A Reality Check on Hoodia
What it is, what went wrong, and what works instead.
The 10-Second Summary
What Exactly Is Hoodia?
Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant native to the Kalahari Desert. Ideally, it contains a molecule called P57, which was heavily marketed as a powerful appetite suppressant used traditionally by the San people during long hunting trips.
But there is a massive gap between the traditional use of the fresh plant and the dried pills sold on the internet today.
Read the full history of Hoodia →Does It Actually Work?
The short answer: We don't know for sure, but the outlook is bleak.
While animal studies showed some promise for P57, human trials have been disappointing, halted due to side effects, or never published. The "miracle" weight loss claims were largely marketing fabrications that outpaced the science.
Deep dive into the evidence →Why You Can't Find Real Hoodia
In the mid-2000s, demand for Hoodia exceeded the global supply by nearly 600%. The result? A market flooded with fake capsules containing sawdust, standard cacti, or completely different fillers. Even today, finding certified, authentic Hoodia gordonii is exceptionally difficult.
How the scam works →