The Science of Aphrodisiacs: Do They Actually Work?

Long before prescription pills like viagra, there were aphrodisiacs. We’ve heard all the legends. Cleopatra and her saffron-infused baths. The Romans and their gluttonous oyster feasts. For as long as humans have had a pulse, we’ve been searching for the “magic pill”, a singular substance that could ignite passion and turn a mundane evening into a cinematic sex scene.

In a wellness landscape saturated with “love potions” and questionable gas-station supplements, the skeptical mind naturally asks: is there any real science here, or is it all just a very expensive placebo effect?

At Alice, we’re less interested in folklore and more interested in the biochemistry of pleasure. When we look at aphrodisiacs through a clinical lens, we find that while “magic” might not be the right word, “mechanism” certainly is. Real aphrodisiacs don’t cast a magic spell; they support the biological systems: blood flow, neurotransmitters, and hormone signaling – that allow desire to flourish.¹ 

Let’s dive into the breakdown of how aphrodisiacs actually work, and why your nervous system might be the ultimate gateway to intimacy.

The Biology of “The Mood”

When we talk about being in “the mood”, we treat it as something that shows up unannounced and will be gone in a flash. But biologically, libido isn’t a single switch you flip; it’s a complex process. To understand why most traditional aphrodisiacs fail, research suggests three primary pillars that must be in perfect alignment for sexual pleasure and desire to even enter the room.²

1. The Neurochemical System: The Brain’s Desire Center

Desire doesn't start in the body, it starts in the hypothalamus. This is the command center of the brain, and its primary currency is dopamine. Often called the “reward chemical,” dopamine is actually the neurochemical responsible for creating the feeling of anticipation. It is what drives the “seeking” behavior, which is really just the body’s craving for connection. Aphrodisiacs that work through the brain are often linked to nourishing reward centers, which can make the idea of intimacy feel more compelling.³

The brain operates on what researchers call the Dual Control Model.⁴ Your libido has an accelerator and a brake. The accelerator is driven by dopamine and norepinephrine, pushing you toward sexual stimuli. The brakes are driven by serotonin and endocannabinoids, designed to keep you safe and “off” when you’re stressed or distracted.

Most pleasure systems fail because it tries to slam on the accelerator without first releasing the brake. If your brain is stuck in a state of high-alert, no amount of foreplay will register as “sexy.”

2. The Endocrine System: The Hormonal Baseline

Your hormones are the “volume knob” of your libido. Testosterone (in all genders) and estrogen dictate the baseline intensity of your drive.⁵ When hormones are suppressed by cortisol, the primary stress hormone, the volume is turned down so low you can barely hear the music.

Cortisol is a biological buzzkill. Evolutionarily, if you are being chased by a predator, the last thing your body needed to do was focus on reproduction. Today, your “predator” is a 7 AM urgent email you received while trying to enjoy the last moments of your morning before the workday or your never-ending to-do list. When cortisol levels stay chronically high, your endocrine system enters “survival mode,” siphoning all energy away from sex hormones to produce more stress hormones.⁶ This is why adaptogens are the new frontier of aphrodisiacs: they don’t add more fire, they simply support the body’s response to stress, which can influence overall hormonal balance. 

3. The Circulatory System: The Physical Response

Arousal is, at its most basic level, a cardiovascular event. For the body to respond to psychological desire, it requires efficient vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels). Without proper blood flow, the mental desire can’t translate into a physical sensation.

This is where functional mushrooms are a total game-changer. By supporting oxygen uptake and healthy circulation, they help ensure that when the brain says “yes,” the body is ready to respond.

Alice: Ingredients with Receipts

When we formulated Happy Ending, we didn’t just look at what sounded romantic; we looked at what was substantiated by peer-reviewed research. We curated nine functional ingredients that work in synergy to address all three pillars of sexual arousal.

Cordyceps: The Energetic Architect

Commonly referred to as the “Himalayan Gold”, cordyceps are famed for supporting ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. ATP is the cellular currency of energy.⁷ In the context of an aphrodisiac, it ensures the “engine” has enough fuel. When the body feels physically vitalized and oxygenated, the brain is more likely to greenlight the “energy-expensive” act of intimacy.

Horny Goat Weed: The Vasodilator

Despite the name, this botanical contains a naturally occurring compound called icariin. Research has explored icariin’s role in supporting healthy blood flow and circulation, which are important components of physical responsiveness and sensation.

Mucuna Pruriens: The Dopamine Precursor

A natural source of L-DOPA, a compound involved in dopamine production and reward signaling in the brain. By supporting the brain’s pleasure and reward systems, mucuna helps lower the psychological barrier to desire, making the reward of connection feel more attainable.

Ashwagandha: The Stress-Silencer

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that women who took ashwagandha reported improvements in arousal and overall satisfaction.⁸ It works by removing the “brakes” (stress) rather than just pushing the “gas”.

Maca: The Sexual Powerhouse

Maca is a cruciferous root that has been historically used for its role in boosting libido and balancing hormones. Unlike some stimulants, maca works steadily over time to support stamina and reproductive health, making it a key contributor to long-term sexual vitality for all genders.

Why “Happy Ending” is the Ultimate Ritual for Sexual Desire 

At Alice, we’ve always believed that the best rituals are the ones that taste and feel as good as they work. We realized that while popping 10 different capsules can somewhat do the trick, it isn’t exactly sexy nor does it get processed by the body most efficiently. We wanted to take the science of the “slow burn” and distill it into something you crave and actually look forward to.

We formulated Happy Ending with a “now and later” approach to pleasure. It’s a sophisticated dual-action system: it combines the immediate sensory boost of organic fair-trade dark chocolate–a natural source of theobromine and phenylethylamine (often called the “love drug”), warming vasodilators like cayenne and cinnamon to spark micro blood circulation. But the real magic lies in the long-term, compounding benefits of our functional mushroom blend. By utilizing a potent research-backed dose of cordyceps for cellular energy and maca for hormonal balance, we created a daily bite that supports your baseline of desire over time. It’s not just a candy; it’s a functional tool designed to support readiness when the moment arises.

But beyond biology is the ritual. The act of pausing your day to unwrap a square of dark chocolate signals to your brain that “the workday is over and pleasure is now the priority.” We cannot ignore the power of the mind. The brain is the body’s largest sex organ. In wellness, the “placebo effect” isn’t a fake result, it’s the mind-body connection in action. When you engage the senses–the bitterness of cacao and the slight thermogenic heat of cayenne, you are practicing a ritual that triggers the parasympathetic nervous system. You are effectively telling your internal “fight or flight” response to stand down.

So… Do Aphrodisiacs Work?

If you’re looking for a magic potion meant for cartoon princesses that will instantly transform you into a perfect version of yourself, the answer is no. That strictly belongs to fairy tales. But if you’re looking for a scientific toolkit to support your body’s natural capacity for stamina and sexual connection, the answer is a resounding yes.

By moving away from the snake oils of the past and embracing the functional fungi and adaptogens of the future, we aren’t just chasing a myth. We’re building a foundation for a more vibrant and pleasurable life. The science is real. The rest is chemistry, between you and your body.

Disclaimer: This blog contains promotional content about our products. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your wellness routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

References:

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2. Anita H. Clayton, Original Articles: Epidemiology and Neurobiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 4, Issue Supplement_4, November 2007, Pages 260–268, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00609.x
3. Wang, A. R., Groome, A., Taniguchi, L., Eshel, N., & Bentzley, B. S. (2020). The role of dopamine in reward-related behavior: shining new light on an old debate. Journal of neurophysiology, 124(2), 309–311. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00323.2020
4. Janssen, E., & Bancroft, J. (2007). The dual control model: The role of sexual inhibition and excitation in sexual arousal and behavior. In E. Janssen (Ed.), The psychophysiology of sex (pp. 197–222). Indiana University Press. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-12163-011
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6. McEwen B. S. (1998). Stress, adaptation, and disease. Allostasis and allostatic load. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 840, 33–44. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09546.x
7. Shashidhar, M. G., Giridhar, P., Udaya Sankar, K., & Manohar, B. (2013). Bioactive principles from Cordyceps sinensis: A potent food supplement - A review. Journal of functional foods, 5(3), 1013–1030. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2013.04.018
8. Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3573577/