Aphrodisiac

An aphrodisiac is a substance that can be administered topically, internally, by injection, orby inhalation to stimulate sexual arousal or to enhance sexual performance. The term is based on Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, and it came into the English language during the early 1800s. Although no solid scientific evidence exists forany substances that have selective effect on sexual function, many foods and food combinations have a long-standing reputation as aphrodisiacs—such as oysters, caviar, champagne, and truffles (a subterranean fungus uprooted by pigs in the oak forests of France).

Alcoholic drinks have also been considered to be an aphrodisiac, since sexual behavior often occurs after "cocktails," during or after parties, or during periods of alcohol intoxication—but only if not too much alcohol has been consumed. Objective measurements have demonstrated that ALCOHOL (a depressant) actually decreases sexual responsiveness in both men and women. This paradoxical effect was best expressed about 1605 by William Shakespeare in Macbeth, act 2, scene 3:

MACDUFF: What three things does drink especially provoke?

PORTER: Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance….

Since the 1980s, COCAINE has gained popularity as a potential aphrodisiac, since its use purportedly enhances the sexual experience; MARIJUANA and AMYL NITRITE have had this reputation, in general, since the 1960s. Nevertheless, chronic cocaine users, like chronic heroin users, often report a loss of sexual interest and capability; therefore no rationale exists for the use of alcohol orotherdrugs as sexual stimulants. Quite the contrary, the use of these substances can lead to a loss of sexual desire and excitement and the development of a physical and/orpsychological dependence.

A prescription drug—yohimbine, derived from the African yohimbe tree—seems to help cure some men of impotence. The data suggest that it may work as a placebo (psychologically), but urologists prescribe it nonetheless in the hope that the patient can avoid more invasive treatments. The treatment takes three to six months before there is an effect, and the natural form (available in health-food stores), is not the form used therapeutically.

CHITWOOD, D. D. (1985). Patterns and consequences of cocaine use. In Cocaine use in America: Epidemiologic and clinical perspectives. NIDA Research Monograph No. 61, DHHS Publication no. (ADM) 85-1414. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

ROOT, W. (1980). Food: An authoritative and visual history and dictionary of the foods of the world. New York: Simon & Schuster.

WILSON, G. T. (1977). Alcohol and human sexual behavior. Behavioral Research and Therapy, 15, 239-252.

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