The only thing I can understand on the subject of aphrodisiacs is that as long as the scent can aid in the increase of sexual desire etc then it's considered an aphrodisiac. I did a little research on the subject myself and there is hardly any actually scientific data I could find that shows the increased desire. I think personally it plays a part in the emotions and brain.

When I smell my mangosteen body polish, I don't get aroused really by it, but it just make me feel good smelling it. I'm sure that using it on my partner would increase my desire, but mostly because of the act of doing that together would get us in the mood.

I hope you can find some more solid information on it.

I'm going back to

I think this is something I really want to address in these reviews...because I think people can get caught up in the hype (especially newbies) and then kick themselves when something doesn't work.

I reviewed a product that contained pheromones. Here is the article I cited: link. I'm happy to discuss the science if there is anything you do not understand.

Also, that site (Pubmed) is an excellent resource for scientific literature.

Actually - according to DONA's product information - it did. They consider Acai to be an aphrodisiac:

Acai: a berry that comes from the Amazon; contains anthocyanin which is an antioxidant known to reduce cholesterol and has the potential to prevent blood clots (acai has ten times the antioxidant potency of red wine); one of its most notable effects on the body is a marked increase in stamina.

I actually have like four pages (or more?) of information from the company.

I have used one that passion parties sells... I don't know that it makes a difference to others but maybe to you (the wearer) it has a placebo effect of making you be more outgoing and self confident to present a sexual demeanor. I am currently trying a product called "Steel Labido" to see if it increases my sex drive and desire but no official opinion yet... I really think that a lot of these products are based on the placebo effect more then on actual mechanism or action. That said the human brain can be very complex obviously and also very manipulated. Certain foods will triger certain psyc responses and physical effects on the body as will certain smells or ingestion of certain medications. The brain can't really distinguish reality from fantasy or opinion - it only basis its response on sensory inputs. A combat tactics class I took once presented this concept for agressiveness and survival. Initially I didn't buy it but the instructor went on to explain this concept by the following statement. "Have you ever been to a movie? Have you ever jumped from your seat? Cried? Gotten angry at the movie or someone in it? Why? They are just paid actors and none of that is real. Your mind only believes it to be. The same happens when your hand goes in a pail of water with a medical glove and your hand feels wet. But when you take off the glove its dry. Simple sensory maniplulation that tricks your brain into false reality". He was very correct. Thats why porno movies make most folks horny or want sex. It doesnt matter that those are actors fucking. The natural and unnatural products will stimulate parts of your brain into feed and breed mode more then fight or flight but the rest of the total effect and if you respond to it is in your head. Good luck and let me know! I would love to get the subtle jedi like mind powers to drop boxers and panties with a slight wiff of come-do-me spray. Xox

There is no definitive, scientific evidence that aphrodisiacs work. The study I cited on androstenol is the closest you will find where the authors demonstrated that exposure to pheromones stimulated areas of the brain associated with mating behavior. However, that does not demonstrate that the subject was aroused. The problem is that there is no measurable quantity to say that someone is aroused. You can't simply say that because an area of the brain is stimulated that a person is aroused. Arousal is much more complicated than that.

My suggestion is that you can mention in your review the companies claims but give a disclaimer stating that none of this is substantiated by scientific evidence and results may vary between individuals. I think that you could also discuss the placebo effect as that likely also plays a role. I would give your honest opinion based on the amount of information you have on the subject. That's all you can really do in this case.

I am a little skeptical of some of the claims the company is making, particularly the comment about absorbing aphrodisiacs through the skin. The skin is designed as a defensive barrier to keep things out. It does not readily absorb everything or else we would absorb any toxic substance we touch, which is clearly not the case. With most topical drugs, a chemical is added to help with absorption. I would have to look up all of the ingredients to see if the product contains such a chemical.

I think if any absorption is going to occur it would only be upon the surface layers of the skin. However I have seen some research that shows many cosmetics, beauty products do actually get absorbed through the skin (over time) and actually end up in the blood stream. I don't have the exact source on that right this second, but I'm sure this is limited to certain ingredients and certain periods of time.

Eh overall it's hard to tell fact on the internet, anyone can say anything and make it sound believable. My personal belief is that the skin absorbs a lot of things, but also repels as well. It is definitely capable of topical absorption. Now we just need research on these supposed aphrodisiacs! While the skin absorbs many things, it repels many others. Even if our skin were to absorb an aphrodisiac such as the ones in the Dona product line, I really don't see what it is going to do other than make the skin smell good? I think it's definitely a part of their marketing strategy, so that customers who have little or no knowledge about this stuff will jump all over it. Just like companies that slap "organic" or "super fruit", "anti-oxidant rich" etc all over their products. When in reality unless its all natural and in concentrated form it's really not going to benefit you much.

What I don't understand is that the Dona line is cheap enough as it is, seriously most of it is around $10 each but yet they are slapping all these things on to market it more. Okay so I'm going off-topic here haha. On my final thoughts, I don't see any exact evidence of something being an aphrodisiac that will increase sexual desire. I can only see these scents being very yummy and pleasant that might help facilitate you getting in the mood for some naughty fun.

I agree that there is a difference between being absorbed "into" the skin and "through" the skin. My intent was that most molecules do not get absorbed through the skin. To me, arousal is a complicated mental state that can't simply be defined by measurable parameters. Hormonal levels and physiologic responses are part of it but not the complete picture. An erection alone does not indicate that a man is aroused.

Also, this is outside my realm of expertise, but the issue you mention about cosmetics being measured in the bloodstream may be nanoparticles. Cosmetic companies are now using nanotechnology in products, which are extremely tiny particles (smaller than most cells) and can pass into the bloodstream. I don't think long term effects are known, but there is obvious concern. Sunscreens are one cosmetic I know that nanoparticles have been used in.