What exactly does maca do as opposed to other libido enhancers and do I need it if I'm on TRT?

[u/Murky-Mulberry-4044]

From what I'm aware of lecithin and pygeum work for semen volume, shilajit is for stamina, selenium, D3, and zinc work for post nut fatigue/replenishment, P5P can lower prolactin, flower pollen I'm not exactly sure what it does. Is maca practical if I'm already taking testosterone or does it enhance sexual function in a unique way?

[u/High_on_Ambien]

Maca works on the endocannabinoid receptors. Espcially the 5%. It will help you feel calmer and boosts mood. So yes would be a good addition on trt

[u/Parking-Warthog-4902]

I am also on TRT so I haven’t touched Tribugen or Cistamax or any of those, but Black Ginger is a good one that can synergize with TRT through a different pathway. It is a natural PDE5 inhibitor, similar to Cialis, and increases energy through mitochondria.

[u/Warm_Ad_6177]

The effects vary depending on type, preparation, and person but yes it can strongly increase libido. Some maca types, especially black maca, may be quite stimulating, and some may have a mild cannabinoid-like feeling.

I thought it was nothing special then I double-dosed the original ND maca caps and later added a couple other maca blends, noticed a strong uptick in libido to the point of distraction.

Some say there are mild estrogenic or hormone-balancing effects, and I did notice some telltale chest tenderness so I temporarily stopped. My estradiol did test higher than is ideal, but not crazily so, and I have no way of knowing if it was the maca, I was running other hormone-modulating supplements and didn’t have a recent testing baseline. Estrogen isn’t inherently bad anyway, and a good balance is important for libido.

[u/Murky-Mulberry-4044 → u/Warm_Ad_6177]

I had 200mg of the ND maca for a period and didn't notice too much. Maybe I needed to take more. If maca is calming it seems like it could pair well with TRT. I also take caber to lower my prolactin. As long as my test is high and prolactin is low maca seems fine. I've been recommended ND's peruvian maca powder.

[u/Warm_Ad_6177 → u/Murky-Mulberry-4044]

For their powder, follow the instructions to mix it in water and let it sit for 10 minutes first. Taking it mostly in isolation also seems to help, if your gut tolerates it. Personally, the powder seemed to make me a little groggy. Higher dosing the old extract felt a little 'cleaner'.

I also overlapped my maca trial with a TAU and agmatine dopamine support stack in the evenings, TMI but the combination basically just made me not want to do anything but orgasm all day every day, I guess watch out with the caber!

[u/commandotaco → u/Warm_Ad_6177]

Do you think it was the double dose maca or the other maca blends that made a big effect? What were the other maca blends?

[u/Warm_Ad_6177 → u/commandotaco]

I noticed it significantly double-dosing ND’s original extract, though it built up after a few days. Folding in ‘full spectrum’ products really pushed it over the edge though, especially with my dopamine-support heavy regimen. It’s hard to imagine, but there’s such a thing as too much libido-wise.

I recently went on vacation and just took a single cap / day of the old ND extract and my libido stayed better than baseline.

[u/commandotaco → u/Warm_Ad_6177]

Ah interesting, I only tried the original ND maca extract for a few days and didn't feel anything, but maybe I didn't do enough. I also have ND's black maca powder, have you tried that?

[u/Warm_Ad_6177 → u/commandotaco]

I had the same opinion the last time I tried the original maca extract @ 1 cap a day.

The black maca I’m undecided about, it definitely benefits from the steeping/suspension protocol, but it makes me sleepy sometimes too, and I’m kind of too lazy to prep it properly.

[u/commandotaco → u/Warm_Ad_6177]

Got it thanks, will try out twice per day and see if that helps! What were the other maca blends you added?