Beta-caryophyllene is a pretty cool natural compound found in plants like black pepper, basil, and oregano. It’s a terpene, which means it gives off a strong scent. But here’s the cool part—BCP doesn’t just smell nice; it interacts with your body in fascinating ways offering many health benefits.
We already know that it’s great for managing inflammation, joint pain, mental health, etc., but scientists have now explored its ability to help improve sexual desire in both men and women.
And there’s some promising research that suggests it can very well do that!
So, let’s get into it!
The Study on Women: Sniffing Your Way to Desire?
A study in Japan reviewed whether BCP could help raise testosterone levels in women and possibly increase their libido (sexual desire). Since talking about sex was a tricky situation in the country, researchers relied on an easy testing method: measuring hormone levels in saliva.
They worked with 19 women who were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (the phase before ovulation) and exposed them to a scent for 20 minutes.
First, they asked these women to smell a neutral substance (dipropylene glycol) and then BCP. The researchers took saliva samples four times: before and after each test. They wanted to determine if BCP affected testosterone and estrogen levels in the saliva.
The results showed that BCP significantly increased testosterone levels in the saliva, but it didn’t change estrogen levels. This shows that BCP can help improve libido in women by raising testosterone, which is linked to sexual desire. It’s not a magic bullet, but it shows potential as a natural remedy for low sexual desire in women.
What About Men?
While this study focuses on women, BCP can also have benefits for men. Since testosterone plays a crucial role in male libido, anything that can boost this hormone will help.
That being said, more studies are needed to confirm how BCP impacts male sexual desire specifically.
Additional Studies That Support BCP’s Role in Improving Sexual Health
- A study found that BCP can help with erectile dysfunction (ED). ED often happens when harmful molecules called free radicals damage the tissue in the penis. The study shows BCP can reduce this oxidative stress and improve ED in rats. Plus, it actually worked better than a common ED drug.
- Another study further found that BCP might be a natural option for people with ED, especially when combined with a common ED medicine, sildenafil. It shows that BCP can improve erectile function and reduce the activity of harmful enzymes that contribute to ED.
- Research shows that BCP exposure can increase lordosis (a sexual behavior) in female rats, suggesting BCP might make them more interested in mating.
What About Side Effects?
BCP is generally a safe and well-tolerated compound. In fact, the FDA has recognized it with a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) designation.
This means that, based on extensive research, BCP is deemed safe for use in foods and supplements under FDA-approved conditions. This highlights BCP’s safety and its potential as an addition to your health and wellness routine.
You can read more about BCP and if it has any side effects here.
Should You Give It A Shot?
If you’re looking for a natural way to enhance your sexual desire, BCP is certainly worth exploring. It’s found in essential oils, can be added to a carrier oil for massage, and can be taken sublingually (the best way to consume it).
Final Thoughts
So, can Beta-caryophyllene improve your libido? The research sure backs it up! This natural terpene shows promise as a libido booster. More studies will give us clearer answers, but for now, it’s a safe and natural option you can certainly consider!