# What Aphrodisiacs Work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128 "2010-08-23T02:17:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/41 "2010-08-24T01:06:00Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > Deep down, according to evolution, guys are looking for good breeding stock and gals are looking for the best alpha male provider. > > Hence guys are looking for young and nubile, gals are looking for a guy with a wallet and power. a) Unproven speculative theory to begin with, one that largely recapitulates beliefs that were older than the theory of evolution; and b) There haven’t been wallets or currency to put in them long enough for evolution to make their existence sexy to women. If there were no natural instinctive forces leading women to find one guy sexier than another, the structural imperatives of our societies as they have been set up in tradition and law — making females economically dependent on males — is sufficient entirely unto itself to create a female “sexual preference” for male providers, i.e., they had to trade sexual access in for such support if they didn’t want to suffer lots of deprivation. As patriarchy has continued to crumble and fall by the wayside there’s less and less evidence that women are hardwired to want male providers. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/42 "2010-08-24T01:10:13Z")
Spanish Fly ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/43 "2010-08-24T01:18:08Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > > [@md2000](#): > > > > Deep down, according to evolution, guys are looking for good breeding stock and gals are looking for the best alpha male provider. > > > > Hence guys are looking for young and nubile, gals are looking for a guy with a wallet and power. > > a) Unproven speculative theory to begin with, one that largely recapitulates beliefs that were older than the theory of evolution; and > > b) There haven’t been wallets or currency to put in them long enough for evolution to make their existence sexy to women. > If there were no natural instinctive forces leading women to find one guy sexier than another, the structural imperatives of our societies as they have been set up in tradition and law — making females economically dependent on males — is sufficient entirely unto itself to create a female “sexual preference” for male providers, i.e., they had to trade sexual access in for such support if they didn’t want to suffer lots of deprivation. > > As patriarchy has continued to crumble and fall by the wayside there’s less and less evidence that women are hardwired to want male providers. It may be protectors, and especially protectors of the children, more than providers. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/44 "2010-08-24T01:27:16Z")
Tell her that she is pretty. Especially if she is not. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/45 "2010-08-24T02:33:59Z")
XTC, cocaine, alcohol, money, good looks, arrogance. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/46 "2010-08-24T03:09:07Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > XTC, Oddly, I’ve found that some women are aroused by XKCD. Stick figures and esoteric humor drive them wild! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/47 "2010-08-24T03:48:18Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > > [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > > > XTC, > > Oddly, I’ve found that some women are aroused by XKCD. Stick figures and esoteric humor drive them wild! Whew–THAT I can do. That “long walks on the beach” stuff? Borrrrring… ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/48 "2010-08-25T19:42:51Z")
Listening before speaking. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/49 "2010-08-25T19:59:44Z")
Sec. of State Henry Kissinger, not among his era’s most handsome men, was asked how he always got the hot babes. He replied that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Ogden Nash said, “Candy is dandy, But liquor is quicker.” “How do you make a Margarita?” asks the old joke. “Get her drunk.” In my experience, roses are remarkably effective. Strangely, the woman will ask, “How did you know?” before showing you how well roses work. Keep in mind, mid-February is the most expensive time to buy roses. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/50 "2010-08-26T03:36:10Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > > [@BigT](#): > > > > Whatever happened to that one drug that caused arousal in females? It was an inhalant designed to help with female anorgasmia. I seem to remember it having a side effect of woman becoming attracted to the researchers. > > [It looks like the only drugs used in experiments to treat it are Viagra and Wellbutrin.](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295376-overview) I can’t quite imagine either of those well-known drugs having such an effect without more people knowing. Actually, I was referriing to the same drug mentioned earlier: PT-141. According to the Wikipedia link, the use for sexual dysfunction has been abandoned. For a while, it was all over the news. I think there was even a thread here discussing the ethics of using it. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/51 "2010-08-26T04:05:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Actually, I was referriing to the same drug mentioned earlier: PT-141. According to the Wikipedia link, the use for sexual dysfunction has been abandoned. > > For a while, it was all over the news. I think there was even a thread here discussing the ethics of using it. Maybe not, seems like the inhaled version had some blood pressure spikes in a subset of test subjects, but a subcutanous injection may be ok, they’re trying to get the FDA to let them resume trials. I don’t remember the thread you speak of, why did people think it was unethical? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/52 "2010-08-26T04:05:53Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > [It looks like the only drugs used in experiments to treat it are Viagra and Wellbutrin.](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295376-overview) I can’t quite imagine either of those well-known drugs having such an effect without more people knowing. My wife takes three Viagra every day for the last two years (for pulmonary hypertension), and reports no aphrodisiac effects. Coincidentally, she also takes Wellbutrin. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Corleone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@Michael\_Corleone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Corleone)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/53 "2010-08-26T13:43:35Z")
Makers Mark & Coke (more than 3, but less than 5) and good dark chocolate. Never fails … ---
**Author:** ![cantara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/54 "2010-08-26T14:20:41Z")
[Ondansetron](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ondansetron), which is an anti-nausea drug. It is not indicated as off-label use, but I have discovered that when my wife has taken it I know we will be busy in a couple of hours. Maybe it’s just because she’s feeling better. ---
**Author:** ![Ladymarmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@Ladymarmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ladymarmalade)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/55 "2010-08-27T22:09:43Z")
> [@Ladymarmalade](#): > > So, aphrodisiacs - for women- what works? What doesn’t work? How do you know? 🆒 Thanks. Has anybody (women especially) tried maca, damiana, yohimbe or other herbal aphrodisiacs? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/56 "2010-08-27T23:13:25Z")
In the SD archives, Cecil isn’t convinced by any claims of the existence of aphrodisiacs. [Is chocolate an aphrodisiac?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/484/is-chocolate-an-aphrodisiac) (August 23, 1985) [Will pheromones make you irresistible to the opposite sex?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/468/will-pheromones-make-you-irresistible-to-the-opposite-sex) [Why does male sex drive decrease with age? Is there any remedy?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/469/why-does-male-sex-drive-decrease-with-age) (July 6, 1987) ---
**Author:** ![Kelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/57 "2010-08-28T00:03:59Z")
As Ann Landers once said, the most important sex organ is the brain. And I’m pretty sure she meant the psychological part, not the neurochemical part. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/58 "2010-08-28T00:09:48Z")
> [@Kelby](#): > > As Ann Landers once said, the most important sex organ is the brain. And I’m pretty sure she meant the psychological part, not the neurochemical part. Again, same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/59 "2010-08-28T00:20:11Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > > [@Kelby](#): > > > > As Ann Landers once said, the most important sex organ is the brain. And I’m pretty sure she meant the psychological part, not the neurochemical part. > > Again, same thing. Eh? I was thinking the reverse, no? I do agree with the second part of your post. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Psychology is a result of physiology. But yes, what works in men won’t necessarily work in women. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128/60 "2010-08-28T00:29:36Z")
> [@Kelby](#): > > > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > > > Again, same thing. > > Eh? I was thinking the reverse, no? I do agree with the second part of your post. > > > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > > > Psychology is a result of physiology. But yes, what works in men won’t necessarily work in women. Our thoughts and behaviors are mostly if not all a result of electrochemical neuronal activity. Some people have problems with certain aspects of reducing a complex thought to neurons (a cell that responds to the sight of one’s grandmother etc.), but otherwise it’s pretty certain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-aphrodisiacs-work/551128.md?page=4)