For those who can’t get through the day without a cup (or three) of coffee, you might be getting more than one benefit from your morning cup of joe.
Recently, TikTok users have been touting the benefits of coffee in the bedroom and and as it turns out, the experts agree.
UK doctor Dr Karan Rajan, who goes by @dr.karanr on TikTok has responded to the claims circling on the platform and has confirmed that in this case, TikTok isn’t wrong.
According to Dr Karan, coffee can have a “vasodilating” effect when consumed in high doses, where it “widens the blood vessels and improves blood flow.”
“The better your circulation, the more flow to your erectile tissue,” Dr Karan explains. “Thus, the more likely you are to reach states of arousal that sets the stage for a great [orgasm].”
Can Coffee Help You Have Better Sex?
While we don’t always like to take a TikTok doctor’s word for it, Dr Karan has shared his sources—including a 2005 study from the journal Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior that found a relationship “between caffeine and sex” in animals.
“Female rats who were administered caffeine engaged in more hanky panky,” Dr Karan explained, but also said, “there’s no real research into whether that can extend into the genitalia of humans.”
However, a 2010 study from the University of Texas did find a connection between caffeine and a women’s level of arousal. The researchers attributed this to the stimulant qualities of the coffee.
Dr Karan also highlighted the stimulant element of coffee and suggested that the drink’s sexual benefits may be derived from the “increased focus, alertness and heart rate” it gives drinkers, making them more “active” in the bedroom.
Dr Karan concluded that there is only one way to find out whether it works for you.
“It does seem like a fairly benign experiment, so do whatever you need to float your erogenous boat,” he said.
That sounds like a sign to finish your next date night off with a couple of espresso martinis.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
