Highlights
- Performer 8 claims to increase sexual performance and stamina, increase testosterone, and other benefits.
- Performer 8 pills contain eleven different ingredients that seem to need more research before any medical claims can be made one way or the other.
- ED medication has been more extensively reviewed and shown to work more reliably than herbal supplements like Performer 8.
Male enhancement pills are everywhere, making bold promises. But does the science hold up, and what do critics say? We took a look at Performer 8, one of the most popular male enhancement supplements, to see if it rises above the typical gas station sex pills. [Español]
What Are Performer 8 Male Enhancement Pills?
According to the website, Performer 8 male enhancement capsules are herbal supplements for “all-natural male enhancement system” with nine herbal ingredients. The manufacturer’s claim that Performer 8 increases bedroom performance by a factor of 8, hence the name. It’s supposed to be taken three times a day and is sold in packages of 30, 90, and 180 pills.
What Are the Ingredients in Performer 8?
The manufacturer claims the ingredients in this product are natural aphrodisiacs that increase testosterone and increase sexual performance and stamina.
According to the label, Performer 8 pills contain:
- Muira puama extract
- KSM-66 Ashwagandha, a patented root extract made by an outside vendor
- Ferrous bisglycinate, an iron supplement that’s reportedly easier for the body to absorb
- Maca root extract
- Asian ginseng
- Barrenwort, better known as horny goat weed
- Pine bark extract
- Glucuronolactone
- Grape seed extract
If you check the label posted online, you’ll also notice that it includes vitamins B5 and B6, which are not discussed in detail anywhere on the website. The dose of vitamin B6 is extremely high, 300% of what you need to prevent deficiency. Ultra-high doses of B6 can potentially cause nerve damage or other health problems, but because it is water-soluble, excess amounts are excreted in the urine. Unless you’re already eating foods extremely rich in B vitamins, you’re unlikely to experience any risk from the B6 in this product.
The Performer 8 label also lists specific amounts of each herb, although precisely why those doses were chosen is unclear. The site also states that none of these ingredients is genetically modified, although there’s no independent authority or other certification we could find on the site to verify this claim.
Is There Any Evidence That the Ingredients in Performer 8 Work for ED?
Performer 8 makes no specific medical claims and doesn’t claim to treat any medical condition like ED. Instead, it claims to increase your sexual stamina and make your erections firmer and harder, among other claims. The website copy mentions specific studies but doesn’t link to them directly. Sources are included at the bottom of the website with footnote numbers, but we couldn’t find any corresponding footnotes on the site itself.
What’s more, the sources provided don’t necessarily agree with the claims. For example, a study cited on maca root claims that it “improved sexual desire” but was unable to explain how, which implies a possible placebo effect. Others were studies done on animals, such as rats. While animal studies are useful first steps when researching a product’s effects, those effects don’t always translate to humans.
Other studies cited were simply unrelated, such as a study discussing possible psychiatric effects of certain enzymes.
Beyond these sources, independent research doesn’t find much to back up these claims. Here’s a sampling of what we found:
- A comprehensive review of the literature in 2020 found little evidence that muira puama, maca root, ginseng, or barrenwort had any appreciable impact on ED.
- KSM-66 Ashwagandha’s patent holder has a full page of clinical studies on various effects, including several on testosterone and sexual wellness. However, most seem to be small-scale studies; more research is needed.
- The claims about ferrous bisglycinate being easier to absorb and gentler on the digestive system than standard iron supplements seems true, although the most comprehensive study was conducted on pregnant women, not men.
- The study on pine bark extract was accurately represented but was a very small study, with just 53 participants, and will need to be replicated in larger-scale trials.
- Glucuronolactone is extremely common in nature, and probably best known outside of medical circles for being added to energy drinks. A 2009 scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, the European equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration, found that glucuronolactone likely has limited effects on humans, for good or ill.
- Grape seed extract has been studied for possible effects on blood pressure, but the site correctly calls these “early studies,” and we should be careful in drawing conclusions.
Is Performer 8 Safe?
We found no indication that Performer 8 has any ingredients that would put the average person at risk or that it has any undesirable side effects. That said, talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement, and check to ensure that you’re not allergic to any of its ingredients.
What Do Performer 8 Reviews Say?
It was very difficult to find authentic reviews for this product. Amazon reviews have limited use, as counterfeit Performer 8 products are fairly common on the site. We also found many “articles” that were labeled as reviews but are clearly promotional content.
Of the independent reviews we did find, the opinions were mixed. For example, MIDSS, which had the review independently checked by an MD, praised Performer 8 but didn’t give any credence to its claims, saying instead that it helps with conditions that might cause problems in the bedroom such as high blood pressure.
HealthCanal, in an article reviewed by a nurse, stated, “It might work for you, it might not.”
One point in Performer 8’s favor is that, unlike some other supplements, it hasn’t drawn the attention of the FDA. We found no FDA warnings about this product, and it doesn’t appear on the FDA’s list of tainted sexual enhancement products. However, we should note that because the FDA doesn’t regulate herbal supplements, a product’s absence from the list does not necessarily indicate that it’s safe or effective.
Is Performer 8 Worth the Money?
While Performer 8 seems generally safe and likely poses little risk, there’s also little evidence that it offers any benefit compared to prescription ED drugs.
Here’s why:
- ED drugs have been studied extensively in laboratory and human trials. Herbal supplements like Performer 8 aren’t regulated by the FDA.
- FDA-approved ED medications are available as generics and have been on the market for decades, so their benefits and drawbacks are well known.
- ED medication can be prescribed via a telehealth appointment and shipped to your door, making them as convenient as over-the-counter supplements.
- ED medication costs the same as Performer 8 while much more likely to produce results. A month’s supply of 90 capsules works out to approximately $2.16 a day, not much lower than the prices you can get on generic ED drugs if you shop around.
Don’t Rely On Untested Supplements to Treat Your ED
While supplements may seem like a promising way to treat ED, as we’ve seen above, much more research needs to be done to prove their safety and effectiveness. eDrugstore can help you get FDA-approved ED medication by connecting you with a complimentary telehealth consultation, helping you find the right ED drug for your needs and lifestyle, and even shipping it to your door. You can begin treating your ED with confidence.
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Dan is a long-time freelance writer focusing on technology, science, health, and medicine, with a lifelong interest in physics, biology, and medicine. His work has taken a particular focus on scientific studies “beyond the headlines,” reading the study to more closely examine the results.