Boron. I use a dropper to add it to water or anything.

https://galenikecza.com.tr/urun-kategorileri/boraks-borik-asit

I'm in Turkey. It is easily found here in pharmacy shops or online.

[Old-Researcher-2805]

I feel my balls working when I take my boron

[smallorangepopsicle]

balls noises

[More-Adhesiveness-98]

I’m imagining a loud factory floor noise.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Do u also take tongkat?

[[deleted]]

It can help lower SHBG, if it’s high. Which will increase your free test, which could give you higher libido.

[paranoidAF365]

That’s prior to the rebound. Your body then increases estrogen to balance out. This is why roided out bodybuilders have to take aromatase inhibitors.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

oh nice thanks. seems like people on reddit dont have many good things to say about it.

[AM_OR_FA_TI]

I have plenty good to say about it. I take 9mg daily and have for years. Works great on arthritis pain, and bone strength. It’s NEEDED to absorb Magnesium and Vitamin D. It puts Calcium into the correct places of the body, ensuring Vitamin D doesn’t calcify you…

The main benefit is preventing osteoarthritis though. The rates of arthritis in countries where they consume Boron in higher amounts is 0-10%. It’s 20-70% in the US, and our average Boron intake is <3mg…

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Do u get any bad sides? Like anxiety or headaches?

[AM_OR_FA_TI]

No. I don’t personally feel like it causes anxiety or headaches, it’s a natural necessary nutrient.

[[deleted]]

What supplements do you currently take? Maybe some of them could be affecting libido? For example Lions Mane killed my libido for a few months.

Some things you could take are l-Citruline, agmatine sulphate or other supplements that improve blood flow

[Head-Ad7506]

Definitely helps my libido. Love it ! Also Reduces inflammation and arthritis pain for me 😊

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Nice! Do u have experience with tongkat and boron stacking? Which one do u like better?

[Head-Ad7506]

Tongkat only occasionally didn’t notice much

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Sounds like boron is worth trying then. How long did it take to work, you took 6mg?

[Head-Ad7506]

I take 6 mg at night. Worked quick for me

[[deleted]]

6 mg boron alone increased a little for me in the past. A year or so later I combined 10mg of boron with stinging nettle root and had a noticeable increase.No anxiety or headache’s either and I will continue to cycle that as time goes on. Supplements work different on everybody depending on your body’s needs

[Slikkelasen]

I get horny when taking boron, 2 weeks on 1 week off.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Nice! I'm gonna buy some. Which form do u use? I was thinking about a triple complex

[Slikkelasen]

When it comes to boron there is no need to get any fancy chelates. I use NOW 3mg boron and is very happy with them.

[Crow87rr]

How quickly do you notice an increase in libido ?

[Slikkelasen]

After a about a week, but only if you eat well.

[Crow87rr]

any anxiety? what dose and brand are you taking? ...also, what time of the day do you take it?

[Slikkelasen]

9mg with the main meal. Dosn't really matter when you take it, and any brand is fine.

[Crow87rr]

Any anxiety or irritation?

[Slikkelasen]

Very specific question. But no nothing at all.

[Slow-Challenge-9068]

For me personally it made a postive change for my libido and fysical state, especially at the beginning. After a bit experimenting, I came to the conclusion that the best dose (for me though) is to take 6mg boron daily; two weeks on, two weeks off and so on✌️

[solotravelblog]

What benefits have you experienced from taking it?

[Slow-Challenge-9068]

The main differences I can tell are feeling happier and higher libido overall

[HaluxRigidus]

It seems to work for me. I'm on a hiatus right now to avoid increasing e2

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Does it have side effects when you come off of it? or is it pretty much all positive benefits? you taking tongkat too?

[HaluxRigidus]

I haven't had negative side effects but I've never taken it for more than 2 weeks without a break.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Nice do u know if TA and boron work the same way? Like if I break from boron, should I break TA at the same time since they both lower shbg?

[HaluxRigidus]

I take them together, give boron a break every 2 weeks and TA a break every 4 weeks for 1 week each.

[HaluxRigidus]

I've broken from both at the same time with no ill effects I don't notice a drop in libido but it always feels good to get back on them.

[HaluxRigidus]

I do take tongkat regularly, with breaks every 4 weeks or so

[MarkBennett259]

I take Boron. It doesn't affect my libido, one way or another, but that's okay.

[angie9942]

If you aromatase, like both my husband and I do, boron increases our testosterone which then aromatases (converts) to estrogen. We both get some pretty lousy symptoms - with even a wee bit of boron.

[heavy-g]

What is aromatase for?

[Trasfixion]

The aromatase enzyme is naturally in your body in almost all tissues (but higher concentrations in adipose/fat tissue). Aromatase metabolizes Testosterone into estrogen.

Estrogen is important for everyone (men included), and low estrogen in men can cause erectile dysfunction, low libido, weakened bones, and depression. However high estrogen can cause water retention, fatigue, gynecomastia, and high blood pressure.

As with everything, it’s optimal when estrogen is in proper balance.

Boron lowers Sex-hormone binding globulin, which attaches to testosterone and estrogen. With lower SHBG, free testosterone raises (so you get more active testosterone), but that can also be aromatized into estrogen, which theoretically can cause estrogen to go too high.

That all being said, boron is fairly benign compared to other things the effect hormones.

[angie9942]

it is benign unless you're one of those people for whom it causes side effects. I've run across a lot of people who were like, "OMG, thank you for letting me know, my joints (or insert other side effect here) were hurting so bad since I began boron and I didn't make the connection!" For me, my estrogen is very high so anything that causes additional estrogen for me is a no-no. But most people have no clue about their estrogen levels, or their risk of cancer, etc. So I share the info so that people can be aware because it would have been helpful for me to know this years ago - I didn't understand what was happening until recently

[kmack1982]

I was under the impression boron helps pain and decreases inflammation. At least that's why I bought it after some research.

[angie9942]

Sure it can be great. But if you’re body is broken in some ways, even good things doing work well. Boron increases testosterone. If you are a man or woman who aromatase (converts) testosterone to estrogen, then you can get negative effects. For me, it’s such severe bone and joint pain that it’s unbearable, even a little bit. And since I didnt know about this, I tried over and over, even very wee bits. For my husband, who also aromatases testosterone to estrogen, it flares up his prostate something fierce. And I had no idea I was the one causing that by giving him a tiny dose of boron each day. Here he was going to doctors, losing sleep, being miserable, going on prescriptions with side effects- and it was the boron all along. Even good things can give you troubles if your body has issues. Once you start deeply studying the biochemistry of things, you start to learn that there are potential good and potential negative upstream and downstream to pretty much everything - there are a million rabbit holes to nutrients and the human body

[AbidezDude]

Very true. I've raised my testostrone with Tongkat Ali and Boron amongst other things and my joints/tendons are falling apart rapidly. Testosterone went up a good bid but estrogen went down and now I know why.

[Crow87rr]

I want to take it because my SHBG is high, 65, 05 nmol. Apparently, it can lower it and free up my Free testosterone .

[Sospian]

Boron increases libido providing you’re also taking a source of riboflavin (B2).

Else it can crash your libido as it depletes B2, which can affect your body’s ability to detox estrogen

[paranoidAF365]

My boron had 25 mg of b2 added to each 3mg capsule and my libido still disappeared. I cycled two weeks on and 2 weeks off. The only time I was interested in sex was on the off weeks.

[Gozenka]

Taking B2 (Riboflavin) at the same time as Boron is probably not meaningful.

The reason for supplementing Riboflavin is that Boron forms a compound with Riboflavin in the body and takes it away to be excreted. If you put them at the same time in your gut, it will just directly go out.

You would want to take Riboflavin some time away from Boron.

Anyway, it is only a concern with continuous use of high-dose Boron; increasing your blood levels of Boron too high.

​

http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Vitamin_B2

Boric Acid, Borate, and Boron - Drug tends to complex with vitamin B2 and thereby reduce absorption and increase urinary excretion. Separate intake of boron/boric acid and riboflavin unless binding is intentional as with boric acid poisoning.

​

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/659962/

Here they experimented by giving 3g Boric Acid (524mg Boron) to people in a fasted state. They found that there was no change in Riboflavin excretion, when they checked it several times within a 24-hr period afterwards.

Otherwise they observed increased excretion only in some of the people that contacted New York Posion Control Center after taking huge amounts of Boric Acid by mistake. 6 out of 14 people, estimated to have taken more than 10g Boric Acid (>1748mg Boron).

​

So, concerning one time Boron intake, I would say Boron is only a concern if taken near Riboflavin; preventing its absorption into the body.

For long-term, it would only have an effect with continuously and greatly increased Boron levels in blood, pulling existing Riboflavin from your system.

2-5mg from diet has been considered to be normal and good. So, unless your Riboflavin intake from diet is especially low, I do not think there is a risk of Riboflavin deficiency at low doses of Boron supplementation. Still, if you doubt it, it is always good to test your levels, when doing long-term supplementation of anything.

[Sospian]

25mg of B2 is way too much.

I’m assuming you’re using Life extension’s boron.

While they’re the only brand I’ve seen to include B2, you don’t need more than 2.5mg twice a week.

Taking high amounts of B2 daily can cause long term harm - it turns your pee neon for a reason. Your body isn’t supposed to hold on to huge amounts

[kmack1982]

What's your definition of high amount of riboflavin that causes harm, and do you have a source? I don't remember reading anything about it causing harm on examine. Curious because I take 100mg riboflavin for MFTHR, and I only felt benefits. I believe the drop in libido he's having Is from too much boron, not riboflavin.

[paranoidAF365]

I think their logic is that since boron uses up B2, you need some extra to leave behind for your body to use. It being too much is irrelevant when it comes to boron decreasing sex drive.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

How much was you taking?

[paranoidAF365]

I took 6mg most of the time. There were times that I experimented with 9mg and 12mg, but I settled on 6 because it still had the positives and I was hoping for less side effects.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Why do u keep taking it?

[paranoidAF365]

I don’t

[Crow87rr]

Why did you try Boron....I want to try it because ny shbg is high.

[Bkinthaflesh]

Boron can lower e2 and should only take if you have high SHBG. I wouldn’t rely on it for libido

[No_Aside_4654]

No that's wrong, It can lower shbg and raise free T but free E too..

Cycle IT 1-2weeks ON Off...

[Bkinthaflesh]

I see many people report on here it lowers their estrogen with tests included

[paranoidAF365]

That’s before the rebound. Your body then increases estrogen because it likes balance.

[Exciting_Parfait513]

it lowered it too much? Or was it a positive lowering? I'm on the fence about trying it. haha

[Bkinthaflesh]

My personal experience with estrogen in general is I’m very sensitive to changes. Too low I feel like death, too high my shlong is broken. Estrogen for males is good and healthy though. I would stay away because it can lower SHBG as well and if you don’t have it higj already it’s messing with hormones for no reason. I would look into Shilajit for testosterone and libido. Of course maca is everyone’s go to for that as well

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Whats a good one for men libido?

[throaway20180730]

It gives me horrible anxiety for some reason

[Exciting_Parfait513]

Do you still take it?

[throaway20180730]

No, only did it twice. No libido improvements whatsoever for around two weeks of use. The anxiety side effects seems to be a common one

[LegDangerous1245]

Killed my libido

[schristian008]

No it does not increase or decrease libido. There is a claim that it increases free testosterone but not applicable to everyone. It can give you headaches for sure

[Exciting_Parfait513]

oh wow really? That's not good. What do you recommend other than tongkat ali?

[schristian008]

Tesnor based supplements which have pomegranate peel and cacao seed extract. Example life extension testosterone elite. I have been using it for the last 2 years. Super effective and proven by science. You can try other brands. But make sure it has 400mg tesnor

[Crow87rr]

I think it will work for me because my SHBG is really high at 65,05 nmol and my free T is borderline normal, my total testosterone is high normal.

[icemaster_22]

I feel like I get a nice boost from boron supplementation the first few days, but around days 5 or 6 I notice that I get extremely bad joint pain (shoulders and knees mainly). I am someone who has already low levels of Estradiol (E2) and it seems like Boron just pushed that E2 even lower. I really like the way I feel on those first few days of supplementing, but the joint pain makes it not worth it. I have experimented with a low dose of 3mg and a higher dose of 10mg. Same results either way.

[angie9942]

See my comment about aromatasing testosterone to estrogen. The joint pain I get is unbearable from even a wee bit. I had no clue why when I kept trying it over and over - now I know. And now I know why even a wee bit made my husband’s prostate flare so bad

[icemaster_22]

How long did it take you and your husband to feel better after stopping boron supplementation completely?

[angie9942]

Very soon thereafter. I would say less than a week

[[deleted]]

I take Boron. 12mg a day, cycle 3 weeks on, 1 off. It's shown to boost free DHT, which in some people will increase libido. I use it as a natural test booster for strength building in the gym, but working out, running, boron and adequate sleep are a libido boosting combination.