Designed for Intimacy: the Secret Behind Our New Blend

Our new Arouse Gummies have a lot going on — and for good reason. These little bites of bedroom bliss come packed with a long list of supportive natural aphrodisiacs. Many of them come with a long history of traditional use for their libido-boosting potential. Excitingly, many are also now seeing support via modern-day scientific investigation. 

As always with natural options, more robust study is required before these effects are 100% proven through a modern scientific lens. But it is fascinating to hear about how many plants have woven themselves into our pleasure centers throughout human history due to their naturally sexy potential.

An ingredient whose name doesn't beat around the bush, horny goat weed has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a sexual tonic for both men and women. According to legend, its sassy name stemmed from a goat herder who observed his flock rolling around in the hay, as it were, after eating the plant as lunch.

But it's not just a suggestive name; horny goat weed may boost arousal through a few different channels. For starters, studies suggest it may improve blood flow, which supports sexual health through its active compound, icariin. Icariin blocks something called the PDE5 enzyme, which helps muscles relax and increases circulation. 

Additionally, horny goat weed has been found to boost nitric oxide production, further enhancing blood flow and potentially supporting hormone balance for improved sexual function.

Now, we travel from traditional Chinese medicine to the Andes mountains in South America to look at maca root, a vegetable native to Peru. It also has thousands of years of traditional use, both as food and as medicine. 

From more recent scientific explorations of maca root, it's thought to have several characteristics, like supporting hormone balance and increasing energy levels, that also assist elements of arousal. So, for example, in men, studies suggest that maca root can increase libido without affecting testosterone levels and may even positively impact fertility. In women, another small trial found it seemed to reduce sexual dysfunction and even increase libido.

In addition to hormonal support, in animal studies, maca has demonstrated an ability to support energy and stamina by optimizing how the body produces energy at the cellular level. The thought here is that maca could help with endurance and reduce physical and mental fatigue. Can't we all use a bit more sustained energy between the sheets?

If you love cooking Indian dishes, chances are already familiar with fenugreek. It's been integrated into Ayurvedic practices for millennia, used in both culinary and medicinal recipes.  Why incorporate an Indian spice into a gummy for arousal? It contains special compounds called furostanolic saponins and protodioscin, which prevent the breakdown of testosterone.

Studies have shown positive results, with men taking fenugreek supplements for 12 weeks experiencing up to a 46 percent increase in free testosterone levels. Among men, testosterone is a critical hormone for sexual health and is responsible for sexual arousal, orgasms, and overall performance. Beyond libido, studies into fenugreek have also documented a favorable impact on sperm health by boosting sperm count and motility. 

Now, let's look at a herbal ingredient long used in Southeast Asia for all things male vitality and sexual wellness. Longjack (aka Tongkat ali) is a root that has the potential to increase testosterone levels, libido, and performance in men. 

Studies have found it works by increasing free testosterone levels by reducing the effects of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and impeding an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. 

According to small trials, daily doses of longjack measurably increased testosterone levels, particularly in older men and those with low testosterone. Supplementation has been linked to improvements in sexual desire, erectile function, and overall sexual performance, enhancing both arousal and satisfaction.

But you'll also notice we included it in our formulation for Her. Women also have testosterone, and research has discovered it helps women balance hormone levels, especially during menopause. Other female-focused studies have found it seems to help increase energy levels, lower daily stress, and even boost mood. All of which can play into the female-arousal puzzle. 

Taurine is an unassuming naturally occurring amino acid, but it surprisingly plays a vital role in enhancing sexual health. Recent research has shown it may regulate key neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, which are crucial for sexual desire, arousal, and performance. The trickle-down effects from these actions suggest that taurine can enhance libido and sexual response. In contrast, its calming effect on GABA receptors helps calm nerves that may interfere with performance.

Beyond the brain-boost, taurine is also beneficial for blood flow, a key factor in sexual performance for both men and women. It increases nitric oxide production, promotes vasodilation, and improves endothelial function for better circulation. Research has also found that taurine may improve erectile function and help sustain testosterone levels, both of which are critical parts of the male-arousal puzzle. 

But doesn't taurine come mostly from animal sources like shellfish and red meat? Plant-based eaters can rest easy as it can also be synthesized. Like all our gummies, Hometown Hero's Arouse Gummies with taurine are vegan.

A final element within our new line of gummies for libido is a small serving of hemp-derived THC.

While many people are familiar with the euphoric and fun effects of this cannabinoid, did you know it can also enhance intimacy, sensation, and satisfaction from sex? That's right. Studies have found that smaller servings of THC can actually enhance intimacy by increasing sensitivity to touch and heightening overall pleasure. According to one survey about how cannabis alters sexual experience, 73 percent of people said that with a serving of pre-coital cannabis, they experienced greater sexual satisfaction, and 65 percent reported more intense orgasms.

Beyond the physical sensations, there are also effects on mood and stress. It turns out that THC doesn't just soothe your mind after a stressful day; it quiets the outside noise so you can tune into the person you are with. Together, these effects contribute to a more fulfilling and enjoyable sexual experience.

Another ingredient pulled from Traditional Chinese Medicine is Siberian ginseng, not to be confused with the more common ginseng (Panax ginseng). In more traditional medicines, it is widely used for vitality and stress management. Today, it's often categorized as an adaptogen. 

Our Arouse Gummies formulated for him contain a serving of Siberian ginseng precisely because of its energy-boosting properties linked to special compounds called eleutherosides. Studies have suggested that Siberian ginseng can fight fatigue, enhance endurance, and improve recovery. These implications have been studied for endurance athletes, but there is obviously some overlap with endurance in the bedroom. 

Why is it just in our Arouse Him option? So far, most of the research has just looked at the possible benefits for men. It's yet to be seen if there are any benefits on the female side of the spectrum.

Dong quai, known as the "Empress of Herbs" or "Female Ginseng," is yet another famous herb from Traditional Chinese Medicine. There is evidence it has been used since at least the first century AD when it was first described in the Classic of the Materia Medica. It's also found in Ayurvedic and Unani-Tibb cultural medicinal practices.

Like so much of female-focused medicine, it has gotten much less attention in the modern age than ingredients focused on men. But that doesn't mean dong quai doesn't have merit. Specifically, there is a long-standing belief that this medicinal herb helps regulate estrogen, promotes uterine health, and helps with menstrual cycle regularity. 

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is also frequently used to boost blood health, including circulation. Blood flow is an essential aspect of pleasure and heightened sensations for women.  

With such a long list of natural ingredients pulled from traditional cultures around the world, how do all of these ingredients work together for a very arousing experience? 

Rather than viewing each ingredient as a simple additive—where the libido-enhancing properties combine—it's better to think of them as working synergistically, for exponentially greater effects. In other words, these ingredients complement and enhance each other's effects, creating a more powerful and well-rounded experience than any single ingredient could achieve on its own. 

Whether they help with blood flow, intimacy-related stress, stamina, or pleasure, all these ingredients have overlapping effects. But part of that magic is that they all work through separate channels. Meaning they work together to increase the pleasurable potential. 

Arouse Gummies are designed with magical ingredients long thought to have natural effects on libido and sexual sensation. With special formulas optimized for Him & Her, our edibles might just help you tap into a deeper zone of pleasure than you ever thought possible. This product is the perfect companion for a more fulfilling experience this Valentine’s season and for keeping the passion alive any time of year.

Upgrade your next date night with Arouse Gummies, and until next time Mind your Mind