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Sex on Drugs and AlcoholTheir effects on the sexual function |
By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor
19th of May 2007, 16:06 GMT
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Many people consider drugs and alcohol as sexual stimulents and aphrodisiacs.
The can have a deep impact on sexuality, but the effects can be far from the desired ones.
Alcohol is employed to "loosen up" a bit. Of course, it removes inhibitions, easing the inter-personal contact. Alcohol gives people more (sometimes significantly more) guts to do what they desire, also being less aware of consequences.
Harvard researchers showed that frequent bingers engaged in unplanned sexual activity in 41 % of the cases compared to 8 % in non binge drinkers and they had unprotected sex in 22 % of the cases compared to 4 %.
Small amounts of alcohol can increase the blood flow (thus the sexual function too) but large amounts provoke erectile dysfunction (impotence) due to its action on arteries and veins and decreased libido, because it lowers testosterone levels.
Cannabis drugs (marijuana and hashish) have as main active chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has hallucinogenic, depressant, and stimulant
effects.
Cannabis is rumored to have aphrodisiac qualities, boosting the good mood and arousal and stimulating sexual activity. THC indeed increase mood and decrease inhibitions, like alcohol does, but effects on libido are variable. Some claim that it significantly increases sexual drive, but many experience opposite effects.
Smokers and their partners (who may not be smokers) also experience different sensations. Some say marijuana eases a more beautiful, spiritual connection. But others say that marijuana creates personal spaces and distances between partners. "It creates a separating, fuzzy, dreamlike quality that diffuses the reality of sex."
But claims that marijuana increases sexual climax are unfounded. Marijuana distorts the sense of time, so there may be an illusion of prolonged arousal and orgasm. But chronic cannabis smokers present low fertility (lower sperm counts) and women can have abnormal ovulation (but do not think that marijuana works as a contraceptive method, pregnancies can occur!...).
Marijuana was found to lower testosterone synthesis in men. And smoking marijuana during pregnancy is as damaging for the fetus as tobacco smoking is.
THC crosses the placental barrier, inducing pregnancy loss, birth defects, and impairment on the baby's growth and development.
Ecstasy, the "Love Drug," is said to increase closeness and communication, being regarded as an aphrodisiac, which is false. Ecstasy does increase sensations (touching, physical closeness etc.) but it decreases sexual pleasures. It reduces inhibitions, easing sexual encounters, but it also decreases sexual response. Both partners can experience lack of lubrication while under the effect of ecstasy.
Ecstasy also inhibits erections and orgasms for both genders. Some regard the delay of male orgasm as a good thing, as they can perform this way sexual marathons. Ecstasy consume is also linked to risky behaviors (multiple sex partners, unprotected sex etc.).
Antidepressant drugs have mixed effects on sexuality: the feeling of happiness increases people's libido, but these drugs also induce decreased sexual desire (libido) and trouble achieving orgasm, both in men and women. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors like Prozac (Fluoxetine), Paxil, and Zoloft (Sertraline)) increase serotonin levels in the brain, which provokes sexual dysfunction in at least 73 % of the cases.
TCAs - Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) - block neurotransmitters and boost their local concentration. Zyban or Wellbutrin (Bupropion) not only have slight side effects related to sexual satisfaction, but they can fix side effects induced by other medications.
MAOIs, that decrease the breakdown of norepinephrine and serotonin, induce sexual dysfunction, but not as severely as the SSRIs do, and they can provoke birth defects in the case of pregnant women.
A recent research at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center revealed that the antidepressants' effects can be reduced by the ginkgo extract: with up to 91 % in the case of women and 76% for men.
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