Viagra and Aphrodisiacs

An aphrodisiac is any product that can increase sexual desire. Sometimes this product may not actually cause any increase but may just be perceived to be doing so. Irrespective of whether the product has any actual physiological effect or not, if the product does increase sexual desire then it has accomplished its task. In ancient Greece, there were many foods that were supposedly used to increase sexual desire. These have carried on in folklore and are even today consumed for the characteristics that they are known for. Western medical science however refutes the theory that there are foods that can enhance desire and claim that the perception on an increase is felt due to the placebo effect. Added to the placebo effect is the sympathetic magic theory that claims that foods that are shaped as the genitalia also tend to be considered as products that increase sexual desire. Oysters, bananas and carrots are therefore considered to increase sexual desire too.

Medical science has since then done various tests to develop and create drugs that can activate the melanocortin receptors in the brain. These are the receptors that are responsible for increasing sexual desire. Today one of the most common drugs that are used to increase sexual desire that is used is Viagra for women. While initially developed for those suffering from erectile dysfunction, the drug has been studied and found to have a positive effect on women as well. The manner in which it works is that it excites the clitoris (one of the main organs that gives pleasure during sex) and relaxes the vaginal muscles. These relaxed muscles induce a feeling of desire and allow a woman to have sex freely and with zest.

While there are no clinical researches that have been done to prove the efficacy of aphrodisiac foods, there are many who can claim to have benefitted from increasing or introducing specific foods in their diets. Among them are fruits and vegetables like bananas, carrots and asparagus and also coriander, mustard, cayenne pepper, garlic and more.

Chocolate is also considered a strong female aphrodisiac since it contains phenylethylamine; a chemical that is understood to be released during sexual activity. Certain fragrances are also thought to excite and awake sexual desire. These include jasmine, vanilla and rose.

It is surprising that though there are so many complaints with regards to the libido levels of women, there is no clinically tested aphrodisiac for women that has been developed as yet. This is maybe due to the fact that sex lies in the mind of the woman.

So while you can excite a man by showing him nude pictures and also develop medication that allows him to overcome physical issues like erectile dysfunction, the aphrodisiac that is developed for women may need to work on the female brain.