Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)
Maca is a Peruvian cruciferous root used for libido, energy and mood. It has reasonably consistent human evidence for improving subjective sexual desire, but notably it does this without changing testosterone or other sex hormones. It is a libido and wellbeing supplement rather than a hormonal booster.
01 Overview
Maca contains macamides and glucosinolates thought to act on non-hormonal pathways; controlled trials repeatedly show improved self-reported libido and some benefit for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, while measuring no change in testosterone, LH or estradiol. This dissociation between libido effect and hormone levels is one of the clearer findings in the herbal-ergogenic literature.
Users take gelatinised maca powder or extract for libido, energy and mood, sometimes to offset SSRI or finasteride-related sexual dysfunction. It is well tolerated. The main practical cautions are goitrogenic glucosinolates (relevant to thyroid conditions, mitigated by gelatinising/cooking) and mild GI or stimulatory effects in some users.
02 Mechanism
Cruciferous root providing macamides and glucosinolates that improve libido and energy through non-hormonal (likely neurotransmitter and adaptogenic) pathways without altering sex-hormone levels.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelatinised powder / extract | 1500–3000 mg/day | Oral | Typical dose used in libido trials (~1.5-3 g/day). |
| Higher intake | 3000–5000 mg/day | Oral | Upper anecdotal range for energy and mood. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improved libidoMultiple RCTs show increased sexual desire independent of hormone changes. | moderate / subjective | Clinical | |
| Benefit for SSRI-induced sexual dysfunctionSmall trials report improved sexual function in people on antidepressants. | modest | Clinical | |
| No change in sex hormonesTestosterone, LH and estradiol are unchanged in controlled studies. | none | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goitrogenic potentialRaw maca glucosinolates can interfere with iodine uptake, relevant to thyroid disorders. | Mild | Thyroid-relevant | Preclinical | |
| GI upset / jitterinessBloating or a mild stimulatory, jittery feeling in some users. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal |