Continuing the Valentine’s Day spirit, who doesn’t want a great sex life? It’s the one thing that everyone wants; a wish that transcends age, country, ethnicity, and culture.
The quest for aphrodisiacs that can improve bedroom romp is hundreds of years old. New-age drugs are effective, but can come with some serious side effects.
Mushrooms – particularly, an Asian fungi called Cordyceps – have shown the potential to stimulate interest in sex and improve sexual function.
If you want to rekindle a dwindling sex life or just spice up action in the bedroom, then consider taking aphrodisiac mushrooms! Want to know more? Continue reading.
Factors That Affect Your Sex Life
Ups and downs in sex life are common. Interest in sex and response to sexual stimuli also varies from time to time. But, if the problem continues for a long time, the issue might impact the relationship with your partner.
Loss of libido, in both men and women, can affect confidence, mood, social relationships, work performance, and even physical well-being.
Several factors determine sexual health and function in both sexes. Here are the most common physical and psychological factors that can affect sex life.
Aging: A gradual decrease in libido is a normal part of aging, but the degree of decline varies from person to person.
A decrease in sex hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen are the biggest cause of low sex drive. There are other factors too. The natural wear and tear – called oxidative stress and chronic inflammation – can give rise to conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
If not prevented or left uncontrolled, these conditions can cause fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, stress, and a low response to sexual stimuli by the partner.
Hormonal Changes: Menopause and andropause (in men) are stages in life where there is a significant drop in hormonal levels. This decline usually results in low sex drive, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep problems, loss of muscle in men, obesity, and a general lack of interest in initiating and partaking in sexual activity.
Stress: This can be defined as any situation or change in circumstances that causes emotional, physical, or psychological strain.
Stress can trigger changes in normal body functions which may result in low sex drive and poor sexual health.
In one study, researchers observed a threefold increase in sexual dysfunction in veterans suffering from stress disorders.1
Another study found a direct link between stress and sexual problems in both sexes.2 Stress affects sexual desire and function by causing hormonal imbalances and narrowing the arteries.
Chronic Sleep Deprivation: We all know the impact of a bad night’s sleep on our mood, behavior, and work performance.
Chronic sleep deprivation can affect sexual health by lowering testosterone levels, reducing blood circulation to the genitals, decreasing energy levels, and stamina, etc. According to one study, sleep deprivation for 7 days can reduce testosterone levels by 10-15%.3
You don’t need to look for some underlying medical condition to blame for poor sex life. The often-ignored causes such as the ones given above (aging, hormonal changes, stress, and sleep problems) are the most common factors.
Mushrooms, more particularly, Cordyceps can improve your sex life! Don’t take our word for it; you can check it out for yourself. Just read on to learn more about this wonderful libido boost booster!
Cordyceps – the Himalayan Viagra
In 2012, a CNN report on Cordyceps described the mushroom as the Himalayan Viagra. Although the name is catchy and best describes the shroom, it’s more than a male enhancement product.
Along with increased libido, Cordyceps is believed to increase semen volume and improve fertility and sexual health in both men and women.
Physically, taking mushrooms improves stamina, vitality, and libido but performance in bed is both physical and psychological.
Famous dating coach, Glen Sycamore credits Cordyceps for his success in the sack. He claims taking the mushroom provides tremendous psychological benefits, too, in the form of razor-sharp focus, unlimited motivation, and Zen-like patience. In short, Cordyceps can make you a better person psychologically and an animal in bed!
Cordyceps has been aiding sex life since the 14th century, at least. Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine were using cordyceps as an aphrodisiac. It’s believed that Cordyceps supports the life force Jing. Sex tonics made with Cordyceps were prescribed to invigorate vital organs and boost overall energy and function.
In China, people believed that an abundance of life force is vital for a strong, healthy, long, and productive life. Traditional medicine experts preferred Cordyceps to other herbs because they contain no psychoactive properties. Plus, sexual tonics made with Cordyceps were not habit-forming.
Cordyceps – the Origin
The discovery of cordyceps changed the lives of the natives in the high altitudes of the Himalayan region. It was sheer luck that yak herders of the Mykot tribe saw the reaction of their animals after consuming a strange caterpillar-like mushroom.
A sudden alteration in the feeding pattern and drastic behavior change made the tribesmen take notice. They observed the animals flocked to specific areas and preferred to eat strange-looking things which appeared neither plant nor animal. Within a few days, instances of copulating behavior increased and in the long run, the yaks became more active and healthier.
On closer examination, the thing turned out to be a mushroom growing out of a mummified caterpillar. Seeing the reaction of the animals, the members of the Mykot tribe decided to consume the mushroom. Needless to say, they too experienced the same benefits such as improvement in libido, energy, and vitality.
Cordyceps Benefits in Bed
Cordyceps and sex go hand in hand. No wonder its nickname is “Cordy-sex!” This mushroom is traditionally known to improve sex life in both men and women. Studies are now proving those claims to be true. Here are three ways cordyceps can better your sex life!
Improves Sex Drive
Low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, and other causes of poor sex life is still a taboo topic in many cultures around the world.
Still, the data available on this subject shows the magnitude of the problem. Nearly 30% of premenopausal women and over 50% of women who reached menopause complain of low sex drive.4 According to one survey, one in five men reported a loss of libido at some point in their life.5
Cordyceps has attracted great interest for its ability to boost libido. In one study involving 189 participants of both sexes, Cordyceps supplementation improved sex drive by 66%. In a similar study, 86% of the women participants reported of increase in libido! How amazing is that? Our Mushie ENERGY gummies are super potent with 2,000mg of organic Cordyceps per serving!
Researchers attribute the improvement in libido to the impact of active compounds in Cordyceps. Some of its components mimic the luteinizing hormone which is vital for producing testosterone and there is plenty of medical evidence to show that testosterone is vital for libido in both men and women.6
Prevents Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be defined as the inability of a person to achieve an erection, which is vital to carry out the normal sexual function.
Studies show that the risks of ED increase with age. That said doctors claim that nearly 30% of young people experience ED at some point. Lifestyle diseases like stress, hypertension, and diabetes increase the risks of erectile dysfunction.
PDE5 inhibitors such as Cialis, Viagra, Stendra, and Levitra are common drugs prescribed to treat ED. But, these drugs come with unpleasant side effects.
Research on the medical properties of Cordyceps has seen encouraging results. Studies show that Cordyceps supplementation significantly increases nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in penile tissue in diabetic mice.7 Higher NOS results in a stronger and longer erection. In addition, supplementation in diabetic mice increased serum testosterone, sperm count, and mating behavior.
Increases Energy and Reduces Muscle Fatigue
More energy and stamina mean a longer time in bed and more sexual pleasure for you and your partner. Even if you’re doing okay in bed, more stamina isn’t a bad thing.
Better physical energy and mental energy (desire) will only make sex play more fulfilling and enjoyable.
The sexual spark first dims, and then slowly disappears, from a relationship if one or both partners feel tired and lack endurance due to work, stress, age, etc.
Cordyceps increases the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). In addition, the mushroom improves oxygen utilization in the body, especially during exercise.
In one study, Cordyceps supplementation increased VO2 max by 7%. In another study, consuming the mushroom for three weeks improved oxygen utilization by 11%. In these studies, researchers observed improvement in other exercise parameters.8,9,10
How Does Cordyceps Work?
Balances Hormones
Hormonal imbalance can affect a wide range of physiological processes. In both men and women, insufficiency or excess of certain hormones can cause fatigue, weight gain, poor stamina, and loss of sex drive.
Hormonal imbalance is common as we age. Even in women, testosterone dictates certain sexual processes such as sex drive and response, lubrication, arousal, and orgasm. In women, hormonal imbalance – low testosterone and higher levels of estrogen – will result in poor sexual function. In men, the role of testosterone in stimulating libido is well known.
Researchers observed a complex mechanism through which Cordycepin and other active compounds in the mushroom increase testosterone levels in mice. In one animal study, Cordyceps supplementation for six weeks resulted in a significant increase in circulating testosterone.11
Widens Blood Vessels
Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in numerous functions in the body. Its most significant role is to widen the blood vessels and smoothen the walls so there is a greater flow of nutrients and oxygen-carrying blood to the muscles.
During workouts and athletic activities, muscles require higher levels of oxygen. Our sex organs are also muscles that demand nutrients and oxygen for their normal functioning. Cordyceps ensures healthy blood and oxygen supply to the genital organs by increasing nitric oxide present in our reproductive tissues.
Enhances ATP Production and Stabilizes Blood Glucose Level
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are little batteries that store and transfer energy in cells. When the energy demand is higher than the ATP supply then the result is fatigue. Poor ATP production is also responsible for unwillingness to initiate or respond to sexual activity. In one study, researchers demonstrated that Cordyceps supplementation increases ATP levels by 18.4%.12,13
Experts also believe that this mushroom helps manage glucose levels in the blood. By stabilizing glucose levels, Cordyceps promotes better storage of glucose, higher energy production, and greater access to energy by muscles and genital organs.
Alleviates Stress and Improves Stress Response
Stress, anxiety, and depression trigger cortisol production which decreases interest in sex.
The adaptogenic properties of Cordyceps fortifies the body and mind against stressors. Plus, this powerful mushroom improves your response to stress!
Cordyceps is an adaptogen that can help you adapt to stress. It does this by regulating the nervous system and managing the functioning of the adrenal gland.
A body under stress activates the adrenal gland which releases hormones such as cortisol – the primary stress hormone. Cordyceps regulates the adrenal gland thereby controlling the release of stress hormones.
Other Health Benefits of Cordyceps
- Improves exercise performance in both young and old.
- Reduces lactic acid buildup and aids post-workout muscle recovery.
- Slows down aging by fighting free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Potent antioxidants inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
- Treats diabetes by improving insulin response and stabilizing blood glucose levels.
- Boosts production of adenosine which has a heart-protective effect.
- Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Improves immunity by fighting inflammation.
Final Thoughts
A healthy appetite for sex and normal sexual function is essential for a happy life and overall well-being.
We all know that waning sex drive and other sexual problems are common. Fortunately, you have mushrooms such as Cordyceps that can rekindle your interest in sex and improve your sex life. Order your ENERGY gummies today and reap all of these benefits!
References
- Breyer, Benjamin N., et al. “Sexual Dysfunction in Male Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans: Association with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Other Combat-Related Mental Health Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study.”The Journal of Sexual Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, 2014, pp. 75–83., https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12201.
- Kingston Rajiah. “Psychological Impotence: Psychological Erectile Dysfunction and Erectile Dysfunction Causes, Diagnostic Methods and Management Options.”Scientific Research and Essays, vol. 7, no. 4, 2012, https://doi.org/10.5897/sre11.1065.
- Leproult, Rachel, and Eve Van Cauter. “Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men.”JAMA 305,21 (2011): 2173-4. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.710
- West, Suzanne L et al. “Prevalence of low sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a nationally representative sample of US women.”Archives of internal medicine 168,13 (2008): 1441-9. doi:10.1001/archinte.168.13.1441
- “Loss of Libido.”NHS Inform, https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/loss-of-libido.
- Jiraungkoorskul, Kanitta, and Wannee Jiraungkoorskul. “Review of Naturopathy of Medical Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, in Sexual Dysfunction.”Pharmacognosy reviews 10,19 (2016): 1-5. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.176566
- Pohsa, Sureena, et al. “Effects of Cultured CORDYCEP Militaris on Sexual Performance and Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats.”BioMed Research International, vol. 2020, 2020, pp. 1–10., https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4198397.
- Xu, Yan-Feng. “Effect of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) on Physical Fatigue Induced by Forced Swimming.”International journal of medicinal mushrooms 18,12 (2016): 1083-1092. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v18.i12.30
- Chen, Steve et al. “Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.”Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 16,5 (2010): 585-90. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0226
- Hirsch, Katie R et al. “Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation.”Journal of dietary supplements 14,1 (2017): 42-53. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386
- Chang, Ying et al. “Effect of Cordyceps militaris supplementation on sperm production, sperm motility and hormones in Sprague-Dawley rats.”The American journal of Chinese medicine 36,5 (2008): 849-59. doi:10.1142/S0192415X08006296
- Dai, G et al. “CordyMax Cs-4 improves steady-state bioenergy status in mouse liver.”Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 7,3 (2001): 231-40. doi:10.1089/107555301300328106
- Manabe, N et al. “Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism in the mouse.”Japanese journal of pharmacology 70,1 (1996): 85-8. doi:10.1254/jjp.70.85