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.
Are
Oysters Really an Aphrodisiac?
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
and Sex
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.
Sex
and Drugs
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.
Sex
and Herbs
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.