Why My Sex Drive and Energy Levels are High and Stress low

Maca is a lot of things (all of which will be discussed in this post), but one of the most amazing effects it has is the ability to increase sex drive and energy levels to impressively high amounts.

Speaking of my favorite benefits of Maca,  it's  also an adaptogen (meaning it improves your body’s ability to heal  and adapt, which is why it’s used to battle stress). 

 This is probably one of the most exciting blog posts I've ever worked on, and one of the most exciting herbs I have ever used.

In this post I'll share my experience with it so far, my experience with The Root Of The Matter in general and also the benefits/effects of using Maca powder, so get ready because I have done my research!

Where Maca Comes From

Maca is grown in Peru, in the Andes, and has been used

Maca Root(Image source: Limetreelife.com)

by Incans as an “ancient superfood.” Maca is considered a food, but that's not the only thing!

Due to all the amazing (almost outlandish sounding) claims I've heard of Maca powder, my interest was increasing. I kept reading about Maca's benefits and how to obtain it from a reputable source. From there,  I was lead to The Root of the Matter, which is where the Maca I'm using came from, as well as several herbs (that I'm very excited to share about with ya'll as well, but haven't completed my posts on them all). 

Gelatinized Version and Why I Use It

I started using The Root Of The Matter's Maca powder in gelatinized form  over a month ago.

The Label includes The Root of The Matter's nutritional and food supplement information on their Maca.

During my research, I read that a lot of people complained of having extreme cases of stomach pain after weeks of using non-gelatinized Maca powder. 

Maca Powder color varies, and tends to be darker tan when gelatinized.

 (Image source: Natural-fertility-info.com

Most people who experienced this said it wasn't sudden, but came on after weeks of use. 

Since I've already done enough stomach-pain suffering, I decided not to chance it and to go with The Root Of The Matter's gelatinized version of Maca powder, and here's why...

Gelatinized Maca powder is said to not cause the stomach pain people tend to get from using raw maca powder.

 It's just something about Maca in its raw form, and although there are a lot of guesses as to why this happens, nobody's all that sure. I read that the Incans always consume it cooked -- only cooked, so it makes sense to go with the gelatinized version.

What Exactly Does Gelatinized Mean?

If I've done my researching correctly, gelatinized Maca means the starch has been extracted. Removing the starch makes the Maca easier to digest and I've also read that it makes it easier to absorb. 

Gelatinized usually means it's been exposed to some heat. The Root of The Matter's Maca Powder is sun-dried, which was an important thing for me when I was looking into finding the best possible Maca powder.

Sun-dried means the heat is not high enough to destroy nutritional content, but enough to remove starch content.

I've read that you can get the non-gelatinized version and bake it (different people recommend different degrees, but most say 300 - 350 F)  for at least 30 minutes. Others say bake  longer. 

Apparently, baking it removes the stomach-pain-causing properties. I cannot attest to that as I didn't risk it, and went with gelatinized. 

However, it may be important to also note that some people claim that baking Maca powder will cause it to lose some of its efficiency or nutritional properties. 

As we know, cooking things sometimes destroys the nutrients/enzymes. On the other hand, a lot of people have also said they felt like baking the Maca powder intensified its properties/efficiency and mineral content, so I suppose it's really just something you have to experiment with to know how you'll prefer it, personally.

           I have been experimenting by doing different amounts of Maca and trying it in different foods/drinks. I'll get to that later.

The Root Of The Matter does carry a   non-gelatinized form of Maca powder, as well as a  product called Monster Maca! It's more powerful, from what I have read, so I was no doubt impressed by the selection of Maca. 

 Taste

Maca Powder, to my tongue, has a nutty flavor most comparable to hazelnut, in my opinion.

 I've described it as tasting like powdered cheerios, too.

Image source: Trademarkia.com

The Root Of The Matter's Maca Powder is sweet and very, fine/powdery. This made me think it wouldn't mix well in drinks, and end up at the bottom, until I tried it and  found that it dissolves better than any powder-product I've ever mixed in a drink before. 

I can easily add it to coffee or other drinks without getting a mouthful of thick powder once I reach the bottom. 

I mostly take Maca with my coffee.  Since it has what I think of as a nutty flavor, it tastes fine in a coffee with 1 hazelnut creamer. Or without creamer at all, which is usually how I get it. 

The Maca Powder gives the coffee a slightly sweeter taste.

You can add Maca Powder to many different foods or drinks, so it's best to just to get creative and experiment. 

Image source: Pixelscrapper.com

I've read some interesting, delicious-sounding recipes for Maca Powder, but have yet to get time to really try many of them. If you go to The Root of The Matter and scroll down their "How To Use This Stuff Page," you'll find where Ken has taken the time to put up recipes for using the Maca. He says it goes well with hot chocolate! I, too, think this would be a great way to enjoy it, but have yet to try it myself.

Maca will go wonderfully with oatmeal, cereal, milkshakes, some smoothies. I've heard a lot of people say they put it in yogurt. 

I've sprinkled some on a peanut butter and even white chocolate chip macadamia cookies and thought it was great. I could barely taste the maca powder when I rolled it into the chocolate chip macadamia dough. 

 I've said several times that maca cookies would be delicious. I'm seriously considering rolling it into some sugar cookie dough. 

You can use it to bake like you would flour. In fact, it reminds me a little of almond flour.

I've also added a teaspoon to an eggnog milkshake and let me just say yum! It also worked to mask the somewhat potent taste of the Maca better than most foods/drinks I've tried it in. 

I've discussed how Maca powder would be good sprinkled on ice cream (vanilla, a banana split, etc.). Toast perhaps. Bagels?  Muffins? I've tried those with nice results. I just don't add a whole teaspoon to one food item (it might be too much on one small muffin.) So instead, I spread my doses out a little some days by adding it to different foods.

Mixed with Nutella, peanut butter and especially a peanut butter/banana sandwich! 

Image source: Learnsomethingeveryday.co.uk

Or Eat it By the Spoon!

Maca has a decent flavor . Most people end up  enjoying it by the spoon. .  . Unless you're like Isaac Newton, and in that case... add to a drink, or ... use nature's spoons -- your hands?

 As I've grown used to its unique flavor, I've gotten to where I can easily down a half a teaspoon with some water. It took some practice to build up to it, but it's something I came to quickly adjust to. Like coffee or say, BC Powders. At first, it never tastes good, but you begin to crave and love the taste over time.

The only thing I've not cared for is when dumped straight into my mouth from a full teaspoon, it can stick to the roof of my mouth, so it's necessary to have water on-hand if I'm taking it straight like that. Not that the left-over tastes of Maca I get every few minutes when it's stuck aren't lovely. It's pretty pleasant and keeps me from wanting chocolate so much.

Maca's Full Nutritional Content 

(To the best of my knowledge, anyway. It's very possible that I left something out as Maca is truly crammed full of nutritional stuff. If you find that I've missed something, let me know & I'll gladly research it out and make the necessary fixes to my post.)

 Vitamins:   B1, B2, B12, C and E.

Minerals:  Calcium, Iron, Iodine, Phosphorous, Zinc and Magnesium.

      Other: 

• Protein

• Amino Acids and 22 Fatty Acids. 

• 55 different phytochemicals: 

Image source: askbettyowen.com

 *Note: The Root of The Matter sells organic Maca Powder (very important that it's organic!) Also, it doesn't contain any additives or fillers. It is sun dried.

**The Gelatinized Maca Powder from The Root of The Matter  has been Certified by The National University Of Agriculture La Molina In Peru To Have A Gelatinization Index (Percentage Of Maca That Is Digestable) Of 100%. You can even view the certificate from The Root of The Matter's website. 

Some of Maca's Properties: 

 Let's start with one of my favorites: The Sexual

Image source: Yourtruthdiet.wordpress.com

Due mostly to the plant sterols and amino acids contained in maca, it is considered (and rightly so!) an aphrodisiac as it truly, truly does increase libido (I'll go deeper into detail with my own experience after this section).

Image source: Memegenerator.net

• Has been successfully used to treat erectile dysfunction in some men.

  * 2 Two RCTs (Randomised Clinical Trials) "suggested a significant positive effect of maca on sexual dysfunction or sexual desire in healthy menopausal women or healthy adult men, respectively, while the other RCT failed to show any effects in healthy cyclists."

You can find that study here. 

The same article on Pub Med states that "the further RCT assessed the effects of maca in patients with erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 and showed significant effects."

• It increases sperm count (this could explain the below section I wrote about people claiming Maca got them pregnant.)  

Image source: Quickmeme.com

•  Maca also increases sperm count and improves sperm health.

• Maca Benefits female reproductive health.

 I read online that several women thought they were infertile and became pregnant after using maca! I'm not even kidding. 
I read these comments on places like Amazon and  there were dozens of people saying that they had unexpected pregnancies and some even claim it "cured" infertility, which I have no doubt that's true. 


Re-Balances Hormones and Hormonal Related Problems

• Maca is well-known for its incredible ability to balance out hormones, which actually came as a ginormous surprise to me as I experienced changes there as well.  

• Maca can help with PMS and menopause.

Study shows Maca improved menopausal symptoms.

• This PubMed article mentions a study aimed to show the "health status based on a health related quality of life" between maca users and non-maca users.  Maca consumers were shown to have "better health status" and lower chronic mountain sickness scores.

Maca May Increase Bum and Breast Growth

 I also read where several people said their breasts and behind got larger after taking maca. This was so shocking to me because there are millions of people on the hunt for breast and bum enlargement products, even I fell into that crap a few years ago and tried several myself. It's so surprising that Maca is not more popular for this. 

I know you guys are going to be asking me if my rear end and chest grew, (you wouldn't believe the millions of emails I get from a post I wrote on breast creams 2 years ago) so I'll go ahead and get to that:

I'm not sure, actually. It's been over a month, and I'm not sure, but I did have to check myself out after reading these claims and while this could be a placebo thing, I did think my rear looked... more firm. Okay, there you go.

Of course if in fact, Maca does cause some people's behinds and breasts to grow, then it makes us wonder if it also causes other areas to grow.

So I researched it. It shouldn't cause weight gain at all from what I've read. In fact, it's supposed to help with weight control and for some, maybe suppress appetite. 

Now, I will keep an eye on my behind and update if I grow anywhere. And if you still get in touch, I'm always happy to hear from ya'll, no matter the topic.

Aside from that, some people use maca for help increasing muscle growth. I suppose it would make sense that it could also increase your chest and/or bum, too then.

• Due to some of the contents, Maca is a fungicide and antiseptic.

The Energy and Metabolism

Energy! No jitters like caffeine. Boosts metabolism, energy and stenght. I can attest to this bigtime because my pole exp.

Scientists say the more times you use maca, the stronger your body gets!

The Skin

Maca is said to “desensitize” skin, so it can cause your skin to be less sensitive to harsh temperatures. It can clear acne and blemishes. Since Maca balances the hormones, it helps with hormonal breakouts, too.

• Maca can be used externally on the skin to help heal acne and other problems. It can be easily made into a paste by adding a couple drops of water and applied.

The Mind 

Image source: impactthinkers.com

• Depression, mood swings and stress are all drastically improved (in some people, it's going to always depend on the person).

• Increases mental focus

•  Enhances and improves our memory, ability to learn and causes us to be more alert. 

 Study showing Maca reduces anxiety and depression. 

Other Benefits: 

Image source: dhrd.hawaii.gov

• Can help lower HBP and cholesterol

• Provides nourishment to malnourished 

•  Reduces prostate enlargement

•  Since Maca is high in fiber,  it can be somewhat helpful for the digestive system.

•  Researches discovered that Maca has increased bone density in women who take it. 

Just to give you a visual. Image source: sdchirogroup.com

That was extremely good news to me, as most of you know, I've been working very hard to help build my bone density due to having some risks in that area.

• Promotes cartillage growth.

•  Improves liver function

•  Said to relieve migraines, which really caught my interest as I suffer from them often. 

(Source: Natural News)

My Results -- Migraines

I wasn't sure if I was seeing any change in my migraine pattern until the last week. It's common to wake up with a headache, and especially during a certain time of the month I never fail to have migraines for about 5 days straight from the moment I wake up.

That week is almost up and I've not had the first migraine. I did experience a few headaches, especially today after a chaotic incident, but it was interesting that only a while after feeling my head start pounding, I realized it had quit! Not 100% gone, but barely there! I even had my partner amazed at that.

Maca Dosage

Image source: Mycommunitycreative.com

The label on The Root of The Matter Maca Powder instructs with everything you need to know about using their Maca. Even then, you have hours of helpful information all over The Root of The Matter website, so I was able to take this stuff and feel absolutely comfortable.

The recommended starting dose is 1-3 teaspoons daily.

I started with half a  teaspoon since I'm always careful. Later that evening, I finished the other half. I thought I noticed a little pep in my step for a few minutes, but nothing to be sure of. 

I kept taking only 1 teaspoon a day like that for about 2 weeks, until I finally started thinking that this is just something I require a higher dose of. I usually require a lower dose of most supplements than the recommended amount, so I wasn't doing it right.

I then increased to two tablespoons for a few days and no doubt felt it. Then, yesterday, I did approximately 3 tablespoons and managed to accomplish some pretty unbelievable tasks considering the chaos going on and how down I was due to some crappy circumstances. 

Today, I increased to 3 tablespoons throughout the day and felt even better. I think I've found my right dosage -- 3 tablespoons.

Again, the suggested dosage on the label is 1-3 teaspoons daily.

Ken says, in his "How to Use This Stuff Page" that 1-2 heaping teaspoons of Gelatinized Maca Powder is best, but you can do more on days when you need to feel super good. 

Which brings me to this: I love being able to peruse the "How To Use This Stuff Page" on The Root of The Matter because during the first couple weeks, I wanted to be certain I wasn't screwing things up, and there's great info on The Root of The Matter for this kind of thing. 

 How long does Root Of The Matter Maca Keep?

2 years.

A Re-Cap of My Results/Experience With Maca 

(note: I will continue updating this section anytime I notice changes.) 

Increased libido : I don't want to go all "TMI" on you guys here, but holy guacamole! 
 

*Let me hurry and put a warning here: You can see where this is going (TMI = too much information), so if you're not into reading about someone's sex-drive, skip this section. Sorry, but it a huge change for me, so I had to include it in the post.

My partner when I "did you notice any difference after taking the Maca Powder? Was it better for you?"

Exactly the type of thing my partner has said to me! This cartoon describes a lot of moments between us, except the roles are reversed! Image source: Funnytimes.com

I never really thought I would see changes in things like my libido while taking Maca. I'd heard a lot about it having the ability to help with ED and all sorts of sexual stuff, but I just assumed I was all in-balance and that my sex drive would always be what it was -- average, maybe a tiny bit more than normal, I guess.  

However, the very first thing I even noticed while taking maca (even after two weeks!) was a super change in my libido. It was almost instant. Not even 4 whole days passed from the very first time I took Maca and I thought I was someone else.

Naturally, I assumed it was just a phase I get every month or so, until it didn't go away! It has actually increased so much that sexual activity has been every 2-3 days non-stop since the first week of our taking Maca. Un-believable!

Normally, I'd get kind of burned out and just too tired to.. ahem.. be so busy, but it looks like I've been struck with the Maca-induced libido! 

Strength:  This is another thing I'd read about, but never thought I myself would experience -- increase in strength. I began to notice this only just the past week, most especially when I finally had the "get-up and go" to get back to poling (on my fitness pole). 

It's been a very long time since I've felt like even getting back on the pole because I just got so fatigued and it requires such an intense workout that after feeling blue and fatigued for so many months, I didn't have what it took to bother with it anymore. It had been almost a year since I'd even spun on the darn thing!

And three days ago, I had the urge to go back to it. It was unexpected as I'd begun to think I'd never feel motivated to get back to using it again, but I did and boy did I go at it! Even in the days when I was an avid pole-user, I was never able to work out at such a hefty length of time and with so much gusto (for lack of other word.) I really couldn't believe I had all that in me. I basically attacked that pole, and let me tell you, the next two days -- I'd never been so sore in my life! Even my arm-pits were sore!

And besides feeling a little more energy and motivation from the Maca to get back to poling, I actually was able to climb, spin like mad and do almost every move I was able to a year ago. Like I'd never stopped, only I did experience some dizzyness from spinning. But after almost a year, it's a miracle I was able to even spin and climb without being beat. That very night is when I decided that Maca was no doubt nothing short of incredible.

Yes, I do realize that I am now doing what other people did, and what I didn't believe could happen for me -- raving like a mad woman about Maca's benefits! I just didn't think it'd do these great things to me like other people claimed. 

Bottom Line: Maca absolutely increases strength and endurance for me.

Okay, I'm trying to not be long winded...

Agressive. I think it's possible that when you reach the super noticeable dose of Maca powder, you can feel slightly agressive, but not in an angered, violent manner. I've experienced nothing like that, but I noticed I was doing strange things like rough housing! It's been years since I've really did that, and I found myself tackling Bronson and thought 'what in the world is wrong with me.' And it hit me -- must be the Maca! 

And this new "agression" ... Perhaps agression is not the word I'm trying to use. It's like a very playful, energetic mood where I'll have some urge to say, do a cartwheel, or jump on Bronson's back unexpected when I haven't done these things in years. Except when I had to teach my neice to cartwheel...

I hope that makes sense. I'm not sure if I'm the only person who experiences that particulary "extra" or if people just haven't been able to describe what this feeling is.

 

 Pain (Most speficially Migraine):   As I stated earlier, I was even more surprised to find that I'd been having less headaches and migraines, even during times of the month when I always experience them. I've not had the first actual migraine since a few days after beginning Maca powder. I've experienced occasional headaches, some pretty bad, but never one that lingers for hours and hours. 

It's possible that it's helped with healing, too as I noticed that my muscles were so sore I could hardly move the day after I got back to using my fitness pole, but the soreness was almost gone by day two. Day3 and I feel no soreness. Besides that, my partner fell and was badly injured and in intense pain yesterday, swearing that the pain would be way worse by today because it usually is. I didn't hear him complain but two times of pain today! I can't say 100%, but I think Maca is really benefitting in these areas.

Stress:  As of tonight, I am absolutely sure that Maca has benefitted my stress levels. I'll give you the story:

A family member has given me one of the hardest times of my life this week -- I won't go airing the dirty laundry, but I will say, it's bad. The situation is tragic and I honestly don't know how I've made it through without breaking down yet, but I've not. I haven't even came close! I've complained and griped and spent time thinking through the situation, but I've not one time felt my usually freak-out, panic, anxiety crap. 

Not only that, but the situation escalated to truly horrific today, and then on the interstate (this type of situation usually ends with me having a panic attack) tonight, we're in the far side lane stuck in traffic when this crazed woman rides up beside us (not even in a lane!) and is pushing us over! We spent about 10 minutes riding like this and barely avioding a wreck. She was psycho and literally did not care if she plumb ran us into the cars beside us. It was a crazy situation.

Guess who didn't scream or have a panic attack? This girl! I did feel a pounding headache shortly after because it was scary and stressful, but within a short while, I didn't even have the headache! Never happened before in my life. Normally, I'd have had a full-blown migraine by the time the night ended.

So, if that's not stress reduction, I don't know what is!

About The Root Of The Matter, and Ken, The Owner

If ya'll have ever visited The Root of The Matter, you may have noticed how unique the site is set up. Instead of never knowing who is behind the products you buy and use, The Root of The Matter creator, Ken Johnson, M.D., is always right there on the site giving his advice, loads of awesome suggestions and information about the products there as well as his own experience with the products!  You can even click here to meet Ken!

This is one of my favorite things about The Root of The Matter because I can click on a product and read more than just some made up random "testimonials," but exactly what the openly honest owner has to say, too. And the generally uplifting, fun air of The Root of The Matter is enough to keep me cravin' more of it... And the Maca!

Ken is an impressive guy, I must say. He's interactive and communicates himself with the customers, which is one way to have my respect. It just makes things so much easier on the customer, and it feels so different, and way better knowing you can speak directly to the owner and know a little about what he recommends, his own experiences and other ways of just making life more fun, in general. This is my experience with The Root of The Matter and while I realize all this extra info makes my review post so much longer, I feel like it's important considering this is a review! The more info, the better.

P.S. I highly recommend perusing the "Maca Powder Thoughts" page to learn loads more about Maca Powder experiences. This is one thing that I found very useful.