Shilajit for Men – The Truth About Testosterone, Libido & Performance

    Quick Summary:

    • Shilajit is trending — but the science is limited: Only a couple of clinical studies exist, and the main testosterone study was funded by the manufacturer of the product tested.
    • It may raise testosterone a little: The 2016 study showed a ~20% increase in total testosterone in healthy men aged 45–55, within the normal range. It won’t push you above normal range.
    • No proven effect on erections: Despite the “nature’s Viagra” nickname, no clinical studies show shilajit helps with erectile dysfunction.
    • Heavy metal contamination is a real risk: Shilajit comes from mountain rock and can contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. Always buy from a company with third-party purity testing.
    • Results take at least 3 months: The clinical studies ran for 90 days minimum. Don’t expect quick results.
    • AlphaViril has a longer proven track record: It contains multiple ingredients with long-term human clinical studies — and it optimizes testosterone, estrogen, DHT, prolactin, cortisol, and dopamine together.

    Shilajit. I’ve had lots of guys ask me to do a video about it.

    You’ve probably seen it all over social media — being called “nature’s Viagra” or the “ultimate testosterone booster.”

    But is this ancient black resin really the answer to boosting testosterone, improving your performance in the bedroom, and supercharging your libido?

    Or is it just another overhyped supplement scam?

    By the way, I’ve wasted so much money on worthless supplements, fads, and lies over the years that I’ve become very cautious about all of this. I don’t want to get ripped off. And I don’t want any supplements that could hurt my health.

    So today I’m going to dive into the actual science of shilajit — looking at real clinical studies and separating fact from fiction.

    I’ll give you my own feedback and testing results at the end.

    What Is Shilajit?

    First, let’s talk about what shilajit actually is.

    Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like resin that oozes out of rocks in mountain ranges — primarily in the Himalayas.

    It forms over centuries from the decomposition of plant matter and minerals, creating a nutrient-dense substance that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

    What makes it special? Shilajit is loaded with fulvic acid — which makes up 60 to 80% of its composition — along with over 80 different minerals in ionic form, amino acids, humic acid, and various antioxidants.

    Fulvic acid is particularly interesting because it helps transport nutrients into cells more efficiently. This is part of why shilajit has been studied for its potential health benefits.

    Does Shilajit Actually Boost Testosterone?

    Let’s get to what you’re really here for — does shilajit boost testosterone?

    The good news is — yes.

    The bad news is that the research is a little shady. Let me explain.

    The main study everyone cites is a 2016 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the journal Andrologia.

    Here’s what they did:

    • 96 healthy men between the ages of 45 and 55 were given either 250 mg of purified shilajit twice daily or a placebo
    • After 90 consecutive days, the shilajit group showed statistically significant increases in total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEA
    • Total testosterone increased by about 20%, free testosterone by about 19%, and DHEA by over 31%

    But here’s the catch.

    This study was funded by the manufacturer of the shilajit product used in the trial.

    This doesn’t automatically invalidate the results. However, for me, it also doesn’t give as much value. You have no idea what previous tests they may have done that did NOT work — and simply didn’t publish.

    They will only publish results that did work. And that means they most likely manipulated the study. This happens a lot. In fact, this is why 90% of clinical studies are worthless.

    Another important fact: the study showed that shilajit raised testosterone within the normal range, in healthy men aged 45–55.

    And it definitely won’t push you beyond normal.

    Shilajit and Libido — Does It Help?

    So what about libido and erectile function?

    Sadly, this is where things get less clear.

    While shilajit has been nicknamed “nature’s Viagra,” there are no direct clinical studies measuring its effects on erectile dysfunction in humans.

    However, the connection to testosterone is relevant here. Testosterone plays a crucial role in sexual desire and performance. Since the 2016 study showed increased testosterone and DHEA, it’s reasonable to think that men with low testosterone might see some improvements in libido.

    Participants in the testosterone study did report increases in energy, libido, and overall well-being.

    However, there was no improvement in erectile function.

    And this is because erections involve multiple factors.

    Yes, you need high testosterone levels. But you also need to optimize other key hormones — estrogen, DHT, prolactin, cortisol, and dopamine. That’s exactly what AlphaViril is designed to do.

    You also need better blood flow. This is how PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra and Cialis work. Or you can take supplements that increase nitric oxide — like beetroot extract, citrulline, arginine, and the ingredients found in Blood Flow Optimizer.

    Shilajit for Sperm Quality and Fertility

    Here’s where shilajit shows some genuine potential — male fertility and sperm quality.

    A clinical trial on infertile men who took purified shilajit twice daily for 90 days showed an improvement in sperm count, sperm motility, and overall reproductive health markers.

    Shilajit provides fulvic acid, trace minerals, and antioxidant compounds that help reduce oxidative stress — a major factor in sperm damage and reduced motility.

    But here’s the catch — results take time. Improvements in sperm quality require at least three months of consistent supplementation.

    Additionally, this study was done with infertile men. So if your fertility is normal, shilajit probably won’t make any improvements.

    Shilajit Side Effects and Safety Concerns

    Now let’s talk about side effects and safety.

    Heavy metal contamination is the biggest concern.

    Because shilajit comes from the Earth’s crust, it can contain toxic heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. Even in small amounts, these can cause serious health problems — including organ damage and cancer.

    Both raw shilajit and some commercial products have tested for high metal concentrations exceeding safety thresholds.

    This means if you choose to use shilajit, you absolutely must buy from a reputable company that provides third-party testing certificates for purity and heavy metals.

    Other potential side effects include:

    • Rare allergic reactions
    • Skin redness
    • Possible interactions with hormonal treatments or medications

    Who should avoid shilajit?

    • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
    • Those with elevated iron levels, as shilajit may increase iron further

    The Verdict on Shilajit for Men

    So what’s the bottom line?

    The Good:

    • Legitimate scientific evidence shows it may increase testosterone in healthy middle-aged men
    • May support sperm quality and fertility — but only in infertile men
    • Has been used safely in traditional medicine for centuries

    The Reality Check:

    • Research is still limited and early-stage — only a couple of studies exist
    • The main testosterone study was funded by the manufacturer
    • Won’t push testosterone above normal ranges
    • Has not been shown to help with erectile dysfunction
    • Quality and purity are major concerns
    • Results require consistent use for at least 3 months

    My Suggestion on Shilajit

    If you have some extra cash and 3 months, give it a try. Just make sure the label shows the correct dosage and extract — such as 20% Fulvic Acid.

    You also need at least 500 mg of active ingredient daily. So if a product says 1000 mg serving but has a 20% extract, that’s only 200 mg of active ingredient. In that case, you’d need 2,500 mg total to get 500 mg of active ingredient.

    But honestly, there are other ingredients with a much longer proven track record — more clinical studies for both effectiveness and safety.

    Especially when it comes to testosterone, libido, and erections.

    That’s why AlphaViril only contains proven ingredients with multiple long-term human clinical studies. And as I’ve said many times — you don’t want to only focus on testosterone. You also want to optimize other key hormones: estrogen, DHT, prolactin, cortisol, and dopamine. All these hormones work together. When you’re younger, they’re nicely balanced and optimized.

    AlphaViril is designed to help optimize all of these youth hormones. I made it for myself because I didn’t want to take 5 or 6 different products.

    You can also read more about natural ways to boost testosterone and how to fix low testosterone naturally on this site.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Shilajit for Men

    Does shilajit really boost testosterone?

    There is some clinical evidence that shilajit may increase testosterone levels in healthy middle-aged men. The main 2016 study showed a roughly 20% increase in total testosterone in men aged 45 to 55 after 90 days. However, that study was funded by the manufacturer of the product tested, which raises questions about bias. Shilajit will not push testosterone above normal ranges.

    Is shilajit nature’s Viagra?

    No. Despite the popular nickname, no clinical studies have shown that shilajit helps with erectile dysfunction in men. While participants in the main testosterone study reported improvements in libido and energy, they showed no improvement in erectile function. Erections depend on multiple factors including testosterone, other key hormones, and blood flow — all of which AlphaViril is specifically designed to address.

    Is shilajit safe to take?

    Purified shilajit from reputable brands is generally considered safe when used as directed. However, the biggest safety concern is heavy metal contamination. Because shilajit comes from mountain rock, it can contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium at dangerous levels. Always buy from a company that provides third-party testing certificates for heavy metals and purity. Avoid raw or unprocessed shilajit entirely.

    How much shilajit should I take for testosterone?

    The clinical study used 250 mg of purified shilajit twice daily for 90 days. Dr. Sam recommends looking for a product standardized to at least 20% fulvic acid and getting at least 500 mg of the active ingredient daily. If a product says 1000 mg but only has a 20% extract, that is only 200 mg of active ingredient — meaning you would need 2500 mg total to get the effective dose.

    Does shilajit help with sperm quality and fertility?

    There is some evidence that shilajit may improve sperm count and motility in infertile men. A clinical trial showed improvements in reproductive health markers after 90 days of twice-daily supplementation. However, this was specifically in infertile men. If your fertility is already normal, shilajit likely won’t make any noticeable difference.

    What is a better alternative to shilajit for testosterone and libido?

    AlphaViril by Dr. Sam Robbins contains multiple proven ingredients — each backed by long-term human clinical studies — that support testosterone, estrogen balance, DHT, prolactin, cortisol, and dopamine together. Unlike shilajit, which has only one or two manufacturer-funded studies, AlphaViril is built around ingredients with a much longer and more reliable track record for men’s hormone health, libido, and performance.

    How long does shilajit take to work?

    Based on the available clinical studies, shilajit requires at least 3 months of consistent daily supplementation before any meaningful results in testosterone or sperm quality. This is because improvements in these areas happen gradually over time. Do not expect fast or dramatic results.

    What does fulvic acid in shilajit do?

    Fulvic acid makes up 60 to 80% of shilajit’s composition and is considered its most active component. It helps transport nutrients into cells more efficiently and may reduce oxidative stress, which is a major factor in sperm damage and hormonal dysfunction. When choosing a shilajit supplement, look for a standardized extract with at least 20% fulvic acid listed on the label.

    1. Pandit S, et al. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. 2016;48(5):570–575. Wiley
    2. Biswas TK, et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. 2010;42(1):48–56. PubMed
    3. Hussain A, et al. Hazardous or Advantageous: Uncovering the Roles of Heavy Metals and Humic Substances in Shilajit (Phyto-mineral Diffusion). Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024. PubMed
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