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It"s no secret that I"m fascinated by pharmaceuticals.
I was buzzing on one of my favorites, caffeine, as I listened to my friend Violet Blue wax poetic about drugs at a sidewalk cafe: "Antihistamines can make you taste bitter, but it"s simple to fix. Just add cuc.u.mber, mango, pineapple, papaya, or citrus to your diet." Benadryl was now on my blacklist. Cuc.u.mber was on the shopping list.
The week prior, Violet, one of Wired Wired magazine"s "Faces of Innovation" and s.e.x columnist for the magazine"s "Faces of Innovation" and s.e.x columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco Chronicle, had kept Oprah rapt onstage for more than an hour. I wasn"t surprised. Self-proclaimed s.e.x educators often fall in the extremes, whether involving s.e.x parties or worshiping the s.e.x G.o.ddess Ix Chel. Violet was a different breed. Between lecturing to MDs at UCSF and speaking about s.e.x to Google executives at their world headquarters, she had a simple person-to-person mission: to teach people how to safely get what they want in s.e.x.
"Stimulants like caffeine also make it harder to come," she added.
I looked down at my coffee, and I looked down at my twins. Something else to experiment with. I"d come to our lunch date armed with a list of must-answer questions, and she had already knocked most of them off like a major leaguer at a Little League game.
But there was one question, the the question, remaining: question, remaining: What would you recommend, step by step, to a woman who wants to have her first o.r.g.a.s.m?
Violet bounced a little in her chair and smiled, and I prepped my wrist for note-taking. She first brought up the cornerstones, erotica and self-exploration, and then added the details:
1. First, ask yourself a few simple questions: Have you ever felt anything close? Were you previously interested in s.e.x but now you"re not? Are you even interested in having an o.r.g.a.s.m? Then watch Mary Roach"s TED presentation ent.i.tled "10 Things You Didn"t Know About o.r.g.a.s.m."
2. If embarra.s.sment is an issue, get a copy of When the Earth Moves: Women and o.r.g.a.s.m When the Earth Moves: Women and o.r.g.a.s.m.
3. Know thyself. Learn as much as possible about what turns you on. Give yourself permission to explore all all fantasies. After all, they"re just fantasies. Read some quality erotica written and curated by women. Violet has edited hundreds of erotica stories, and her top two picks were fantasies. After all, they"re just fantasies. Read some quality erotica written and curated by women. Violet has edited hundreds of erotica stories, and her top two picks were The Best Women"s Erotica 2009 The Best Women"s Erotica 2009, which she edited, and 60-Second Erotica 60-Second Erotica by Alison Tyler. by Alison Tyler.
4. Get a variable-speed vibrator. Violet recommends a simple egg vibrator with a cord for starters, such as Smoothies or Bullet Vibes. If money is no object, get a JimmyLane Little Chroma ($125) or Little Something ($1952,750[!]). Practice masturbating with your hands as well, inserting the vibrator just prior to o.r.g.a.s.m or when you"re close. Be playful and try it all. Her favorite supplier for all such goodies is the women-run BabeLand.
5. If you want to take it to the next level, strengthen your pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, which will create an "active" v.a.g.i.n.a (and pelvic floor) that can contract from the entrance to the cervix. Insert either a "v.a.g.i.n.al barbell" or LELO Luna b.a.l.l.s-Violet prefers the latter-into the v.a.g.i.n.a and contract against it as you attempt to remove it. This can produce results with as little as five minutes, three times a week. The LELO Luna b.a.l.l.s arrive in two sets so you can use progressive resistance as you get stronger. In tug-of-war with the PC, everyone wins. Your man, in particular, will thank you.
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TOOLS AND TRICKS.
The Ill.u.s.trated Guide to Extended Ma.s.sive o.r.g.a.s.m by Steve and Vera Bodansky ( by Steve and Vera Bodansky (www.fourhourbody.com/doingmethod) This is a comprehensive ill.u.s.trated how-to manual for the Doing Method, which I used for my first successful test-drive of the basic upper-quadrant technique discussed in this chapter. This book also describes the female technique for use on men. This is a comprehensive ill.u.s.trated how-to manual for the Doing Method, which I used for my first successful test-drive of the basic upper-quadrant technique discussed in this chapter. This book also describes the female technique for use on men.
OneTaste ( OneTaste was founded by Nicole Daedone to give women a place to learn about s.e.x and o.r.g.a.s.m from other women. In addition to events and cla.s.ses at the New York City and San Francisco locations, private coaching is available in person and by phone. OneTaste was founded by Nicole Daedone to give women a place to learn about s.e.x and o.r.g.a.s.m from other women. In addition to events and cla.s.ses at the New York City and San Francisco locations, private coaching is available in person and by phone.
San Francisco s.e.x Information ( Have a question about any aspect of s.e.x? Confidentially and anonymously contact SFSI, which provides free and nonjudgmental information about s.e.x and reproductive health. The telephone hotline is available in the United States (or from anywhere if you use Skype), and the "Ask Us" e-mail service is available to English and Spanish speakers. Have a question about any aspect of s.e.x? Confidentially and anonymously contact SFSI, which provides free and nonjudgmental information about s.e.x and reproductive health. The telephone hotline is available in the United States (or from anywhere if you use Skype), and the "Ask Us" e-mail service is available to English and Spanish speakers.
"TED Talk-Mary Roach: Ten Things You Didn"t Know About o.r.g.a.s.m" (www.fourhourbody.com/roach) s.e.xual physiology has been studied for centuries, behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, Alfred Kinsey"s attic, and, more recently, MRI centers, pig farms, and s.e.x-toy R&D labs. Mary Roach spent two years wheedling and conniving her way behind those doors to bring you the answers to the questions Dr. Ruth never asked. In this popular TED presentation, she delves into obscure scientific research to make 10 surprising claims about s.e.xual climax, ranging from the bizarre to the hilarious. s.e.xual physiology has been studied for centuries, behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, Alfred Kinsey"s attic, and, more recently, MRI centers, pig farms, and s.e.x-toy R&D labs. Mary Roach spent two years wheedling and conniving her way behind those doors to bring you the answers to the questions Dr. Ruth never asked. In this popular TED presentation, she delves into obscure scientific research to make 10 surprising claims about s.e.xual climax, ranging from the bizarre to the hilarious.
Violet Blue"s Website (www.tinynibbles.com) Violet Blue is a s.e.x-positive pundit and educator whose audiences range from medical doctors to the viewers of the Violet Blue is a s.e.x-positive pundit and educator whose audiences range from medical doctors to the viewers of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah Winfrey Show. She is also regarded as the foremost expert in the field of s.e.x and technology. If you want to improve your time between the sheets, her site offers dozens of articles as jumping off points. She is also regarded as the foremost expert in the field of s.e.x and technology. If you want to improve your time between the sheets, her site offers dozens of articles as jumping off points.
VIOLET"S RECOMMENDED READING Got a Minute? 60-Second Erotica by Alison Tyler and Thomas Roche ( by Alison Tyler and Thomas Roche (www.fourhourbody.com/60second) Best Women"s Erotica 2009 by Violet Blue ( by Violet Blue (www.fourhourbody.com/erotica) When the Earth Moves: Women and o.r.g.a.s.m by Mikaya Heart ( by Mikaya Heart (www.fourhourbody.com/earth) VIOLET"S RECOMMENDED TOOLS BabeLand (www.babeland.com) Babeland was originally opened in response to the lack of women-friendly s.e.x shops in Seattle. Now it is a one-stop nationwide shop for women who want to explore their s.e.xuality. Babeland was originally opened in response to the lack of women-friendly s.e.x shops in Seattle. Now it is a one-stop nationwide shop for women who want to explore their s.e.xuality.
Vibrator MVPs Bullet vibes (www.fourhourbody.com/bullet) Smoothie (www.fourhourbody.com/smoothie) Jimmy Jane Little Chroma (www.fourhourbody.com/chroma) Little Something (www.fourhourbody.com/something) LELO Luna b.a.l.l.s System (www.fourhourbody.com/luna) LELO Luna b.a.l.l.s are the answer to the "how do you prevent your "hoo-ha" from loosening?" question. Used for five minutes, three times a week, to strengthen the PC muscle, they are also the answer to the question "how do you make your hoo-ha tighter?" Normal Pilates exercises can be used for a complementary effect. Squeeze hard and prosper. Trust me, these are worth the investment. LELO Luna b.a.l.l.s are the answer to the "how do you prevent your "hoo-ha" from loosening?" question. Used for five minutes, three times a week, to strengthen the PC muscle, they are also the answer to the question "how do you make your hoo-ha tighter?" Normal Pilates exercises can be used for a complementary effect. Squeeze hard and prosper. Trust me, these are worth the investment.
The Kegelmaster (www.kegelmasters.com) Though Luna b.a.l.l.s have the most enthusiastic rave reviews, The Kegelmaster is a popular v.a.g.i.n.al barbell and a less expensive alternative. Oddly enough, there is an endors.e.m.e.nt from Teri Hatcher on the homepage. Meow. Though Luna b.a.l.l.s have the most enthusiastic rave reviews, The Kegelmaster is a popular v.a.g.i.n.al barbell and a less expensive alternative. Oddly enough, there is an endors.e.m.e.nt from Teri Hatcher on the homepage. Meow.
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End of Chapter Notes 9. Not her real name. Not her real name.
10. Or normal pillow folded in half. Or normal pillow folded in half.
s.e.x MACHINE I.
Adventures in Tripling Testosterone s.e.x is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation. The other eight are unimportant.-George Burns NOONISH, ONE BEAUTIFUL SAt.u.r.dAY, SAN FRANCISCO, 21 FLOORS ABOVE THE EMBARCADERO PIERS.
"That"s kind of creepy. They"re already 75% healed." Vesper had come out of the shower and was staring at my shoulders.
"Are you kidding? It"s f.u.c.king awesome! I"m becoming Wolverine." I was referring, of course, to the superhero with mutant healing powers. He also has adamantium claws, but that"s where Vesper was a much better comparison.
The night before, she"d inflicted bedroom wounds on my back and arms that weren"t really "scratches." The masterpiece: four 47 gashes in my right shoulder streaming blood that made me look like Bruce Lee from Enter the Dragon Enter the Dragon. Bruce in dire need of Neosporin. Now, less than 10 hours later, three of the gashes had disappeared completely, and the last and deepest was barely visible.
Strange.
The strangeness started much earlier, well before the bedroom, at The Americano restaurant.
Friday at 8:00 P.M P.M. brought the crowds, and the alpha investment bankers were fighting the alpha lawyers for female attention everywhere inside Hotel Vitale. The pressed shirts and dresses spilled from the outdoor patio into the restaurant, where we had reservations. It took a chaperone using football-like blocking to get us to our booth in a secluded back corner.
The catch-up chat with Vesper looked like this: HER: "How are you?" "How are you?"ME: "Unbelievable. But I need to give you fair warning. My biochemistry is very different from the last time you saw me. I feel...well, superhuman." "Unbelievable. But I need to give you fair warning. My biochemistry is very different from the last time you saw me. I feel...well, superhuman."HER ( (EYEBROWS RAISED): "Oh reeeeally? Details, please." "Oh reeeeally? Details, please."
Yes, really. The last time we"d met, I had just taken my total testosterone from 244.8 to 653.3 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), while cutting my estradiol (estrogen) in half. The subsequent roughhousing had been a physical encounter of the first cla.s.s. This time around, I"d just returned from Nicaragua, where I ate gra.s.s-fed beef three times per day for 21 days. I had protein-loaded for the last three days, eating two to three pounds of fatty organic gra.s.s-fed beef per day, including at least 400 grams just before bed. (Don"t worry. I won"t suggest that you do this.) The result?
Fifteen minutes after we sat down, Vesper was in a s.e.xually aggressive stupor. The bread hadn"t arrived and she was already climbing on top of me. This is not a boast. This is not Penthouse Forum. It"s a statement of pure confusion. She is a CEO, and this is not typical public CEO behavior. I thought she was on drugs. Heavy nose breathing, interrupted occasionally with "What is going on? I don"t understand what"s going on..." The whole spectacle was surreal.
She was, literally, intoxicated on pheromones.
I excused myself to the bathroom at one point, and what came next was even more absurd. Vesper witnessed it later when we left. Both en route to the bathroom and coming back to the table, it was as if I had a 10-foot-radius field of hormonal impact. I received at least three times the normal eye contact from women.
The animal kingdom was alive and well in San Francisco.
Dinner ended immediately thereafter, and it was a short trip to her apartment on the 21st floor and our version of Enter the Dragon Enter the Dragon, complete with furniture smashing and most of the same sound effects.11 The next morning, after more of the same, I asked her, "Do you have a gong on the other side of your headboard?"
It turned out to be metal artwork hanging on the neighbor"s wall. After her second shower, and taking another look at my shoulder, Vesper had just one thing to say: "Whatever you"re doing-keep doing it."
The Death of the Metros.e.xual: Reclaiming Aggression Things hadn"t always been this way. In fact, for several years, things were quite the opposite.
Somewhere between late 2007 and 2009, at 3032 years old, I found myself in an odd place: able to perform in the bedroom as well as I had in college, but having less and less desire to do so.
Even with the most attractive of girls, after a week or two of rabbit love, s.e.x frequency would drop to once a day. Then it would drop to a few times a week or once a week. I enjoyed s.e.x as much as ever, once in the act, but fatigue or disinterest often led me to opt-out. "I"ll get to it in the morning" became a constant self-promise.
It made no sense.
I was young, athletic, and felt perfectly healthy. Then, looking under the hood, I ended up in the lower-range of "normal" for total testosterone in blood testing.
What was the problem?
POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUITS.
Testosterone is a molecule of many dependencies.
The hypothalamus hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which tells the releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which tells the pituitary pituitary (anterior pituitary) gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH then stimulates the Leydig cells in the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es to produce-ta-da- (anterior pituitary) gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH then stimulates the Leydig cells in the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es to produce-ta-da-testosterone.
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It is a major but rampant mistake to treat low testosterone with external testosterone in the form of a gel or injection12 without troubleshooting the upstream parts of the axis first. without troubleshooting the upstream parts of the axis first.
It"s also a mistake to think of low libido as strictly a low-testosterone problem.
In 2004, I experimented with a hormone and drug called human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly known as "hCG," which effectively acts as a form of luteinizing hormone. Injected once per week, it immediately had the effect of more than tripling seminal volume and requiring-requiring-e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n three to four times per day just to think straight. If you want to kill productivity, look no further than hCG. This inconvenience was compensated for by s.e.x with my girlfriend, which jumped from a few times a week to a few times a day. Happy days.
So just inject hCG and problem solved, right?
Not quite. Here"s the catch: repeated use of hCG can desensitize the testes to real luteinizing hormone.13 Then the testes can"t receive the signal to produce testosterone naturally. Big trouble. Then the testes can"t receive the signal to produce testosterone naturally. Big trouble.
This disqualifies hCG as a permanent solution, but it suggests that increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) increases s.e.x drive.
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[image]But, you might ask, couldn"t the s.e.x drive be due to more testosterone, since luteinizing hormone (and therefore hCG) stimulates its release in the flowchart? This is true, but I"d also used straight testosterone injections earlier in 2004 (as detailed in "The Last Mile"), which more than doubled testosterone levels but didn"t improve libido at all.
LH seems to do more.
LH also correlates perfectly with the heightened s.e.x drive experienced by women just prior to ovulation.14 [image]
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My Solution: Two Protocols I didn"t consume much red meat for my first increase from 244.8 to 653.3 ng/dL, and I believe this type of jump can be achieved without eating red meat at all. The meat marathon was actually for tracking changes in food allergies.
I now use two protocols that I believe are effective for increasing both testosterone and LH, based on repeated blood test results. Neither requires needles or prescription meds.
The first is for long-term maintenance and general well-being. The second is for short-term "nitro" boosts of s.e.x drive and testosterone. Sheer fun, in other words. The detailed rationales behind each can be found in "s.e.x Machine II" in the Appendices, but let"s start with the nutsh.e.l.l version.
PROTOCOL #1: LONG-TERM AND SUSTAINED.
Fermented cod liver oil + vitamin-rich b.u.t.ter fat-2 capsules upon waking and before bedVitamin D3-3,0005,000 IU upon waking and before bed (6,00010,000 IU per day), until you reach blood levels of 55 ng/mL.Short ice baths and/or cold showers-10 minutes each, upon waking and right before bedBrazil nuts-3 nuts upon waking, 3 nuts before bed (see important footnote).15 PROTOCOL #2: SHORT-TERM AND FUN "NITRO BOOST"
2024 Hours Prior to s.e.x Eat at least 800 milligrams of cholesterol (example: four or more large whole eggs or egg yolks) within three hours of bedtime, the night before before you want to have incredible s.e.x. The Wolverine intro to this chapter was partially thanks to two -pound rib-eye steaks the night before, but it"s easier to stomach hard-boiled eggs. Why before bed? Testosterone is derived from cholesterol, which is primarily produced at night during sleep (between midnight and 4:006:00 you want to have incredible s.e.x. The Wolverine intro to this chapter was partially thanks to two -pound rib-eye steaks the night before, but it"s easier to stomach hard-boiled eggs. Why before bed? Testosterone is derived from cholesterol, which is primarily produced at night during sleep (between midnight and 4:006:00 A.M A.M.).
Four Hours Prior to s.e.x 4 Brazil nuts20 raw almonds2 capsules of the above-mentioned fermented cod/b.u.t.ter combination [image]
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s.e.x-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is the party spoiler.
SHBG binds to testosterone16 and renders it inert for our purposes, and "total testosterone" in blood tests can therefore be misleading. Some vegans have been shown to have higher testosterone levels than both meat-eaters and vegetarians, for example, but higher levels of SHBG cancel out this advantage. In other studies, consumption of cholesterol has been shown to be inversely correlated with SHBG. In other words, the more cholesterol you eat, the less SHBG you have. and renders it inert for our purposes, and "total testosterone" in blood tests can therefore be misleading. Some vegans have been shown to have higher testosterone levels than both meat-eaters and vegetarians, for example, but higher levels of SHBG cancel out this advantage. In other studies, consumption of cholesterol has been shown to be inversely correlated with SHBG. In other words, the more cholesterol you eat, the less SHBG you have.
From Carruthers"s Androgen Deficiency in the Adult Male: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment: Androgen Deficiency in the Adult Male: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment:
Strict low cholesterol diets have been shown to lower total and free testosterone levels by 14%. Vegetarian diets, especially if low in protein, can increase SHBG, further reducing FT [free testosterone]. However, men put on a low-fat, high-fiber, vegetarian diet have a 18% reduction in both total testosterone and FT, which is reversed when they go back on a normal diet.... Conversely, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, such as the fashionable weight-reduction Atkins diet, may partly exert their slimming action by raising total testosterone and lowering SHBG.
SHBG isn"t evil, and we don"t want to eliminate it, but a little less SHBG equals a little more free testosterone. This isn"t evil either. It actually makes life much more interesting. This is the reason for our cholesterol-loading in Protocol 2.
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How Well Can It Work?
Here is a sample of before-and-after s.e.x hormone results from my first experiment (protocol 1), excluding Brazil nuts, which were added later: APRIL 3, 2009 (BEFORE) TO AUGUST 20, 2009 (AFTER).
Total testosterone: 244.8 to 653.3 (normal: 170780; it would later jump to 835, 835, more than tripling my original value, with the addition of Brazil nuts) more than tripling my original value, with the addition of Brazil nuts)Free testosterone: 56 to 118 (normal: 47244)Percentage free testosterone: 2.3% to 1.8%Bioavailable testosterone: 150 to 294 (normal: 128430) (normal: 128430)Alb.u.min: 5 to 4.6 (normal: 3.54.8)DHEA-S: 170.5 to 201.8FSH: 6 to 8.5 (normal: 1.2719.26)Estradiol: 39 to <20 (normal="" in="" males:=""><47) eager="" to="" give="" it="" a="">
This chapter is enough to get started, but the real magic happens when we finesse the details. Be sure to read "s.e.x Machine II: Details and Dangers" in the Appendices if you"re serious about kicking testosterone and s.e.x drive into overdrive.
TOOLS AND TRICKS.
SpectraCell Laboratories (www.fourhourbody.com/spectra) SpectraCell is the micronutrient testing lab allegedly used by Lance Armstrong. I uncovered my selenium deficiency through SpectraCell and used Brazil nuts, among other things, to correct it. To find local SpectraCell clinicians, go to: SpectraCell is the micronutrient testing lab allegedly used by Lance Armstrong. I uncovered my selenium deficiency through SpectraCell and used Brazil nuts, among other things, to correct it. To find local SpectraCell clinicians, go to: www.fourhourbody.com/spectra. More on this in "s.e.x Machine II."
Blue Ice b.u.t.ter Oil/Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend (www.fourhourbody.com/b.u.t.terblend) This is the cod/b.u.t.ter combination I used. Blue Ice is from a small manufacturer and production is limited. This is the cod/b.u.t.ter combination I used. Blue Ice is from a small manufacturer and production is limited.
Carlson Super 1000mg Cod Liver Oil (www.fourhourworkweek.com/cod) A decent subst.i.tute if the above is sold-out, but consume at the same time as the below. A decent subst.i.tute if the above is sold-out, but consume at the same time as the below.
Vitamin-Rich b.u.t.ter Fat: Kerrygold Irish b.u.t.ter (www.kerrygold.com/usa/locator.php) This site helps you find local stores where you can buy Kerrygold Irish b.u.t.ter. If you"d prefer to order online, check This site helps you find local stores where you can buy Kerrygold Irish b.u.t.ter. If you"d prefer to order online, check www.foodireland.com and click "Deli Counter" at the top of the screen. and click "Deli Counter" at the top of the screen.
ZRT At-Home Vitamin D Test Kits (www.fourhourbody.com/testd) If you spend a lot of your time indoors, there"s a good chance that you are deficient in vitamin D. Don"t just guess what amount of vitamin D you need, as overdosing will produce side effects. If you spend a lot of your time indoors, there"s a good chance that you are deficient in vitamin D. Don"t just guess what amount of vitamin D you need, as overdosing will produce side effects.
SpectraCell is a more reliable blood-based test, but ZRT"s saliva mail-in kit can give you an inexpensive estimate of your vitamin D levels. Once you"ve established your baseline, you can use sunlight, supplementation, and UV-B lamps to increase levels, following eight weeks of which you can perform an "after" test to track changes.
Vitamin D3 NOW Liquid Vitamin D3, 2 fl oz (www.fourhourbody.com/vitamin-d) UV-B/F Lamps Sperti Ultraviolet Systems (www.sperti.com) The KBD D/UV-F fluorescent lamp was developed in 2010 for individuals who can"t tolerate direct sunlight exposure or oral Vitamin D supplements.
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