Studying Aphrodisiacs

research shoes that letting go of anxiety and fear is necessary to have an orgasm. These parts of the brain diminish when clitoral stimulation happens. When these areas are shut down, an orgasm can more easily happen. Similar brain activity with orgasms is seen in males as well. The pleasure centers of the brain are turned on to a greater degree in men and the emotional centers are deactivated to a lesser degree in men compared to women.

Orgasms as a whole are considered healthy. A study in middle-aged men showed that having more orgasms was associated with a decreased rate of all-cause death. There is a reduction in heart disease in men who have sex more than three times a week. Some men, on the other hand, will have post-orgasmic illness syndrome, which is muscle pain lasting up to a week after ejaculation.

The resolution phase follows an orgasm as the body returns to having normal vital signs. The refractory period is part of this phase. Men, as mentioned, cannot generally be sexually aroused in the refractory period. Women probably do have a refractory period but it is generally shorter than in men. Because of differences between men and women, Masters and Johnson’s model better applies to men than it does to women.

STUDYING APHRODISIACS

An aphrodisiac is a drug or substance that increases the sex drive. These are different from drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. The opposite of an aphrodisiac is an anaphrodisiac. It is difficult to study an aphrodisiac drug because of a high incidence of the placebo effect. Common substances that have been believed to be an aphrodisiac that do not have proof of this property is Spanish fly, yohimbine, bufo toad, and mad honey. Certain foods, like raw oysters, strawberries, honey, chocolate, and coffee, do not really have an effect.

Of the known drugs felt to be aphrodisiacs, only testosterone and phenethylamines, such as methamphetamine and amphetamine, have been found to be successful. Testosterone seems to work only in those who have known low testosterone levels and amphetamines or methamphetamine will also have an effect but only in some people and only if the drug is given in high doses.

There are considered to be three types of aphrodisiacs. There are those that enhance sexual pleasure, those that increase potency, and those that improve libido. There are both animal and plant substances used throughout the world as aphrodisiacs. Most have not been well-studied.

There are drugs and natural substances used to treat erectile dysfunction or ED, which will be covered more in a later chapter. It can be due to vascular causes, nerve damage, or psychological factors. Vascular causes are believed to play the greatest role in having ED. The drugs available do not work all the time, cannot be used in certain circumstances, and have side effects. There are many types of herbal supplements that are sometimes used instead.

Chlorophytum borivilianum is the scientific name of the roots of a plant known as safed musli. It is believed to enhance male potency. It has been studied on animals, with an increase in sexual behavior seen in laboratory rats who took the supplement. It was believed that the drug has testosterone-like effects. It was also found to enhance libido and sexual arousal in rats in a dose-dependent fashion. From these studies, it has been suggested that the same thing might be true for men and women who use it.

Mondia whitei is another herbal substance for libido and low sperm count. It was studied on sperm samples, showing improved sperm motility so it is suggested to be used for men who have sluggish sperm. It is also believed to enhance libido and sexual desire but it has not been adequately studied in humans for this purpose.

Tribulus terrestris is a plant substance found in warm and tropical areas. It has been studied in animals and humans; it has been found to enhance libido and improve spermatogenesis. A recent study, however, showed it was not an androgen substance but that it does increase the testosterone and other androgen levels in test subjects. Research studies on rats show an increase in sexual behavior and potency.

Crocus sativus is known as saffron and is made in Greece, India, and Iran. It is recommended in alternative medical circles as an aphrodisiac and increases sexual behavior in male rats. A randomized study, however, was done on the herb and compared it to traditional ED drugs. It was not shown to be beneficial.

Nutmeg has been studied in rats, showing increased mating performance. Date palm is used in the Middle East to treat male infertility and has been studied in rats. Maca is a Peruvian plant that has shown increased sexual activity in male rats. It does enhance sexual desire in human males but does not directly affect testosterone levels. Eurycoma longifolia is a Southeast Asian plant that is felt to have an aphrodisiac effect on male rats. Panax ginseng is believed to increase nitric oxide release in rabbits, potentially making it effective against erectile dysfunction.

The takeaway from aphrodisiac studies of herbal supplements as aphrodisiacs is that most of the research has been done on laboratory animals and not on humans. There are no long-term studies looking at the safety and effectiveness of these substances in humans. There is a high chance of a placebo effect so any study done on humans requires a placebo-controlled study with clear endpoints in order to see if they work in humans at all.