PlainPill

L-Arginine

People mainly take L-Arginine for libido, heart & lipids, performance. Based on 146 first-hand reports and 106 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #158 of 2,750 overall.

48
User score
Mixed
20% positive8% mixed10% negative63% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 53% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
106
meta-analyses
765
RCTs
38,170
papers

What L-Arginine does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

J Am Coll Cardiol · 2022 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Micronutrient Supplementation to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk

Conclusion: Supplementation of some but not all micronutrients may benefit cardiometabolic health. This study highlights the importance of micronutrient diversity and the balance of benefits and risks to promote and maintain cardiovascular health in diverse populations. (Antioxidant Supplementation in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases; CRD42022315165).

PubMed 36480969 ↗
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Effect of food sources of nitrate, polyphenols, L-arginine and L-citrulline on endurance exercise performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Conclusion: Foods rich in polyphenols and nitrate provide trivial benefits for endurance exercise performance, although these effects may be food dependent. Highly trained endurance athletes do not appear to benefit from consuming nitrate-rich foods but may benefit from polyphenol consumption. Further research into food sources, dosage and supplementation duration to optimise the ergogenic response to polyphenol consumption is warranted. Further studies should evaluate whether differential sex-based responses to nitrate and polyphenol consumption are attributable to physiological differences or sample siz

PubMed 34965876 ↗
Curr Cardiol Rev · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Cardiovascular Changes in Menopause

Conclusion: The increased cardiovascular risk in menopause stems from the exaggerated effects of changing physiology on the cardiovascular system affecting peripheral, cardiac and cerebrovascular beds. The differential effects of menopause on cardiovascular disease at the subclinical, biochemical and molecular levels form the highlights of this review.

PubMed 33155924 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

2 gbefore bed
500 mgdaily
2 weeksas reported
2000mgdaily
1 gas reported
4-6 gdaily

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

diarrhea ×4stomach issues ×4chest pain ×1tongue biting ×1cold sores ×1headache ×1lysine depletion ×1shortness of ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“currently taking: glucosamine, whey protein, l-arginine, multivitamin, omega 3, magnesium, collagen (7g)”
Source discussion ↗
“I tried different forms and dosages of Magnesium, Zinc, L-Tyrosine, melatonin, L-Arginine, ALPHA-GPC... most of them didn't provide any meaningful and noticeable benefits”
Source discussion ↗
“significant boosted HGh with L-Arginine /L-Lysine 2 grams on an empty stomach before bed.”
Source discussion ↗
“Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans.”
Source discussion ↗
“l-arginine is the precursor to nitric oxide, should theoretically do the same thing as piracetam except much better.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for libido

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate