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Aphrodisiacs
Aphrodisiacs are substances that arouse sexual desire or
enhance sexual performance. For many centuries there has been a search
for substances that could increase a person's sexual powers or desire.
Among the many substances that have been claimed to have such an effect
are oysters, ginseng root, powdered rhinoceros horn, animal testicles,
and turtles' eggs. There is no evidence that an actual aphrodisiac
response occurs with these or any other substances.
Just how certain foods or
other substances come to be seen as aphrodisiacs is typically a matter
of folklore rather than fact. In some cases the newness or rarity of a
food or chemical invite people to endow it with magical powers of a
sexual nature. In other instances, sexual strength is assumed to come
from eating foods resembling a sex organ, such as bananas and oysters
because of their vague resemblance to the penis and testicles. While the
notion that the shape of an unrelated object should qualify it as an
aphrodisiac seems absurd to most, people continue to view some foods as
aphrodisiacs. In the case of oysters, probably the classic among the
alleged aphrodisiacs, chemical analysis shows that it consists of water,
protein and carbohydrates, plus small amounts of fat, sugar and
minerals. None of these components is in any way known to affect sex
drive or performance. The psychological impact of believing that
oysters, raw bull's testicles ("prairie oysters", as they are
called), clams, celery, or tomatoes are aphrodisiacs is sometimes strong
enough to produce, at least temporarily, greater sexual desire or
performance. The experience of enhanced arousal or performance is then
falsely attributed to the wonder food, and this discovery is passed on
to the next person wishing to experience new heights of sexual
experience.
Eating certain foods to
increase sexual power, while ineffective, is generally harmless. Other
supposed aphrodisiacs, however, are not so innocuous. Spanish fly
(cantharides) is one such substance. It is made from a beetle found in
southern Europe. The insects are dried and heated until they
disintegrate into a fine powder. When taken internally the substance
causes irritation of the bladder and urethra, accompanied by a swelling
of associated blood vessels, all of which produce a certain stimulation
of the genitals that is interpreted by some men as a sign of lust. The
drug can cause an erection, but usually without an increase in sexual
desire. Furthermore, if taken in excessive amounts, it can cause violent
illness and even death.
Alcohol is another
substance that most people believe increases their sexual
responsiveness. This is partly because alcohol has a disinhibiting
effect -- it lowers the sexual inhibitions a person may ordinarily have,
thus allowing sexual desire to emerge. Alcohol's reputation as an
aphrodisiac also stems from advertising and cultural myths. Television,
radio and print ads often pair exciting sexual undertones with the brand
of alcohol being advertised, suggesting to consumers that alcohol will
help them create such sexually charged moments. Cultural myths, often
propagated among high school and college-aged drinkers, suggest that
alcohol will ease the way for sexual encounters to occur. Furthermore,
the myths promise that, once underway, sexual experiences will exceed
normal performance levels, thanks to the presence of alcohol. The fact
is that alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, physically
inhibiting the sexual response, including the capacity for erection and
orgasm.
A number of illicit
drugs, including LSD, heroin and morphine, cocaine and amphetamines, and
marijuana have been claimed to increase sexual responsiveness and
enhance the sexual experience. Like alcohol, these drugs break down
inhibitions and act as sexual facilitators in a social sense, but these
drugs are addictive and ultimately have the opposite effect on
sexuality, and cause an array of other very serious problems.
A drug that is commonly
believed not so much to increase the sex drive as to intensify or
prolong the sensation of orgasm is amyl nitrate (snappers or poppers).
Some people report that inhaling the drug at the instant of orgasm
enhances the pleasure of the experience. This is particularly popular
among homosexual men. Valid scientific data of its effectiveness as an
aphrodisiac are lacking, and its side effects (dizziness, headaches,
fainting) are known to be dangerous.
Yohimbine is a substance
derived from the bark of the African yohimbe tree that has been reputed
to have sexually stimulating properties for men. Studies of yohimbine
have found that it has a tendency to enhance erectile functioning
relative to placebo in men with erectile difficulties. There have not
been consistent reports of yohimbine enhancing sexual desire or arousal.
It is more likely to be used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction
than as a true aphrodisiac.
Though not generally
considered an aphrodisiac, testosterone supplements do affect sexual
drive and can be used effectively in some cases of inhibited desire when
endogenous levels of testosterone are extremely low. There are, however,
negative side effects (especially for women), and such supplements
should only be used under a doctor's supervision.
Certainly, it seems
reasonable to speculate that various chemicals and other substances
might influence the centers of the brain that control sexual response.
To date, however, about the only effects that drugs appear to have on
sexual behavior are inhibitory rather than enhancing, and most foods
believed to be aphrodisiacs have no physical effect at all. It would
appear that most claims about aphrodisiacs are based on myth rather than
scientific evidence, making their continued use more a statement about
the desperate search for remedies than a tribute to their effectiveness. |
Sex
