Drugs are frequently associated with reduced sexual inhibition, both when used voluntarily in social circumstances, and involuntarily, as in the case of some
date rape drugs. Because the use of drugs, including
alcohol, is commonly presented as an excuse for risky or socially unacceptable behavior, it is necessary to treat the idea of a direct causal relation between drug use and
unsafe sex with caution. Drugs may provide a socially acceptable excuse for engaging in sexual behaviors in which people may want to engage but perhaps feel that they should not.[1]
Sexual function
Some forms of sexual dysfunction such as
erectile dysfunction can be treated with drugs. Because of their effects, erectile dysfunction drugs are sometimes used for recreational purposes. Many drugs, both legal and illegal, some sold online, have side effects that affect the user's sexual function. Many drugs can cause
loss of libido as a side effect.[2]
According to some studies, up to 22.1% of teenagers abused substances during their most recent sexual experience.[4]
Likewise, studies have shown adolescents who regularly abuse substances are more likely to initiate sexual activity at an earlier age,[5] have a more significant number of sexual partners,[6] and engage in unprotected sex more often.[7]
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance.[9][10] Studies on
cannabis and sex have shown that THC has been linked to improved sexual desire and function. Specifically, in one study, 70 percent of users said marijuana was an
aphrodisiac, and 81 percent said it improved their sexual pleasure and satisfaction.[11]
Other research has found that long-term marijuana use lowers testosterone levels and other reproductive hormones, causing erectile dysfunction in males.[12][13]
Alcohol
Alcohol inhibits neuronal excitability through acting on
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.[14] Alcohol is often accessible in a number of social situations across many cultures and is frequently connected with uninhibited social activities. Alcohol has been shown in human research to have surprising effects on the human libido.
While some studies indicates that alcohol improves sexual behavior and desire, other research indicates that alcohol impairs sexual function.
The conditions under which the drinking occurs, laboratory research vs self-report studies from users, as well as the amounts of alcohol consumed, may all contribute to these controversial outcomes.[15][16]
Laboratory studies have demonstrated that while low blood alcohol levels have no effect on or slightly enhance sexual arousal and responsiveness in men, elevated blood alcohol levels result in decreased erectile responsiveness, decreased arousal, and impaired ability to ejaculate.[15][16] Other laboratory research, on the other hand, found no significant influence of either low or high blood alcohol levels on measures of arousal.[17]
Even with mild alcohol use, women have decreased vaginal flow responses. In apparent contrast, women self-report heightened sexual desire and pleasure when they consume more alcohol and are more likely to engage in sexual activities with someone when intoxicated.[16]
Heavy alcohol intake impairs sexual and reproductive function, erectile, and ejaculatory dysfunction in males, and sexual arousal, interest, and orgasm in women.[15][18]
Alcohol and sex although alcohol may have varying impacts on sexual performance depending on the amount drank, it generally impairs sexual functioning and contributes to increased sexual risk taking.[19][20]
Cocaine
Cocaine is a potent
psycho-stimulant that boosts dopamine levels by inhibiting dopamine transporters. It has been often linked to enhanced libido and risk-taking behavior in humans.[21]
Cocaine has been observed to increase sexual arousal or to trigger spontaneous erections and orgasms.[22]
In contrast, other data has shown that persistent cocaine use impairs sexual desire and the capacity of both men and females to achieve orgasm.[16]
MDMA
MDMA or "ecstasy" originally gained popularity in the 1980s among college students. According to a survey conducted, 10% of college students at a big US institution reported using
MDMA, with alcohol and marijuana being the most often used substances.[23]MDMA users report increased enjoyment in physical contact and proximity rather than a
sexual experience.[24][25]MDMA has been shown to impair sexual performance, including erectile dysfunction and
delayed orgasm,[26][27] as well as to suppress
sex desire.[28][29][30]
2C-B
2C-B was first sold commercially in 5 mg pills as a purported aphrodisiac under the trade name "Erox", which was manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Drittewelle.[31] While being primarily a
psychedelic it is also a mild
entactogen.
5-MeO-MiPT is another psychedelic that some users find to be euphoric and tactile in low to moderate doses of 4-8 milligrams.[32]
Antidepressants
Psychiatrists and doctors commonly prescribe different types of antidepressants to patients.
SSRIs,
SNRIs, and
NDRIs are the most common types of antidepressants.[33] Each has slightly different effects on sexual functioning, but generally, it has been found that antidepressants can delay/decrease orgasms and cause females to have
breast enlargement.[34]Dapoxetine in particular takes advantage of the side effect of delayed orgasm and is approved specifically as a medication for the treatment of
premature ejaculation rather than as an antidepressant.
The side effects on sexual functioning can impact mental health and quality of life.[34] However, the decrease in depressive symptoms from antidepressants make it worth the sexual side effects for many people. They can be managed by changing the dose, switching drugs, or taking “antidotes”.[35]Maca, a plant that grows in central Peru, aids with sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressant drugs for women. There are specific Maca products that can also increase sexual desire in men.[citation needed]
A
date rape drug is any drug that is an
incapacitating agent which—when administered to another person—incapacitates the person and renders them vulnerable to a
drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA), including
rape. One of the most common types of DFSA are those in which a victim consumes a recreational drug such as
alcohol that was administered surreptitiously.[39] The other most common form of DFSA involves the non-surreptitiously administered consumption of alcohol.[40] Here, the victims in these cases are drinking voluntarily which then makes them unable to make informed decisions or give consent.
Drug-based contraception has been available since the development of the
contraceptive pill. As well as their contraceptive effects, contraceptive drugs can also have adverse sexual and reproductive side-effects. Prior to the availability of effective contraceptives, some substances were also used as
abortifacients to terminate pregnancy;
medical abortion exists as a modern medical practice.
^
abKrüger TH, Haake P, Haverkamp J, Krämer M, Exton MS, Saller B, et al. (December 2003). "Effects of acute prolactin manipulation on sexual drive and function in males". The Journal of Endocrinology. 179 (3): 357–65.
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PMID14656205.