Is 800mg Tongkat Ali too much for me? Here is a guide on how much you should take
Overview
It is reported that Dr. Andrew Huberman takes between 400mg of Tongkat Ali whilst biohacker Bryan Johnson takes the same amount, but on the other end, 62-year-old longevity enthusiast David Pascoe takes 1,020mg of Tongkat Ali daily.
This begs a clear answer if 800mg is sufficient or too much for first-time herbal users, and whether it is suitable for seasoned Tongkat Ali users who opt to switch to a different brand with higher potency.
Many American Reddit users share their bad experiences after taking 800mg of Tongkat Ali as most US-made brands contain impurities, contaminants and allergens.
Whilst the range of 400mg to 600mg may be safe over short-term, many believe taking 800mg of Tongkat Ali is considered excessive.
If you take 800mg of Tongkat Ali, you should not be taking Ashwagandha or Fadogia Agrestis together or on the same day as it may not be safe for your kidneys, particularly if you have undiagnosed Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD).
According to toxicity studies, the upper safety limit of Tongkat Ali is relatively high, at approximately 1,200mg in a single day – and this value is based on a safety factor of 10. So in reality, there is a huge safety buffer should you accidentally take more than 1,200mg a day.
If your body uses more energy (due to physical activities or sports) than an average person who is sedentary, then 800mg is generally optimal for your testosterone support.
And that is why active healthy adults like 62-year-old David Pascoe (who takes 1,020mg of Tongkat Ali) looks younger and healthier than 47-year-old biohacker Bryan Johnson who may not be exercising as hard as David.
It is common for endurance athletes to take 800mg or more of Tongkat Ali before ultramarathon races to boost stamina and endurance without any reported side effects. But high doses can only be safe if it contains no impurities.
According to 38-year-old ultramarathon athlete, Marwan Faiz, he took more than 800mg of Tongkat Ali (1,000mg to be precise) during his 60km race for the first time and felt amazing. As a functional health coach, he added that Tongkat Ali helped him to boost his endurance and energy from Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic and anabolic bioactive ingredients – eg: eurycomanone, eurypeptides and glycosaponin.
Taking 800mg Tongkat Ali is not excessive if you are doing long hours of cardio exercises, or high intensity training, especially for endurance athletes.
For men in their 20s or 30s, consuming 800mg Tongkat Ali may considered “too much” for the body as their testosterone, cortisol and dopamine may already be at optimal levels. Exceeding this amount may cause jittery, tingling sensation, uneasiness or even nausea for younger adults who are less active.
The same effects can be observed if you are intolerant to alkaloids, caffeine or other adaptogenic herbs that contain high amounts of quassinoids, especially if you are taking it for the first time.
However, health experts believe there are conditions that allow you to take 800mg of Tongkat Ali, or at higher doses, but within a short period, and not for daily long term use.
In this article, we find out if taking 800mg is too much, or suitable for you. We shall explain various factors, conditions and reasons that will help you decide how much should you take at the end of the day.
1. Depends on the Extract Strength and Standardization
The consensus is that 800 mg of Tongkat Ali isn’t necessarily too much and it largely depends on the type and strength of the Tongkat Ali extract used during the production stage.
According to nutritionists and herbal researchers, a high-potency standardized extract (like a 1:200 ratio or hot water extract with >2% eurycomanone) may require lower doses (200–400 mg) that are suitable for daily consumption, while weaker root powders might need higher doses.
For instance, longevity expert Bryan Johson is taking 400mg to 600mg of Tongkat Ali, a range that is well below 800mg, and this dosage could be safe due to higher potency extract and the fact that he is taking other 100+ supplements daily.
To determine if 800mg is best for you, always check the label and early signs if it is working for you. Worst still, it may give you unwanted mild side effects that will go away when you lower your dose.
2. Clinically Tested Doses Often Go Up to 600–800 mg
Most clinical studies on humans are tested on daily doses of 200–600 mg, but in the real-world performance tests, those taking more than 800mg of standardized Tongkat Ali hot water root extract did not report any minor or major side effects.
According to scientists that were involved in the clinical studies on Physta Tongkat Ali extract, most of the testosterone studies, immunological studies and the effects of libido, strength and stamina on both men and women were performed based on 200 to 400mg, making it within the acceptable range of what should be a safe dose if you are worried about exceeding the 800mg daily dose.
However, real world performance tests by endurance athletes taking AKARALI Physta Tongkat Ali showed significant improvement in energy, stamina and recovery after completing 30 to 50km long distance running in high temperatures with extreme humidity.
Long distance marathon runners take 800mg during races, where your body requires nutrition and adaptogenic support for optimal performance. This dose is considered optimal for men exposed to high stress and extreme conditions.
“Yes I took 800mg of Tongkat Ali in a single dose during my 50km ultra trail marathon and it fueled my energy throughout the race” said 38-year-old functional expert Marwan Faized after completing his UTMB Chiang Mai race in 2024. He added that Tongkat Ali reduces his dependency on energy gels substantially.
Since long-term safety data at 800 mg is still limited and despite relatively safe, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider if using this dose regularly.
3. It Might Be Too Much for Beginners
If you’re new to Tongkat Ali, starting with 200–400 mg per day as what Dr. Andrew Huberman suggested, and it is usually recommended to assess tolerance for at least four weeks.
Bryan Johnson’s anti-aging supplement also includes 200mg to 400mg of Tongkat Ali per day and 600mg of Ashwagandha, along with metformin and 100 other supplements. On the extreme end of the spectrum, 62-year-old longevity enthusiast David Pascoe is beating Bryan Johnson’s quest by taking 1,020mg of Tongkat Ali.
David Pascoe takes Tongkat Ali complex daily at 1,020mg and remains fit, healthy and looks younger than his age. But if you are young and taking it for the first time, 800mg may be too much.
According to several certified dietitians and health coach, jumping straight to 800 mg might cause side effects like restlessness, irritability, or insomnia in sensitive individuals as reported by Reddit users.
Taking above the 800mg threshold in a single intake may not be suitable, especially those who have low tolerance on alkaloids of psychoactive substances (eg: caffeine).
4. High Doses Can Be Effective for Intense Physical Activity
800 mg is commonly used by serious athletes, weightlifters, or individuals with high testosterone needs, especially when under intense physical or hormonal stress.
24-year-old British sprinter Khadafi Javeed takes 600mg during his daily training, and he limits his intake not exceeding 800mg even during off days.
Whilst, ultramarathon runner Marwan Faiz took 800mg which he claimed to have noticeable effect on his stamina, helping him to complete his 60km race during Cameron Ultramarathon in Malaysia and other races in Thailand.
I took 800mg of Tongkat Ali in a single shot without any negative side effects, and it improved my stamina and endurance during my 60km race. I felt really strong
In those scenarios such as sprinting and running, 800mg of Tongkat Ali might not be “too much” but rather optimal, as long as it is taken short-term and monitored.
5. Everything Depends on Body Weight, Health Status, and Duration
A 63 kg person may find 800 mg excessive if used daily long-term, but someone 90+ kg doing heavy training might tolerate it well.
According to medical drugs experts, the efficacy of any drugs including adaptogenic/anabolic herbs such as Tongkat Ali depend heavily on your bodyweight. The rule of thumb is to increase your dose if you have higher BMI, therefore do check your weight first before attempting to swallow anything above 800mg.
Bryan Johnson who is lighter than David Pascoe takes 400mg of Tongkat Ali, and given he takes 54 to 100 pills daily, it may not be safe to take 800mg or higher doses if you are taking other supplements.
“800mg of Tongkat Ali is considered optimal if you are doing weights, and helps maintain or build lean muscle for bodybuilders”, said Justin, a certified nutritionist from Boston. He added, “Older seasoned bodybuilders are taking between 600mg to 1,000mg without reported side effects on kidney damage”.
What matters more is how often you take it, whether you cycle it, and if you have underlying health issues as these conditions will determine whether 800mg of Tongkat Ali is safe, tolerable or effective vis-à-vis your end objectives.
Parting Thoughts:
In conclusion, 800 mg of Tongkat Ali isn’t inherently too much — but it’s not a one-size-fits-all dose. Factors like extract strength, body weight, activity level, and individual tolerance all matter. While some clinical studies, fitness enthusiasts and athletes safely use this amount, beginners should start lower. As with any supplement, quality and consistency are key in building higher tolerance and adaptation.
When in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional and listen to your body before making any dosage adjustment.