Is Coffee An Aphrodisiac? (Fact Or Fiction)

Many people have been telling me that coffee is indeed an aphrodisiac.

As a coffee consumer, my first instinct is to determine whether coffee can directly affect sexual desire.

After all, coffee plays a significant part in my life, so I want to check whether this claim is true.

I've researched everything you need to know about coffee and why (or why not) it's considered an aphrodisiac by studies, so you won't have to scour the internet for answers.

I'll also include the answer to a related question: is coffee good for sex?

Let’s find out!

Let’s first define what an aphrodisiac is. An aphrodisiac is a drink, food, or drug that causes sexual excitement.

In other words, it stimulates sexual desires.

So, do coffee drinkers get a higher sex drive than those who don’t?

Let’s take a deep dive into the studies.

A research published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior evaluated the effects of coffee on female rats' sexual arousal.[1]

In the study, female rats received 15 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight to test their pace in mating encounters.

The study showed that rats injected with more caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, tend to return to their mate for a second round of sex faster than those injected with less.

While the results seem promising, do note that this study is conducted on rats, and their anatomy does not necessarily reflect the female libido.

Further research and study are needed to establish that coffee has an effect on a person, particularly females, sexual desires.

Couple laying in bed with a cup of coffee on the nightstand

However, regarding the psychology of mating, rats and humans have some similarities.[2]

In an article, Fay Guaracci, the researcher who conducted the rat study, says that “the female seems to control the mating encounter.”

She added, “so when a male and a female rat are ready to mate, the female does all the gatekeeping for the male.

She decides when it's time for him to mate, in the wild as well as in the lab."

Essentially, the study aims to identify the chemistry and brain structures involved in the sex drive of mammals, which includes us humans and rats.

So, if you're a female who doesn't normally drink coffee, a standard cup or two can help promote libido.

Another study was conducted focusing on the effects of coffee on erectile dysfunction.[3]

Published in PLOS ONE, the study found that males who consume more caffeine, equivalent to two or three cups of coffee, are less likely to experience problems in bed.

Yes, you read that right.

Caffeine, found in coffee, can help with erectile dysfunction.

However, caffeine can also be consumed in drinks like green tea and energy drinks.

The study found that men who consumed 85 to 170 milligrams of caffeine daily were 42% less likely to experience problems in the bedroom.

Those who consumed more, around 171 to 303 milligrams, had only been 39% less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction.

Men with type 2 diabetes who participated in the study were the only ones who did not see results from consuming coffee.

This is because diabetes affects how the body turns food into energy, messing with the blood sugar levels.

As a result, the adrenal glands impact the hormones, which overrides the benefits of coffee consumption.

In fact, men with diabetes are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.[4]

This research is one example of coffee benefits, specifically how this beverage promotes blood flow.

Let's discuss more the actual benefits of coffee in your sexual performance and the possibility of spicing up your private time in the next section.

happy couple drinking coffee in bed

Does Caffeine Increase Your Libido? (Love Life Benefits)

Apart from the proven benefits of a cup of coffee from the studies mentioned previously, coffee has other health benefits that can have a positive impact on your world and sex life.

Gives You Extra Energy

When it comes to the bedroom, the extra boost of energy a cup of coffee gives can help those experiencing problems relating to the duration of sexual intercourse.

Caffeine blocks the neurotransmitter adenosine, which increases the levels of other neurotransmitters responsible for regulating energy levels.[5]

This gives you the ability to power through longer periods of sex.

So, to increase your endurance, drinking coffee before your bedroom activities can be a great stimulant.

You can also drink it during your break if you're feeling down at work.

Can Improve Mental Focus

Besides stimulating the sex drive, caffeine can also stimulate the body's nervous system, particularly the brain.

This stimulation boosts the brain's production of dopamine, which is one of the neurotransmitters that control focus.

On top of that, dopamine is also known as the feel-good hormone and is responsible for the feeling of pleasure.

So, if caffeine can help boost the feel-good hormone, what happens when you drink a cup (or more?) of coffee before sex?

Well, I’ll let you answer that. 

Boosts Stamina

If you can't sustain prolonged physical exertion, you need stamina.

Although the best way to achieve this is by exercising, your morning cup of joe can help increase stamina.

In fact, coffee is often used by athletes looking to increase energy levels and performance.[6]

Sounds like what you need in your private time? You know what to do.

Reduce Stress

Because caffeine can increase the production of certain neurotransmitters, coffee is known to help regulate mood and reduce stress levels.

From personal experience, coffee is my go-to drink when I'm stressed or not in the mood to do anything.

With just the fresh smell of a good cup of coffee in the morning, I can feel my stress melt away.

According to science, studies have shown that drinking coffee can help balance hormones both in men and women.

It also decreases the risk of depression.[7]

Man and women drinking coffee on the couch and laughing

Making The Perfect Coffee (For Improved Sexuality)

By now, you already know how coffee can help your sex life.

But what if I tell you that there’s a recipe to make the perfect coffee aphrodisiac?

This sex coffee contains ingredients that are known to help with sex drive.

Plus, this coffee has an amazing taste!

Here’s how you can make one:

What You’ll Need

  • ⅔ cup of coffee (Arabica beans are recommended, but whatever you prefer)
  • 2 tablespoons of coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon of raw cacao (cacao nibs are fine as long as it’s uncooked)
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 teaspoon of maca
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Hand blender or hand frother

Instructions

  • 1
    In a bowl, add the coffee, coconut milk, raw cacao, honey, and cinnamon.
  • 2
    With a hand blender, beat all of the ingredients in the cup until frothy.
  • 3
    Add the maca and beat it again.
  • 4
    Lastly, enjoy this delicious concoction.
Man and woman intertwining legs with coffee in bed

Other Natural Aphrodisiacs For Men & Women

Apart from recent studies, coffee has been known to promote libido since ancient times.

If you’re looking for natural ways to increase your sex drive, here are some foods and drinks that are considered aphrodisiacs:

  • Chocolate
  • Maca
  • Ginseng
  • Pomegranate
  • Ashwagandha
  • Coconut milk (in some cultures)

Also, wine and a shot of alcohol are known for encouraging the flow of serotonin and dopamine, but consume them moderately.

Too much alcohol can have the opposite effect, as it can make you sleepy and feel depressed.


Frequently Asked Aphrodisiac Coffee Questions

When should I drink coffee before sex?

You should drink coffee 15 minutes to 2 hours before sex, as that’s how long it will take for your body to feel its effects.

Which type of coffee drink is best before sex?

The best coffee drink before sex is made of cacao, honey, cinnamon, coconut milk, maca, and of course, coffee! I have shared the recipe above so you can create it at home!

Does coffee boost testosterone levels?

Yes, coffee can boost testosterone levels.


Conclusion

Although coffee can provide fun benefits to your sex life, do note that too much coffee can have detrimental effects on your health.

If you're planning to use it to spice up your love life, be sure to drink the right amount of coffee in moderation.

So, what are you waiting for? Go sip that coffee now.

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305705003394?via%3Dihub
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/BF03334458
3. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123547
4. https://bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12902-017-0167-5
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132598/
6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40520-020-01645-6
7. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0004867415603131

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is a freelance writer whose love for coffee goes beyond just drinking it--she enjoys writing about it too. When she's not writing, you'll find her sitting in a cafe, reading a book while drinking a freshly brewed cup of joe.

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