Aphrodisiac is something that stimulates sexual desire.
An aphrodisiac is something that manages to enliven or incite sexual desire . This adjective in our language comes from the Latin aphrodisiăcus , in turn derived from a Greek term.
The notion, which can also be used without accent in the second I ( aphrodisiac ) according to what is accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), is usually used as a noun with reference to substances that promote sexual stimulation.
For example: “We are going to celebrate the anniversary in an aphrodisiac restaurant” , “My brother-in-law recommended an aphrodisiac that, according to what he told me, is infallible” , “At the moment I don't need any aphrodisiac, but who knows…” .
Aphrodisiac concept
Aphrodisiacs can be drugs , foods , behaviors or even objects that achieve arousal by analogy or for cultural reasons. It is important to mention that many aphrodisiacs work due to the so-called placebo effect since, according to science , there is no evidence of their ability to stimulate sexual appetite.
In the case of aphrodisiac drugs, their function is to increase the levels of testosterone , dopamine and other hormones. Certain foods , due to their components, also achieve a similar effect.
By a symbolic extension, there are foods and products that are often considered aphrodisiacs due to their phallic characteristics or because they resemble parts of the body linked to sexuality . That is the case of bananas and oysters .
It can be said that, beyond the characteristics of the aphrodisiac in question and the organic consequences they produce directly, the power of these elements lies in the effects they generate in people.
Oysters are considered to be aphrodisiacs.
Natural substances
Although, as we have mentioned, there are different chemical substances that can be used as an aphrodisiac, it should not be overlooked that many other natural ones are also considered as such. Specifically, it is established that among the foods that most successfully increase libido and sexual desire are the following:
- Chocolate , since it is considered to increase sexual desire due to the release of endorphins that its intake brings. Not to mention that it also releases phenylethylamine, a hormone that is produced when you are in love.
- It is believed that coffee can also function as an aphrodisiac in that it activates, clears and allows both men and women to become more “active” in privacy .
- Saffron is considered to have been used as an aphrodisiac since ancient times. So much so that, for example, the Greeks believed that this product was capable of “untying” any woman.
- Fruits such as strawberries , apple or avocado are also believed to be powerful foods to increase the sexual desire of anyone.
In addition to everything stated above, we cannot ignore that there are other substances that some people use as an aphrodisiac. We are referring, for example, to marijuana , to a plant that responds to the name of maca and even to an alkaloid of African origin that is called yohimbine .