I’ve been taking Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) on occasion through the last two months both on its own and in the context of other substances. There are some great things and some not-so-great things I’ve noticed about it, but for now I’m going to cover whether or not it is good for orgasm and sex.
Contents
- 1 What is velvet bean and why is it important?
- 2 Where can I get velvet bean?
- 3 Mucuna Pruriens increases libido
- 4 Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) may increase orgasmic potential in men and women
- 5 Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) can lead to premature ejaculation
- 6 Dosage of Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) For Orgasm and Libido
- 7 Conclusion
What is velvet bean and why is it important?
Mucuna pruriens, also known as velvet bean, is a legume native to Asia and Africa.
It’s popular in Ayurvedic medicine, and is known to boost dopamine levels.1 Its active component L-DOPA (a dopamine precursor) is similar to the drug levodopa used to treat Parkinson’s syndrome.2 The dopaminergic/cholinergic system balance is in implicated in Parkinson’s.
In one study they’ve actually explored the use of mucuna pruriens for Parkinson’s treatment and the results were promising enough to warrant further study.3
Another fun fact: The fuzzy insides of the bean pods are itchy to the touch since they contain 5-HTP, a serotonergic.
Where can I get velvet bean?
You can actually get it in most places they sell supplements and herbals. The clerks in some stores had no clue what I was talking about and never heard of it. The bigger supplement and health stores should have it though, so you’ll know if a store is legit because they will have it.
For online retailers, iHerb has a whole host of mucuna pruriens supplements (I enjoyed the one by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare.)
My other favorite vendor Powder City sells Mucuna pruriens bulk powder.
Mucuna Pruriens increases libido
Because velvet bean is an L-DOPA source (L-DOPA being the amino needed to make dopamine), and dopamine is one of the primary neurotransmitters related to sexual drive, taking velvet bean can really increase your libido.
In my experience, it won’t have you popping boners in the same manner as TestoJack 100 or citrulline, but it can have a marked effect on your desire to have sex and be aroused. If for some reason you haven’t been in “the mood,” velvet bean may help.
Furthermore, these benefits don’t just extend to men, healthy non-pregnant/non-lactating women can also experience the sex drive-boosting benefits of velvet bean. I’d take a modest dose at least an hour before having sex.
Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) may increase orgasmic potential in men and women
If you are slow to get off, (perhaps your sensitivity is low, you’ve just orgasmed or you’ve spent too much time masturbating), velvet bean may actually bring your dopamine levels back up enough to let you orgasm again.
I have reason to believe that because of the excitatory/inhibitory relationship between dopamine and prolactin4 and their role in orgasm and the refractory period that follows5, velvet bean’s dopamine-boosting properties may reduce prolactin and let you get back to the action.
As for libido, velvet bean can be as helpful for non-pregnant/non-lactating women as it can be for men to reach orgasm since the same neurochemistry is involved in both sexes.
Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) can lead to premature ejaculation
There’s usually a downside to substances like velvet bean which play with the balance of neurochemicals. For example, if you already have a high libido, taking velvet bean will not make you any hornier than you already are.
In fact, velvet bean can lead one to “arrive” prematurely enough to “jizz in their pants,” as it has happened to your humble author. (Thankfully it was more laugh-inducing than embarrassing since I had a suspicion as to what caused that to happen, has never happened to me before, and she took it as a compliment.)
Therefore, if you are an “early shooter” or otherwise have a decent libido to begin with, velvet bean may not be helpful to you. It may actually make you a one-minute man which most of you do not want. If this is the case for you, give it to the lady instead.
If you are looking to counteract something like erectile dysfunction (i.e. willing spirit but weak flesh), I would suggest instead citrulline or TestoJack 100 as I’ve just mentioned, or yohimbe if stimulants don’t bother you and you need sexual stamina.
You may also want to explore the drug Phenibut for sex as well. See also GLL’s post on Phenibut and Sex (!!Not work safe!!)
Dosage of Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) For Orgasm and Libido
Since dosage may vary between vendors and extractions of mucuna pruriens are not standardized, it’s recommended that you use the recommended dosage on the packaging that comes with your product. Experimenters beware.
I always recommend using the minimum effective dosage that works for you.
Conclusion
If it’s hard for you to orgasm, grab some velvet bean. If you want your lady to be more eager in the sack, give her some velvet bean.
There’s tablets and bulk powder of the stuff and it can make a difference in how quickly you can orgasm, so beware!
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Examine.com – Mucuna pruriens ↩
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PubMed – Dopamine agonists in Parkinson’s disease. ↩
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British Medical Journal – Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study ↩
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PubMed – Dopamine as a prolactin (PRL) inhibitor. ↩
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PubMed – Orgasm-induced prolactin secretion: feedback control of sexual drive? ↩