Supplements vs. Placebo

Alright everyone,

In the past, I've taken stuff like L-Arginine and Maca, with honestly no real effect. My question is, for those of you who have reported results with these supplements, how much do you attribute to a tangible chemical effect and how much just to placebo?

It seems like everyone has an opinion on what herbs to take or whatever, but frankly, I'd rather not shell out more money on what could be a dead end. I think I might be better off just waiting for the Viagra patent to expire in 2 years and for it to go to generic.

NSB503;333050 said:

Alright everyone,

In the past, I've taken stuff like L-Arginine and Maca, with honestly no real effect. My question is, for those of you who have reported results with these supplements, how much do you attribute to a tangible chemical effect and how much just to placebo?

It seems like everyone has an opinion on what herbs to take or whatever, but frankly, I'd rather not shell out more money on what could be a dead end. I think I might be better off just waiting for the Viagra patent to expire in 2 years and for it to go to generic.

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Sometimes, it has more to do with dosage and quality of the product. I have had noticeable results with maca powder, not just placebo effect, but real, tangible difference, but I know that you need to take at least a full tablespoon or more (for me it was two per day) of the concentrated form (called "gelatinized" with the cellulose removed) to really see what it can do. One tiny capsule is virtually worthless, to be honest. You need a therapeutic dose. The history of Maca indicates that, and if you see how cultures that grow Maca and use it daily integrate it into their diet, it is not just a tiny little capsule or two.

Same for Arginine. You have to sort of calculate based on body mass, etc. what a therapeutic dose will be, and take it on an EMPTY stomach so you don't interfere with absorption, etc. For me, I find great results at 6 grams. No side effects.