Willy-nilly choices are a downer thetimes.co. Take a look at an interesting article we found.
Weird But True New York Post Take a look at an interesting article we found.
Considering the oyster with David Foster Wallace Los Angeles Times Take a look at an interesting article we found.
Superstitions started in the Dark Ages and still most of wouldn't walk under a ladder if we could avoid it. Is there a rational explanation?
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December 03, 2008
A story in the Chicago Tribune says that University of Rochester researchers, conducting psychological experiments, determine that women wearing red are a turn on for men.
Which got me thinking that aphrodisiacs might be an appropriate topic for the J. Peterman Sex workshop, now in session.
The word, Aphrodisiac, comes from the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite herself.
Questions arise. Is there any scientific truth that any of it works? Or is it all in the mind? Or does it really matter?
And what about this oyster business?
While China and Japan attribute miraculous powers to the Asian Oyster Crassostrea gigas, it seems that the only reason it’s in this category is due to its evocative appearance.
The Danes, cutting right to the chase, call it the Vulva fish. Killjoy that I am, I must report that experts claim the oyster's makeup of water, protein, carbohydrate, fat, cannot possibly contribute to making out.
Other foods in this category rumored to have sexual power are those that resemble sex organs, and you know who they are. Hot foods are supposed to get you "hot." Then there's the "if it’s exotic, it must be erotic school."
The Aztecs considered chocolate a powerful aphrodisiac and everyone got excited, in the early 1980s, when researchers detected the chemical phenyl ethylamine in it that can arouse emotions. But not enough, alas, that matters.
The Food and Drug Administration put the final kibosh on all of it by issuing a statement that no reliable evidence exists that any foods are aphrodisiacs. However, they do issue a qualifier by saying there are difficulties conducting ethical experiments, given the sensitive nature of the subject.
What are we left with?
Because of the length of Rhino lovemaking and a certain part of the male's anatomy, the Rhino horn is thought to have secret powers. However, it’s made up of Keratin and considered useless. The Horny goat weed (actual name) is an aphrodisiac first described in ancient classical Chinese medicinal texts. So, presumably, it’s been fooling people for years.
Cantharides, from the beetle Spanish Fly, has a disagreeable scent, bitter flavor, and has only been proven to make you sick. The Marquis de Sade made the mistake of slipping some of it into some women's sweets, and was convicted, in 1772, under a poisoning charge.
If you want to believe in aphrodisiacs, Dr. Winnifred Cutler has patented a "horny formula" she calls Athena Pheromone 10X and will be glad to sell it to you.
She may even believe in it herself. And I guess, if you believe hard enough in any "aphrodisiac" it might work.
In the end, the only truly effective aphrodisiac seems to be the one that’s been effective all along. “Your biggest sex organ is the one between your ears,” says Dr. Granzig, President and Professor and Dean of Clinical Sexology at Maimonides University.
Although it is possible I may have left something out. Some of you might be privy to the advanced course.
Share the Eye:
The secret to sexual attraction has to be in THIS little gem:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/16417/saturday-night-live-googly-eyes-gardener
That's right. Eye contact. Hugely important.
Only because I just happened to finish the first four chapters of Genesis, I must insist that it was not Adam what plucked that fatal fruit, but Eve.
I guess if we believe in an aphrodisiac, it might work - that whole placebo effect and whatnot. Though after that statement by the FDA, believing seems dubious.
I don't like chocolate, because it leaves a strange aftertaste in the mouth - milk chocolate makes you taste like after milk - all mucus-ey - and dark chocolate is bitter. Alcohol doesn't make you any more likely to get lucky (subtle reference to yesterday, ahem) - it just makes you more likely to regret it in the morning.
Personally, I find, strangely enough, that sweat does the trick - although I think that's more a question of pheromones.
Actually, the oyster is one of the few purported aphrodisiacs with actual scientific content to back up its reputation. Unlike the other well known aphrodisiacs, the oyster's prowess is not purely visual. It is loaded with zinc, a key ingredient in testosterone production and, hence, sexual performance in both genders.
Shibbolethian (love the new name, by the way),
Does alcohol make you more likely to regret it in the morning? Or does it make you LESS likely to remember it in the morning?
Or does it subvert the entire enterprise? Strengthening the will but weakening the flesh?
Hmm, early on- sufficient nutrition and liquids to sustain a pulse and a member of the opposite sex, preferably within ones own species are just about all that are necessary to get something asmoldering.
Later, much later and if you are very lucky and some of us are, you may be with someone whom you have for so long adored that you cannot remember when you didn't.
Why then, it is a simple barefoot drawn down the back of your leg; a bit of a nudge; a sigh and maybe a cleared throat if you are slow on the uptake.
The chords are all known to you both and so is the tune. About an hour should suffice.
The only help required from outside: peace; quiet and time.
What works for me? If the sun comes up.
Jonathan-You're more right than you know, perhaps. If I make eye contact with a man, touch my hair or earring, run my hand down my other forearm, let the slingback slip off my heel of the crossed leg, things happen. Good things...
Sudden craving for sausage. Gotta go.
I can't believe what the sidebar said, perhaps it was askance I read
That fugu nuts and the cat's meow might set the bull upon the cow?
If aphrodisiac they were, I'd have to ask you then, good sir
Why poison and a dead cat's dick would make one hot and not just sick?
Never have relied upon application of so called, "Aphrodesiacs" even tho' I know the chemical activity of some of the substances often mentioned, and how they can indeed stimulate Endorphins in the Body, which can cause a variety of reactions and particularly when the mind of the User/Victim/Dupe/Experimenter etc. is amenable to whatever the Next Step might be ...
But, I know what it is about a woman that piques my interest, and sets my blood racing at a hundred miles an hour ... (with absolutely no referrence to Al Pacino, as this existed for me decades before the Movie was made) The Scent of a Woman ....... Not Perfume, Soap, Deodorant, or any cosmetic or Hygiene application ... but the warm and dizzying smell of her skin, especially where her pheromones are apt to be prevalent ... that earthiness that mixes with the sweetness that isn't applied but seems enhanced and more welcomely produced if her attitude is pleasant, and genuine appreciation of her is not suspect or perceived as a threat, but felt, at gut-level ... to border at least, on worship ....... The scent that one can almost taste ... that fuels the desire to explore and enjoy even more ... that makes a man scared of absolutely, nothing ... And over the years I have noticed subtle but remarkable differences in the presents of olfactory aura between one woman and another ... and have been delighted, everso thankful that I am a man .......
more on the honor roll"Some of you might be privy to the advanced course."
Does that mean that if we answer correctly we get to ATTEND the advanced course?
Serious question: do men need an aphrodisiac? EVER? Have not met one yet who needed anything other than a restraining order. And that's not a criticism, btw.
My votes for what works best for women, at least this one, in order of importance:
-Languange/words, which is ironic, given the (quasi) fact that men seem to lose verbal ability as their sex drive increases. I seriously think this phenomenon is responsible for my very 'good girl' reputation well into college. Until I took a lit class, that is.
-Regular excercise. For me, running (my husband hands me my running shoes now that he's noticed the side effect) (does it increase testosterone? blood flow?)
-And, though I'm a huge advocate of staying at home with the kids, working out of the home seems to make a huge difference amongst the women I know.
Maybe the regular engagement or competition, even if it's in subtle doses? At any rate, now I 'get' the process I used to watch my husband go through. The arrival home, the need for a period of quiet for unwinding, and then the 'can't keep my hands to myself' phase.
If only dinner didn't always get in the way. Of course, it doesn't have to.
Who needs chocolate and oysters? Grilled cheese and tomato soup—bring it.
Off for my run. . .then to the office.
I'm with the majority: food is one thing; sexuality is another. (Frankly I never have fathomed the 'out to dinner, then off to bed' concept of dating....I suspect it has more to do with exchange of services than with romance.)
I find that I'm wired in large part by my experiences. When I wonder, 'why?' I almost always realize (sooner or later) that she has the ears of ...., or the smile of ...., or the (better stop here). And it's strange to be walking through a mall or sitting on a park bench and have the insane impulse to walk up to a total stranger and tell her: 'You are incredibly sexy, and you remind me of ... who used to ....' (The fact that I'm here and not locked up clearly proves I DON'T succumb to these impulses -- right called insane!) Nonetheless it's reassuring to know that my experiences (sometimes lost to the conscious mind) are still at play 'under the surface' popping up in the most unexpected places and times.
One issue that occassionally comes up is that of having a crush on someone from years ago -- and running into them. Fortunately, as the years go on, the obvious male 'display' is hidden (pants help too!). It's frustrating when the imagination shifts into overdrive and all of that 'what could have been' thinking starts. Poignancy!
Yep, the mind is the fundamental aphrodisiac. And society and its rules are the ultimate 'downer' -- bringing rationality and common sense into play. It has always been a delicate balance: insuring we as a species reproduce and building tall walls around that instinct. Weird!
Unlike most folks, I've never found that alcohol (negatively) affects my 'performance'. (Then again, I seldom drink and as a younger guy was what's diapprovingly known now as a 'binge drinker'). I suspect that the AGE at which one began one's sex life has a lot to do with how deep the groove is cut, and that for those of us who started very, very young, the dampening effects of alcohol simply aren't strong enough to block those neural paths.... The fact that alcohol decreases one's ability and desire to 'self-control' allows both parties to be more spontaneous and (I suspect) more relaxed. Result: the play response (instead of the responsible 'work ethic'). The biggest anti-aphrodisiac is certainly obligation!!!!!
I vividly remember an early (and delightfully evil) girlfriend introducing me to the 'Singapore Sling'. I'd never heard of it, and it tasted so good I suggested getting another, to which she gleefully agreed. After I chugged the second one, and tried to stand up, Sharon giggled. She knew exactly what she was doing... I often wonder where she is and what happened to her life. And still, when I hear the strains of her 'favorite song' I get wistful. Oh -- her favorite actor and crush -- was Paul Newman. She had excellent taste in men, too!
Hug me round the neck, girl, let me see your face
Hug me on the neck now, kiss me on my face
Some folks need a reason
Darlin, I just need a place.
The day is peeking its pink face out here. I hope many Eyesters have a good reason not to get out of bed just yet. These words will be here when you finish more important things.
Doc, you are absolutely right, the whole end of society is to "protect" us and others from following through on unconsidered urges. I am reminded of the young couple who belonged to a church that encouraged piety by discouraging sexual intimacy. The practice was for a newlywed couple to abstain for a year EVEN AFTER MARRIAGE. The husband explained to his preacher "Well, pastor, we just couldn't follow the rule. We tried for weeks and weeks and were doing pretty well, but one night, she leaned over to pick up a jar of mayonnaise and I just couldn't help myself. I had to make love to my wife. Then and there."
The preacher shook his head sadly "Well, son. I'm afraid we can't let you come back to our church for a while. Rules are rules."
"I Understand, preacher. They won't let us come back to the Piggly Wiggly, either."
Willie Trask:
You SO made me giggle right out loud at work!! Love the humor this time of the morning. But seriously folks...miss ive is right. Physical exercise produces a chemical that seems to trigger a warm sexy feeling within me. After a workout, warm bubble bath, and an evening of cuddling by the fireplace watching old movies...my husband says I am a tiger. Grrrrr! I love love love chocolate, and I can be pretty passionate while consuming a Hershey bar. But I don't think it enhances my desire for intimacy. Alcohol just puts me to sleep. Am so going to the gym tonight.
See ya guys and dolls.
I don't think it is the oysters, I think it's the sound they make when you eat them, all that slurping and sucking. Anyway: smell - pheromones. All I have to do is mention around my husband I am putting on his favorite perfume and WHAM BAM...of course the wind blowing has a lot to do with it too.
I'll probably be completely alone in this...
But nothing was more arousing to me than when my sweetie and I decided to stop having sex for fun, and started having sex for children.
There's so many t-shirts now that I should be wearing: DO IT FOR THE KIDS!
And it turns the usual male psychology of sex on its head (sorry), when sex is for procreation. The guy (me, of course) can stop thinking of his swimmers as The Enemy, and instead look forward to liberating the little haploids. GO AND BE FREE!!! SEEK YOUR DESTINY!!!
Not that one should yell these things at the Moment of Truth, no. Epic-sounding vocalizations tend to be a little out of place.
When Wee Heathen III was conceived, it was one of those comic moments that will never happen again (because we're done after three, or so we say). My sweetie, because she is the Goddess and is in command of and in touch with all Things Eternal & Good, came downstairs and announced that she JUST KNEW there was an egg in place. Waiting. She snapped her thumb toward the bedroom and said "You. Now."
She was absolutely right, of course. Later, when our midwife asked for us to guess the day of conception, we gave her the date and precise time. I suppose to be fair, it could have been one of a few precise times.
Gotta be careful, though. It's fun memories like The Conception of Syd that make the likelihood of Syd's little brother or sister happening all the greater.
M. Isles,
On the one hand, I can't think of anything more likely to encourage sex than the smile of a tiny baby, but on the proverbial other, we have the behavior of a two year old. If people gave birth to two year olds, there would probably be much better birth control.
I'll see your two year old and raise you a four year old. Our four year old daughter is killing us these days. Everything is a Greek tragedy. Every disappointment leads to wailing. How can somebody so short have THAT much lung volume?!?
Whaddaya expect from a guy named...
As the old saying goes, success is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration...
this is one instance where I can lump sex pills and god together, I don't need the FDA to confirm with scientific data that either one are indeed genuine, I've done enough independent study astral travel to confirm both. By the way, biggest shame in all this is the "dragon's teeth" of tibet, the yeti teeth from gigantopithecus, damn shame.
Oh, and eye contact, that's what really gets everything going.
If you thing a 2 year old or a 4 year old are enough for birth controll I got a 15 year old girl. 'Boys!' 'Boys!' 'Boys!' the word for the day, today and every day with her -making my husband and myself nuts!
Dark chocolate's taste may make one reel,
A fine wine can enhance most any meal,
But, if a soul-mate you chance to find,
Love is forever on and in your mind.
...nothing artificial needed, but I do appreciate a stubble-free face...
The Very Thought of You ~ by Ray Noble, sung by Billie Holiday
"The very thought of you and I forget to do
The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do
I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as a queen
And foolish though it may seem
To me that's everything
The mere idea of you, the longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you
I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
Its just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love"
I've been told by the missus that husbands who do dishes and laundry are a most sexy bird indeed... and don't even get her started on ones that make dinner and take care of the kids... what transpires after is of legends...
excuse me, I have some whites to fold and a PB&J to make...
I tell my special lady that I can't be wasted my precious energy on dishes, dinner, takin' out the trash or changin tires, that's for her to do, I gotta keep my strength up. Put another log on the fire, like Shel Silverstein says.
Shibbolethian,
You're right. Sweat is a good one. Good stuff. Or fixing something with lots of buttons and gadgets and stuff.
Question though, is sweat one for guys? My husband always grabs me when I get back from a run, but then he scrunches up his face and says, "you taste like a salt lick."
I agree with EVERYTHING miss IVE said. poison IVE.
Horny goat weed? That is so NOT going in my field greens salad, I don't care if it is orgasmic.
"Does alcohol make you more likely to regret it in the morning? Or does it make you LESS likely to remember it in the morning?"
DPR ~ Can I answer with both A & B?
Honestly I can't believe in the Oysters. had them at Felix's in N.O, didn't do a thing for me, chocolate is its own food group & the old Brute cologne smell brings back memories that still makes me wonder if its more option A or more option B that haunts me....... Now the scent of Lauren's Polo & you can call me yours.....it's seems to be very unfortunate for the men who wear it & are around me .......
My theory on women and food and sex: Women generally want one or the other. And generally, if both are present, they'll choose the former.
Gentlemen, keep them hungry. Bring a pizza or chocolate home, then that's where she'll get her 'fill.'
Nick,
Poison Ivy: definitely not an aphrodisiac. A roll in the leaves, yes. A roll in the wrong kind of leaves, definetly not. Bad memories. Very bad.
Honestly, if you're in sync with your significant other, life provides all the impetus you need.
For me, the fact that my lady WANTS me is one of the greatest aphrodisiacs available.
That, and all she has to do is show up and I'm good. I'm a male.What can I say.
Cynthia I had to stay with my brother's 4 kids overnight and get the older two up and ready for school. The 1year old cried hysterically until midnight, then woke up at 5am and cried hysterically until 6am, then the 6year old woke up crying cause she wet the bed. The older kids were late for school the younger kids were dropped off at my mother's house in clothes and shoes, that's it...I'm not even sure if they were clean but they were clothes. I've never been so glad to go to work in my life.
It was excellent birth control. Brother and his wife won't be back until Saturday, send over your 15 year old to babysit and she won't let a boy touch her for years, or until after some intensive therapy. Hell I'm not letting my husband touch me for a good long time after I get rid of those kids tomorrow morning.
Everyone says its different when they are your own but I'm not taking that risk, I firmly believe its a lie that parents tell childless folk to make themselves feel better...misery loves company.
Turn offs: Children (sticky, crying, stinky, stubborn, obnoxious, snotty, dirty kids), a dirty/messy home or environment, a full stomach, the dog, me having just cleaned anything, having company in my house, strong smells, the phone ringing, the tv on, being tired, heavy cologne, strong food smells.
Turn ons: Exercising (yoga especially for some reason), clean environment, quiet, candle/fire light (everyone looks good), soft clean scents, the promise of a good dinner AFTER, SB smelling like fresh soap and clean laundry, a lazy warm afternoon with all the chores done and nothing to do, steamy shower, nice sheets (anything over 300 th/ct in supima cotton), naked naps.
Eating makes me feel full and uncomfortable, so food simply doesn't do it for me.
Oh my, so many fantastic comments!
Jonathan,
Sounds like you have my four-year-old! But, rest assured, you are not alone. Conceiving my little one was better than anything from before or after. But I should also mention that, sex during pregnancy is glorious and, once again, no enemy involved. It's not like pregnancy is likely to be an unwanted risk on such occasions. And, contrary to what fashion industry models seem to believe about men, I love all that roundness!
Doc Nolan,
Your comments on alcohol remind me of a great quote from Tom Jones: "It is often said that too much drink will dull a man's desires. Indeed it will... in a dull man." As for your notion that food is one thing and sexuality is another, I once again refer you to Tom Jones. Go check the movie out and then get back to me.
Missive,
"Is sweat one for guys?" Yes, yes, yes, yes! Oh, pardon me; I got carried away. Now, please stop torturing me with all this stuff about your coming home from running.
I would go beyond Missive's note on words and language and say that talent is one of the sexiest things in the world. In my young single days as an actor, any show I was in usually led to my developing a crush on whoever was the best actress in the cast. Brilliant writers, musicians, etc. all definitely have their talent and artistry in their favor. It begs the question, in what other field are they talented artists?
Olivia,
I see you have fallen off your vegetarian wagon. How was the sausage?
Wheatgrass, your missus is a wise woman indeed. Nick...if you don't waste your precious energy helping out, guess what? She'll do all that work herself and waster HER precious energy...and you still won't get any.
I work 50 hours a week and on weekends I clean the building I work in. When I come home and SB has cleaned the house and made dinner it really makes me happy, which in turn makes HIM happy. If I had to come home and clean we'd have a completely sexless marriage. "If mamma ain't happy, ain't no one happy."
Nachista,
Famous saying in my casa: "Happy Wife, Happy Life"
But sometimes you still have to do things that perturb them to keep things honest... like wear that certain J. Peterman Irish sweater with the big folded collar that they don't like, but you think you look dashing in...
Agen666 answered my question regarding whether or not NEED aphrodisiacs. Not that they don't exist for you or make things even better, just the NEED question.
DPR,
To extend our language, talent thread, I would summarize it all to one thing: passion. In anything. Intensity is a big trigger for me. Except the date in eleventh grade who ordered five hotdogs at the A&W. That's just gross.
insert 'men' between 'not' and 'NEED' above.
("That's what she said." Sorry, couldn't resist that one.)
Seven senses fueled by two flaming hearts.
By the way...the sun is up.
I just clicked on the "future" link located at the upper right hand corner of this page and nothing changed. Should I be worried?