Aphrodisiacs – how much do we actually know about them? Better yet… do they actually work?
An aphrodisiac is a drink, sense or drug that has the potential to incite sexual desire in a person. Some commonly used aphrodisiacs include dark chocolate, champagne and strawberries; some less common rumoured aphrodisiacs include figs, Ginseng and saffron.
While these products are consumed regularly, especially chocolate which sells billions of kilos every Valentine’s Day, do they actually enhance sexual desire?
Surprisingly, there is a lack of scientific evidence surrounding the effectiveness of these aphrodisiacs, but of the small amount of research out there, it has been indicated that certain substances can cause chemical reactions resulting in higher sexual satisfaction.
How does this work? Well, apparently it all comes down to hormones – testosterone in particular. When a person’s testosterone levels are just right, a sensory stimulant sends a signal from the brain’s limbic lobe through to the central nervous system in the pelvic region, which causes blood vessels to dilate, creating a pleasant throbbing sensation.
Tune into the full episode of Huh? Science Explained below…