Aphrodisiacs: are they really effective?

Derived from the greek goddess of love 'Aphrodite', aphrodisiacs serves as a form of 'lust stimulant' or agent that evokes concealed sexual desire in both males and females. Throughout history, aphrodisiacs have been known to be present in several concoctions,brews and even scents, some queer, but still popularly embraced worldwide and still, for many years to come.


How they work:

First, let's be clear that Viagra is not an aphrodisiac in the sense that even if it does improve performance and ability, it does not however, create sexual desire. Now according to experts, aphrodisiacs works in two ways. One, there are those that directly influence or affect the brain, while others have that pleasurable impact on parts of the body. Like for example, an increase of blood flow in the sex organs leading to the simulation of feelings associated with intercourse or sexual desire. Our hormone levels play a key role, most specifically the testosterone in these cases and if the balance is off, things would not function as they should. That is, if there is a lacking in testosterone, our sexual interest would decline.

Some commonly known aphrodisiacs:

Chocolate
Chocolate through time has been popularly associated with love and romance. The Mayan civilizations even called it 'food of the gods.' And why not? Besides the irresistible taste, researchers have studied this delicacy and have found it to contain phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are both 'feel good' chemicals. They occur naturally in our bodies and are released by our brains when we are feeling passionate or in love. Aside from these two chemicals, some researchers have also discovered chocolate to contain a substance called anandamide, which has the same effect as marijuana on the brain.

Coffee
Besides being a favorite among early morning risers, coffee has been known to be an aphrodisiac in which the caffeine in it acts as a stimulant, increasing our awareness and arguably enhances sexual appetite as well.

Scents
Scents are the most powerful of human senses & can instantly trigger that hidden craving or desire and even dig up some buried memories in the past. Perfumes in any angle you put it, does the trick and attracts the opposite sex like a powerful magnet.

Music
Music sets the perfect mood, along with minimal lights plus the couch. Or so, it varies. Human senses are powerful reactors and can trigger emotions. Music has a tremendous effect on human emotion whether it be depressing or joyful. What more if you're with a special companion and temperatures begin to rise. Put on that music!

Touch
A massage or touching another person represents a form of intimacy, whether based on friendship or something beyond that. It creates a special bond between two people and often arouses that sexual desire in most cases.


So do aphrodisiacs actually work?

Throughout extensive research over the years, results showed that certain foods, supplements and herbs increase production of hormones or natural chemicals that affect our libidos. It is however, unknown if these supplements actually create enough chemicals in our body for a noticeable change. And scientists have found it difficult to conduct further research on the study of libido and desire. Furthermore, the FDA suggests that aphrodisiacs are merely folklore and lack concrete scientific basis. Despite claims from most cultures that there is a tried and proven aphrodisiac.