Page 56 - Issues131-133

used to place the branches and other ingredients, and surely the pronunciation of the locals derived
in the now recognized "mamajuana".

Is it an aphrodisiac?

Now, beyond its flavor, the fame of Mamajuana is due
to the infinite stories of the Dominicans themselves
about the magnificent "aphrodisiac effects" of this drink.
However, the reality from the scientific point of view is
different.

Let's see. Since ancient times and in the most diverse
cultures, the sacred books, and why not also in the
famous Kamasutra, have tried to show that certain
foods stimulate and improve the sexual appetite.

To this day we could say that the list is so long that
there are almost no foods to which energizing
properties are not attributed sexually. Some, such as
chocolate, oysters, celery, nutmeg, garlic, ginger,
caviar, asparagus, and prawns, among many others,
take the cake and are the most mentioned as an article
has been written for special dates like "Valentine's
Day." Either because of its appearance (phallic, lip or
vulvar), because of its aroma, its flavor, or its texture, there are foods and beverages that are more
likely to be cited within this category.

However, from the point of view of neurophysiology - there is no evidence that these foods and
drinks enhance sexual desire. In any case, as with cayenne pepper and other spicy flavors, for
example, what is produced from the physiological is the increase in heart rate, metabolism and
sweating, characteristics that are also evident during sexual intercourse.

In reality, in most cases, what can actually happen to the
consumer of such foods is a "placebo effect" that,
associated with the circumstances that can occur in a
seduction situation (food and drink, environment, lighting,
clothing, fragrances, music, etc.), will surely lead to
greater eroticism and act as a mutual stimulus for sexual
intercourse. This "placebo effect", which has been talked
about so much in the cure of various diseases, has its
fundamental component in the brain, where imagination
and desire come from. If one fervently believes in its
beneficial effect, it will surely work.

In her adorable book "Aphrodite", Isabel Allende
sarcastically comments: "Shark fins, babún testicles ... if
you need to resort to such extremes to raise your libido or
desire to love, we suggest you consult a psychiatrist or
change partners". And she adds later: "In the tireless
quest to strengthen the fragile male member and heal the
indifference of distracted women, one goes to the extreme
of swallowing cockroach dust."

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