Maca Root Explained: Energy, Desire and What Studies Show

Maca root extract is a concentrated form of maca, a root grown in the high Andes of Peru. In human trials, maca has been studied for sexual desire, mood and energy, and it is not a stimulant.

This guide covers what maca is, what the research shows, how much has been studied, who should check with a clinician first, and how we use maca root extract in Clarity Capsules.

Maca contains nutrients and a set of plant compounds whose amounts differ by root color (Clément et al., 2010).

• Macamides and macaenes: fatty acid compounds found in maca. In lab tests, several macamides blocked FAAH, the human enzyme that breaks down the endocannabinoid anandamide (Wu et al., 2013).
• Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: as a cruciferous plant, maca is rich in glucosinolates such as benzyl glucosinolate, with a higher glucosinolate content than many other cruciferous crops (Gonzales et al., 2005).
• Protein and minerals: dried maca is about 13 to 16 percent protein and rich in essential amino acids, and fresh maca has high amounts of iron and calcium (Gonzales, 2012).

Maca root extract concentrates these compounds into a smaller serving than maca eaten as food.

Maca has been eaten as a food in the Andes for centuries. These are the results from human trials.

1. Research in Women After Menopause

In a 6-week trial in women after menopause, maca improved scores for mood symptoms and sexual concerns, with no change in hormone levels (Brooks et al., 2008). If you use hormone therapy or have a hormone-sensitive condition, talk with your clinician before adding maca.

2. Energy and Mood

In a 12-week randomized trial in 175 adults living at low or high altitude, black and red maca extracts (3 g a day) improved self-rated energy, mood and health-related quality of life compared with placebo, and red maca did best for mood and energy (Gonzales-Arimborgo et al., 2016). In mice, black maca improved learning and memory (Rubio et al., 2007).

3. Sexual Desire and Semen Quality

In a 12-week trial in men aged 21 to 56, maca (1,500 or 3,000 mg a day) improved self-rated sexual desire from week 8, with no change in testosterone or estradiol (Gonzales et al., 2002). In a 12-week pilot in 20 men, sperm concentration and motility trended upward with 1.75 g a day of maca, and hormone levels did not change significantly (Melnikovova et al., 2015). In women after menopause, maca improved scores for sexual concerns (Brooks et al., 2008).

4. Exercise

In a small crossover study, 8 trained male cyclists took maca extract or placebo for 14 days. Their 40 km time trial times improved compared with their starting times, and their self-rated sexual desire improved compared with placebo (Stone et al., 2009).

5. Quality of Life

In the 175-adult trial, both black and red maca extracts improved health-related quality of life scores over 12 weeks compared with placebo, with no serious side effects (Gonzales-Arimborgo et al., 2016).

Maca has been eaten as a food in the Andes for centuries, and in a 12-week trial black and red maca extracts caused no serious side effects (Gonzales-Arimborgo et al., 2016). Still, thoughtful use and medical guidance matter, especially if you have underlying conditions or take prescription medications.

Common Side Effects

In the 175-adult trial, no one stopped taking maca because of a side effect. Side effects that are reported include gastrointestinal upset, bloating, or cramps, headache, feeling wired or trouble falling asleep if taken late in the day, mood changes or irritability, and shifts in menstrual cycle timing. Starting with a lower dose, taking maca with food, or choosing a gelatinized form may help.

Who Should Talk to a Clinician First

Some groups should check with a qualified healthcare professional before using maca: pregnant or nursing individuals (safety data are limited, so most clinicians advise avoiding use); people with hormone-sensitive conditions (a history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or prostate cancers, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids); people with thyroid disorders (maca is a cruciferous plant, so anyone with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or on thyroid medication should review use first); and individuals on blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or antidepressants, given the potential for interactions and lab-test interference (for example, testosterone assays).

Quality and Sourcing Considerations

Because supplements are not regulated as tightly as pharmaceuticals, product quality varies. To reduce risk, choose brands that provide third-party testing for identity, potency, and contaminants such as heavy metals, look for clear labeling of plant species (Lepidium meyenii), country of origin, and extraction method, and avoid aggressively marketed sex-boosting formulas that do not disclose full ingredient lists, since some have been found to contain undeclared prescription drugs. A high-quality maca root extract should clearly state the extract ratio, serving size, and suggested daily intake.