thumb|An advertisement for pills from 1926 implies an aphrodisiac effect: "full of red-blooded vim and push".
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases libido, sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior. These substances range from a variety of plants, spices, and foods to synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs, such as cannabis or cocaine, are classified into plant-based and non-plant-based substances. Synthetic aphrodisiacs include MDMA and methamphetamine. Aphrodisiacs can be classified by their type of effects (psychological or physiological). the Greek goddess of love. Throughout human history, food, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable. However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the alleged results may have been mainly due to mere belief on the part of their users that they would be effective (a placebo effect). Likewise, many medicines are reported to affect libido in inconsistent or idiopathic ways: enhancing or diminishing overall sexual desire, depending on the circumstances. For example, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is known as an antidepressant that can counteract other co-prescribed antidepressants with libido-diminishing effects. However, because bupropion increases libido only when it is already impaired by related medications, it is not generally classed as an aphrodisiac.
Ancient civilizations like Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Roman, and Greek cultures believed that certain substances could provide the key to improving sexual desire, sexual pleasure, and/or sexual behavior. This was important because some men suffered from erectile dysfunction and could not reproduce.
Ambergris, yohimbine, horny goat weed, ginseng, alcohol, toads from the genus Bufo|, and certain foods are recorded throughout these texts as possessing aphrodisiac qualities. In 2020, Brian Earp and Julian Savulescu published a philosophy book titled Love Drugs: The Chemical Future of Relationships (UK title Love Is the Drug: The Chemical Future of Our Relationships). They argued that certain forms of medications can be ethically consumed as a "helpful complement" in relationships, both to fall in love and to fall out of it.
Types
Ambergris
thumb|upright=0.75|Ambergris
Ambergris is found in the gut of sperm whales. It is commonly used in Arab cultures as relief medication for headaches or as a performance enhancer. The derived chemical ambrein increases testosterone concentrations, triggering sexual desire and sexual behavior, but in animal studies only. Further research is needed to know the effects in humans.
Yohimbine
thumb|upright=0.75|Yohimbine chemical structure
Yohimbine is a substance found in the bark of yohim trees in West Africa. Chronic alcohol consumption is related to sexual dysfunction. The caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is used as an aphrodisiac in China. The story of Aphrodite, who was born from the sea, is another reason why individuals believe seafood is another source of aphrodisiacs.
Ginseng
thumb|upright=0.75|Ginseng
Ginseng is the root of any member of the genus Panax. There are three different ways of processing ginseng. Fresh ginseng is cut at four years of growth, white ginseng is cut at four to six years of growth, and red ginseng is cut, dried, and steamed at six years of growth. Red ginseng has been reported to be the most effective aphrodisiac of the three. however, in some individuals who use these drugs, libido is reduced.
Testosterone
Libido in males is linked to concentrations of sex hormones, particularly testosterone. When there is reduced sex drive in individuals with relatively low concentrations of testosterone, particularly in postmenopausal women or men over the age of 60, dietary supplements that are purported to increase serum testosterone concentrations have been used, with the intention of increasing libido, although with limited benefits.
Risks
Solid evidence is hard to obtain, as these substances come from many different environments cross-culturally and therefore give variable results, because of variations in growth and extraction.