| Sexual Health |
What is an Aphrodisiac?
An Aphrodisiac is a substance that is believed to arouse sexual desire or improve sexual performance. It can be a food, drink,
scent, drug or anything that works to provoke sexual arousal. Aphrodisiacs are common in every culture and belief in their
power dates back centuries. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite , the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty.
What are some of these Aphrodisiacs?
The Oyster has a reputation in many cultures as an Aphrodisiac. Some people believe that oysters are stimulating because
they resemble female genitalia, or because their aroma نكهة has a pungency reminiscent of some sexual activities. Oysters are
high in zinc, a necessary building block for testosterone. And they are a high protein food that won’t weigh you down if you
are looking forward to an evening of romantic activity. It is purported that the great lover, Casanova, ate oysters each
morning for breakfast. Aphrodite was born from the sea, so many types of seafood have reputations as aphrodisiacs.
Rhinoceros horn has been highly prized as an aphrodisiac for years. Because rhino horns have the same shape as an erect
penis, they are a symbol of sexual power in many cultures. At work is the Doctrine of Signatures , an ancient belief that if
humans consumed certain animal parts, the characteristic of that part were bestowed upon the person. The word "horny"
comes from the belief that when ingested in a powdered form, the horns of an animal like the Rhino’s create sexual desire
and virility. Slaughtered for the "magical" power of their horns, black rhinos are an endangered specie.
Chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac. Serious study of chocolate shows that it contains Phenylethylamine or PEA, a
psychostimulating chemical that is found in the bloodstream at higher levels in people who are "in love". Chocolate
stimulates endorphin secretion which promotes an opiate like effect on the body. Even green M&Ms (as opposed to any other
color) are supposed to induce sexual desire.
Alcohol is used frequently to loosen the inhibition toward sexual activity. Sadly, as Shakespeare noted in Macbeth, "it
provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." In moderate quantities alcohol will reduce anxiety but its sedative
effects are sure to dim the flames of a passionate encounter, if not the memory of it altogether.
Do Aphrodisiacs really work?
Many people are marketing aphrodisiacs over the Internet that boast incredible claims of sexual arousal and enhancement.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is no scientific proof that any over- the-counter aphrodisiacs works to
treat sexual dysfunction. Belief in the ability of a substance to have an aphrodisiac like effect may, for a short time, create a
perception of enhanced sexual ability, a sort of placebo effect. The physiological, psychological, emotional and cognitive
components of sexual arousal and performance are highly complex. These different aspects are being studied to help us
have a better understanding and more control over our sexual responses. While there are new drug therapies on the market to
help with dysfunction, at this time there are no simple, quick fixes to most sexual problems.
Are Aphrodisiacs safe?
Most food substances considered to be aphrodisiacs are harmless. However, there are several drugs, bugs, animals,
chemicals and herbal substances that can have deadly effects. Some things to stay away from:
**Spanish Fly - it is a legendary aphrodisiac that is actually poisonous. Also called Cantharidin, it causes burning in the mouth
and throat, vomiting, severe swelling of urinary and genital organs, internal hemorrhaging, painful erections, painful urination,
blood in the urine. It comes in powdered form and is made from a beetle, not a fly. It can be lethal and will definitely make a
person very ill, not amorous.
**Amyl Nitrite - this drug, which is inhaled, is believed to intensify or prolong the sensation of orgasms. Butyl nitrite and
propyl nitrite are also used for the same purpose. There is no scientific data to show an aphrodisiac effect. These "poppers"
produce dizziness, headaches, fainting, destroy red blood platelets, and alter blood hemoglobin so that it no longer carries
oxygen.
**Yohimbine - a drug which is prescribed by physicians for the treatment of impotence, it has been used in veterinary
medicine for the treatment of impotent breeding animals. As a street drug it is called "yo-yo" and has serious side effects for
excessive doses, such as headache, nausea, palpitations, sweating, chest pain, and hypertension.
**Chan Su - a traditional Chinese medication used as a topical anesthetic. It is made from the skin of a toad which contains
cardiac steroids. As a street drug it has been sold under names like "stone" and "rock hard". Four deaths have been reported
between 1993-95 from ingesting this drug. It causes cardiac dysrythmia.
**Cocaine - purported to have aphrodisiac qualities derived from elevated levels of dopamine in the brain of the user. Cocaine
actually decreases sexual desire with prolonged use, and in laboratory studies, animals chose cocaine rather than
copulation. Studies of crack users show that crack did not make them want sex, and many had a high level of sexual
dysfunction.
An Aphrodisiac is a substance that is believed to arouse sexual desire or improve sexual performance. It can be a food, drink,
scent, drug or anything that works to provoke sexual arousal. Aphrodisiacs are common in every culture and belief in their
power dates back centuries. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite , the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty.
What are some of these Aphrodisiacs?
The Oyster has a reputation in many cultures as an Aphrodisiac. Some people believe that oysters are stimulating because
they resemble female genitalia, or because their aroma نكهة has a pungency reminiscent of some sexual activities. Oysters are
high in zinc, a necessary building block for testosterone. And they are a high protein food that won’t weigh you down if you
are looking forward to an evening of romantic activity. It is purported that the great lover, Casanova, ate oysters each
morning for breakfast. Aphrodite was born from the sea, so many types of seafood have reputations as aphrodisiacs.
Rhinoceros horn has been highly prized as an aphrodisiac for years. Because rhino horns have the same shape as an erect
penis, they are a symbol of sexual power in many cultures. At work is the Doctrine of Signatures , an ancient belief that if
humans consumed certain animal parts, the characteristic of that part were bestowed upon the person. The word "horny"
comes from the belief that when ingested in a powdered form, the horns of an animal like the Rhino’s create sexual desire
and virility. Slaughtered for the "magical" power of their horns, black rhinos are an endangered specie.
Chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac. Serious study of chocolate shows that it contains Phenylethylamine or PEA, a
psychostimulating chemical that is found in the bloodstream at higher levels in people who are "in love". Chocolate
stimulates endorphin secretion which promotes an opiate like effect on the body. Even green M&Ms (as opposed to any other
color) are supposed to induce sexual desire.
Alcohol is used frequently to loosen the inhibition toward sexual activity. Sadly, as Shakespeare noted in Macbeth, "it
provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." In moderate quantities alcohol will reduce anxiety but its sedative
effects are sure to dim the flames of a passionate encounter, if not the memory of it altogether.
Do Aphrodisiacs really work?
Many people are marketing aphrodisiacs over the Internet that boast incredible claims of sexual arousal and enhancement.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is no scientific proof that any over- the-counter aphrodisiacs works to
treat sexual dysfunction. Belief in the ability of a substance to have an aphrodisiac like effect may, for a short time, create a
perception of enhanced sexual ability, a sort of placebo effect. The physiological, psychological, emotional and cognitive
components of sexual arousal and performance are highly complex. These different aspects are being studied to help us
have a better understanding and more control over our sexual responses. While there are new drug therapies on the market to
help with dysfunction, at this time there are no simple, quick fixes to most sexual problems.
Are Aphrodisiacs safe?
Most food substances considered to be aphrodisiacs are harmless. However, there are several drugs, bugs, animals,
chemicals and herbal substances that can have deadly effects. Some things to stay away from:
**Spanish Fly - it is a legendary aphrodisiac that is actually poisonous. Also called Cantharidin, it causes burning in the mouth
and throat, vomiting, severe swelling of urinary and genital organs, internal hemorrhaging, painful erections, painful urination,
blood in the urine. It comes in powdered form and is made from a beetle, not a fly. It can be lethal and will definitely make a
person very ill, not amorous.
**Amyl Nitrite - this drug, which is inhaled, is believed to intensify or prolong the sensation of orgasms. Butyl nitrite and
propyl nitrite are also used for the same purpose. There is no scientific data to show an aphrodisiac effect. These "poppers"
produce dizziness, headaches, fainting, destroy red blood platelets, and alter blood hemoglobin so that it no longer carries
oxygen.
**Yohimbine - a drug which is prescribed by physicians for the treatment of impotence, it has been used in veterinary
medicine for the treatment of impotent breeding animals. As a street drug it is called "yo-yo" and has serious side effects for
excessive doses, such as headache, nausea, palpitations, sweating, chest pain, and hypertension.
**Chan Su - a traditional Chinese medication used as a topical anesthetic. It is made from the skin of a toad which contains
cardiac steroids. As a street drug it has been sold under names like "stone" and "rock hard". Four deaths have been reported
between 1993-95 from ingesting this drug. It causes cardiac dysrythmia.
**Cocaine - purported to have aphrodisiac qualities derived from elevated levels of dopamine in the brain of the user. Cocaine
actually decreases sexual desire with prolonged use, and in laboratory studies, animals chose cocaine rather than
copulation. Studies of crack users show that crack did not make them want sex, and many had a high level of sexual
dysfunction.
Aphrodisiacs
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |