By Amanda Montell
Unusual Aphrodisiacs
Obviously, wearing a body-hugging ensemble or watching a sexy flick together can get a man in the mood. But there are some surprising sights (and even scents!) guys find equally arousing. Here, experts share the top 10 most unexpected turn-ons for men, and how you can use them to spice things up in ways you won’t believe. Photo by Thinkstock
1. The Smell of Pumpkin Pie
Forget the Chanel No. 5, ladies. Chicago’s Smell and Taste Research Center found the scent of pumpkin pie mixed with lavender increased men’s penile blood flow more than 23 other fragrances. Why? The combination might conjure up memories of a pleasure-filled meal or simply make men feel extra-relaxed. Thanksgiving desserts and potpourri may seem innocent enough, but bake a pie next to a sprig of lavender, and your hubby may suddenly want to take a trip to the bedroom.
2. Fear
Terror as a turn-on? It seems that way! University of British Columbia researchers dispatched two sets of men to stand on two separate bridges-one reassuringly sturdy and another that was long, shaky and suspended 230 feet in the air. Next, they sent a beautiful female assistant to ask the two groups to fill out a survey. Those on the precarious bridge gave more risqué answers to her questions. Feeling threatened is linked to arousal in the brain, which may have spurred those men to open up. Who knew anxiety could be such effective foreplay?
3. The Color Red
Consider that little red dress for your next date. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers instructed men to rate pictures of women wearing different colored clothing. Guys said the ladies in crimson were most attractive, even more than the exact same women donning other tints! Cultural conditioning, thanks to red-light districts and rosy Valentine’s Day hearts, could play a part in the appeal. But biology may be to blame, too: Female humans and other primates go red in the face before ovulating, which attracts males during this most fertile time.
