Happy Valentine’s Day!

Every year around this time I get asked by patients and the media alike about aphrodisiacs.  Are they real?  Do they really affect your mood?  What foods will make you feel all loved up?  Instead of leaving you wondering when you should instead be planning a romantic weekend, I’m answering all your questions right here and now!

 

What are aphrodisiacs and are they fact or fiction?

An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire.  The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love.  Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable.   People debate aphrodisiacs a lot at this time of year but as the saying goes ”You are what you eat,” because what you eat directly influences your body and the way your body functions.

This means the food you consume can have a direct impact on your sex life, affecting your hormones, brain chemistry and energy and stress levels.  Some foods have psychoactive properties, others arouse because they are psychologically suggestive, and some can actually increase blood flow to the genitals!

 

Are there reasons some foods are considered aphrodisiacs?

Some foods are considered aphrodisiacs because of the way they are shaped and look. As you know, our senses play a large part in how we feel inside and out, and the look, taste and touch of something can be a powerful stimulating aphrodisiac.

 

What are some common aphrodisiacs and how do they work?

 CHOCOLATE

Let’s start with the good stuff! Cacao aka chocolate, the king of natural aphrodisiacs, contains a host of compounds including anandamide, the psychoactive feel-good chemical, and PEA (phenylethylamine), the “love chemical,” which releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain and peaks during orgasm.  PEA is said to help induce feelings of excitement, attraction and euphoria. Cacao also contains tryptophan, a key component of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin which promotes a sense of well-being and relaxation.

OYSTERS
Oysters are probably the most famous aphrodisiac, and most people are aware of their reputation for increasing sexual desire. Throughout history oysters have been thought an aphrodisiac because of their high zinc content, which helps produce sperm and increases libido.

HONEY

Honey is a great source of boron, a trace mineral that helps the body use and metabolize estrogen – one of the main female sex hormones. Studies have shown that honey may also enhance testosterone levels in the blood. And testosterone is the hormone responsible for promoting sex drive and orgasm in both men and women.

BANANAS

This wonder fruit isn’t just for smoothies and cereal anymore! Bananas are loaded with potassium, magnesium and B vitamins and contain chelating minerals and bromeliad enzyme – which is said to enhance male libido.

BASIL

Basil not only makes meals smell and taste better, but has beneficial effects on the body. It is said that basil’s aroma has a stimulating and aphrodisiac effect. Using sweet basil in a pasta sauce will be sure to get your heart racing! Maybe this explains why Italians are so romantic!

GARLIC

For those of you planning on smooching this Valentine’s Day, I can only imagine what you’re thinking: Yuck, but garlic is so strong! Garlic is full of allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow. So, whip up an extra-garlicky dish and keep the Altoids handy.

Not satisfied yet?  Here are a couple more that may surprise you…

ASPARAGUS

An English herbalist once wrote that asparagus “stirs up lust in man and woman.” In the 1800s in France, bridegrooms were served three courses of the sexy spears at their prenuptial dinners. Apparently for good reason, as asparagus is a great source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin B6, vitamin A, Vitamin C, thiamin and folic acid. Folic acid is believed to boost histamine production necessary for the ability to reach orgasm in both sexes.

 ALMONDS

Through antiquity, almonds were regarded as fertility symbols. The aroma of almond arouses passion in females — or so thought the poets and scribes. Scientists say almonds provide high doses of vitamin E, magnesium and fiber. Therefore, there seems to be something in the almond myths after all.

There’s so many choices to get you in the mood for love!  Pick your favorites, get to the grocery store, and get your romance on!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

XO

Dr. V

 

 

• Need an excuse to kiss under the mistletoe or when the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve? 

• Could kissing be the cure to everything from high stress to illness and allergy? 

• Could increasing lip contact help you lose your weight? 

The answers to all three are a big YES.  Need a few more reasons to kiss?  How about ten?  Read below!

 

So why should we pucker up this season?

 

1) Improves your mood

During a lip-lock the brain releases dopamine and which is responsible for feelings of desire and bonding, and serotonin that elevates your mood. The feelings and emotions stirred up, and molecules and chemicals released throughout the body from a kiss can heal emotional “boo boos.”

 

2) Decreases STRESS

In the moments of a great kiss, the chaos of the outside world is quiet, there’s silence in the mind, and the body relaxes and releases stress away. A kiss lowers stress by decreasing the body’s cortisol levels also known as the stress hormone. At the same time kissing stimulates the brain and creates a sense of peace and calmness by altering the body’s oxytocin levels.

 

3) Keeps your skin toned

Kissing involves 34 facial muscles, and 112 postural muscles. The most important muscle involved in the peck is the orbicularis oris – as it puckers the lips.

 

4) Can prevent cavities

Throw in a little tongue and you may keep the dentist away. Kissing increases saliva production and this saliva washes away bacteria that can cause cavities, tooth decay, and plaque build-up.

 

5) Can Cure allergies

Kissing decreases IgE antibodies in the blood that are responsible for the release of histamine. Histamine release in the blood stream causes allergy symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes. Therefore, more kissing means less sneezing and histamine release.

 

6) Burns calories

As you lean in, your lips touch, and your heart skips a beat. Well maybe it doesn’t skip a beat, but it definitely beats faster. As the heart beats faster it releases adrenaline, also known as epinephrine and other neurotransmitters in the blood. The boost in adrenaline increases your metabolism and helps burn calories. A  passionate kiss, lasting about twenty seconds can burn up to 2-3 calories per minute.

 

7) Is heart healthy

Kissing keeps your blood pressure & cholesterol level low. A study of cohabiting and married couples showed an increased frequency of kissing decreased stress, increased relationship satisfaction, and decreased cholesterol levels. Stress is a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Therefore kisses keep you heart healthy with a one two punch by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and stabilizing the cardiovascular system.

 

8) Provides immunity against illness

Swapping spit means swapping germs and that is nature’s natural vaccination. Being exposed to others’ germs your body makes antibodies against those germs, which can in turn lead to immunity and prevent illness. But wait a minute, kissing and the exchange of saliva can lead to the transmission of some diseases, including mononucleosis, the flu, and cold sores (herpes) if the virus is present in the saliva. Please be mindful many people today have severe food allergies; exposure to these allergens (such as peanuts, shellfish) through a kiss can be deadly.

 

9) Relieves pain

After a long day do you have a little back pain? If so, take 2 kisses and skip the pain reliever. Kissing releases natural chemicals in the body called endorphins that can be more powerful than the narcotic morphine to relieve pain (without the constipation morphine causes).

 

10) Can add years to your life

Kissing your honey goodbye in the morning can increase HIS life by 5 years. It’s true, studies have shown men live longer when they are married, and kiss their spouse or partner goodbye in the morning. Sorry ladies, the same is not true for us. But a great kiss can curl your toes and leave you wanting more when he comes home.

 

Pucker up for health!

XO

Dr. V

 

Fall is definitely upon us and that means that we’re experiencing change not only season-wise (hello fall coat, welcome back into my wardrobe) but the sun is setting earlier and morning are darker as well, meaning I don’t know about your commute but my drive to and from work these days are both going down in the dark! Honestly, some days I’m stuck in the OR and I never even see the light of day.  So how can a girl get in her workouts, run errands, and commute safely as the daylight hours get shorter?

Daylight Saving’s time will be here before we know it and we must start to critically analyze our walks and routes to and from home and places like the gym to assess if they are SAFE. To be sure you’re protecting yourself while commuting, here are a few musts to think about (and talk about with your girls) to prepare for your fall and winter commute:

1)   Keep a flashlight on your keychain that you can whip out quickly.

2)   Consider keeping pepper spray in your purse or on a keychain. Make sure you know how to use it before you squeeze that trigger.

3)   Workout with a buddy – don’t exercise, or even walk your dog alone in the dark

4)   Have someone walk you to your car (and then drive them to theirs) after work or play.

5)   Stay away from dimly lit streets, parks or trails that are lined with a lot of trees. If you feel uncomfortable walk in the street and KEEP your eyes open for any cars or buses.

6)   Stay alert. Don’t walk down the street with your headphones on and in both ears

7)   Alternate your routes depending on the amount of daylight.  You may have a daylight route to work, the gym or heading out with friends and one for when it’s darker out!  It’s better to opt for a longer, more well-lit route than a shorter dark one!

8)   Enable the GPS on your phone so your whereabouts can be traced.

9)   If you are a bit nervous while you’re out – call a friend and talk while you walk,

10)  Always carry $20-40 dollars in a safe stashed place on your person for cab fare or consider using Uber.

Have a safe and well lit weekend.

XO

Dr. V

 

 

Happy Friday and let me officially welcome you to the fall.  This season is actually my favorite time of the year. The humidity is gone and soon boot and sweater weather will be here.   The only drawback about the cooler months is getting in and out of the car in cold weather. I especially dislike pumping my gas in the winter time, it’s chilly outside and worse than that, more and more it seems that even doing something as simple as pumping gas is becoming unsafe for us women. So this week ladies, gas pump safety is exactly what I want to talk about.   Let’s start with a question:

Have you heard of ‘Sliders’?

Let me tell you what a slider is. It’s a person who slides into your car while you are pumping gas or paying for it, and while in your car they steal your purse, wallet or other valuables!  I know!! Awful isn’t it?  It’s amazing how brazen and bold these purse snatchers are.  Police call these thieves ‘sliders’ because just like a Slinky they slide into your car below the level of the car door and snatch items off the front seat.  I know here in Washington D.C. this has been an escalating problem, and they’re also seeing it in other parts of the country.

Another thing to watch out for: the hit and jack act. There has been a recent increase in people who will purposefully hit your car, and when you get out to look at the damage they will car jack you and drive off with your vehicle.

To combat these dangerous situations I have tips to keep you safe on the road and at the pump.

1)   While pumping gas – TAKE YOUR KEYS with you and lock the car when you get out.

2)   Roll the windows up when you get out of the car to pump gas.

3)   Keep your valuables off the front seat in plain sight.

4)   Stay alert and aware of your surroundings – don’t talk on the phone and pump gas.

5)   If someone hits your car before you get out to assess damage call 911.

6)   If you get out of the car, lock it and keep your keys with you at all times.

Wishing you safe drives all fall long!

XO

Dr. V

Happy Friday! This weekend as you head out to celebrate – whether it be New York Fashion Week or just a party because it’s one of the last weekends of the summer remember that you should absolutely NOT invite Molly to hang with you.  Because Molly is one girl you DON’T want to hang with… and let me tell you why.

There have been more and more stories in the news about people who have met this pretty young girl, Molly and found out that she is nothing nice. Recently two young people died of a suspected Molly overdose at New York’s Electric Zoo festival leading to the early shutdown of the multi-day concert.  Another recent death of a young girl at the House of Blues concert in Boston was also attributed to Molly.  In case you don’t know, here’s a little bit of info about the notorious, yet increasingly popular, Molly:

Molly is the purest form of MDMA – 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Whaaat? Well basically it’s an AMPHETAMINE, which means it’s a stimulant (an “upper”) and gives you a euphoric, high sensation when you take it.  Now the thing about Molly is that even though people think it’s the purest form of “X”, it may not be because you never know what it actually has been cut with – it could be cocaine, PCP, caffeine, dextromethorphan (which is in cough syrup)- so you never know how “pure” it really is.   This is especially the case when procuring it from someone at a party or concert, but really, Molly is dangerous all around.

Now I know some of you may be thinking, “well I only use it when I party”, or “I just tried it once.”  I’m sorry those answers just won’t fly. You see the thing is: a) you don’t know what is TRULY in the pills you are taking (no matter how trusted the source) b) people have died the first time they have taken these drugs and c) you just don’t know if YOU are vulnerable to addiction. Your genetics, body, personal environment and other life factors can directly impact your susceptibility to becoming addicted to ANY drug including Molly as well as impact your reaction – which could be fatal!  That means that even one hit could prove to be deadly.

Despite all of these dangers, Molly is out in the community and prevalent more and more in pop culture and I’m guessing someone you know knows someone who knows someone who may have tried Molly (or you yourself perhaps dabble in it) which means it’s important I fully educate you about this drug so if you are ever in a situation where there’s an emergency you can help.

Usually a hit of Molly takes about 15 minutes to kick in, peaks and has its maximum effects in about 45 minutes. Similar to other “uppers” like cocaine, Molly gives the sensation of feeling high, hyper and very alert. Some people lose their sense of time and others feel exaggerated sensations like enhanced sense of touch or sound.  Other users have reported feelings of anxiousness and agitation, have sweats, chills, or feel faint or dizzy. Molly can also cause blurred vision, nausea, and increase your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as dangerously elevate your body’s temperature. Weirdly, Molly can cause forceful clenching of teeth, so clubbers have reported chewing on pacifiers to relieve the tension they feel. Since the drug’s effects last 3-6 hours many people combine Molly with alcohol or other drugs to keep the part going all night (not something that is good for your body in any way, shape or form).

Here’s something else you may not know: one solitary pill can have weeklong effects that include feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression and even memory problems.  Studies in animals have shown that high doses of the drug for only four days led to long-term brain damage that was seen 6-7 years later.

The facts speak for themselves: Molly isn’t a girl you want to know and quite honestly the medical community doesn’t know everything about it yet including its long lasting effects (partially because it can be combined with and cut with other drugs). What we do know is that ER visits for Molly and other MDMA- related drugs have doubled in the past 6 years!

So there you have it ladies and gents, the hard truth about a (too) popular drug.  My doctor’s orders?  Stay away from Molly. She’s not a good friend, will never be you BFF and will only bring you down and get you into more trouble than you want to deal with for the weekend – let alone your life!

XO

Dr. V

It’s the weekend  – AGAIN – thank goodness! I don’t know about you but I certainly feel the stress and tension in my shoulders from a busy work week finally releasing away as I type this week’s post! Can you believe it’s almost Labor Day and BACK TO SCHOOL time already? In the spirit of continuing education I wanted to share some bedroom basics with all of you!

Let’s start with some stats: OMG ladies, a study of young adults in the UK showed that “boys” really are gross like we all thought when we were in middle school. Peep this, the average British man between the ages of 18-25 changed his bedroom sheets only once every 3 months!!! What???  They were literally changing sheets only with the changing of the seasons.  Yes, these gents also reported various bed partners sleeping on those grubby sheets.  Dirty bed sheets can contain dust mites, thousands of dead skin cells, and even bed bugs. Ewwwww. These unhygienic conditions can cause allergic reactions, asthma flare-ups, allergic rhinitis, and other skin conditions, that could all be avoided with a little Tide laundry detergent!

Ladies, as you send nieces, cousins, sisters, friends, and daughters off to college and you yourself head off on overnight dates remember to keep the importance of changing sheets at the forefront of your mind. Be aware that the same sheets on their man’s or friend’s bed may have been there for weeks on end and it could be time time to tell him to strip – the bed that is – and wash those sheets!

Speaking of a happy and healthy bedroom here are a few romantic bedroom basics we all need to have…  scroll below and tell me did we include your must have’s?

1)   Clean Sheets

2)   Condoms

3)   Scented Candles

4)   Lamp with dimmer switch

5)   Lube

6)   Clean bed set – including a comforter that’s not leftover from college – and a spare set for when you regularly change those sheets!

7)   Gently used (NOT old & raggedy) pillows.  Be sure you replace these regularly too and keep them clean!

Have a safe holiday non-itchy clean sheet weekend

Dr. V