From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sex and drugs date back to ancient humans and have been interlocked throughout human history. Both legal and illegal, the consumption of drugs and their effects on the human body encompasses all aspects of sex, including desire, performance, pleasure, conception, gestation, and disease.

There are many different types of drugs that are commonly associated with their effects on sex, including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, GHB, amphetamines, opioids, antidepressants, and many others.

Disinhibition

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]

Since a partial cause of the refractory period is the inhibition of dopamine by an orgasm-induced secretion of prolactin, [3] such potent dopamine receptor agonists as cabergoline may help achieve multiple orgasms as well as the retention of sexual arousal for longer periods of time. [3]

Sexual activity, drug use, and risks

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]

Additionally, substance abuse has been linked to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). [8]

Types of drugs and effects

Cannabis

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]

Opioids

Opioids (also known as narcotics) such as morphine and heroin attach to opioid receptors in the brain. These substances have long been known to inhibit sexual behavior. [36]

Similar to the effects of psycho-stimulants, both men and women who use heroin report engaging in high-risk sexual practices.

Subjects typically report having several sexual partners, using condoms seldom or not at all, and having a high frequency of STI diagnosis. [37]

While small doses of heroin may enhance sexual desire and performance, [38] chronic opiate use, including methadone and buprenorphine, synthetic and semi-synthetic opiates prescribed for opiate addiction treatment, results in decreased sexual desire, response, and orgasms for both men and women, as well as erectile, ejaculatory dysfunction, and vaginismus. [22] [38] [16]

Amphetamines

Amphetamines may lead to an increase in sexual drive and delay in orgasm. [13]

Date rape drugs

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.

Society and culture

Chemsex

Party and play, or chemsex, is the consumption of drugs to facilitate sexual activity. Sociologically, both terms refer to a subculture of recreational drug users who engage in high-risk sexual activities under the influence of drugs within groups. [41] The term PnP is commonly used by gay men [41][ failed verification] and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in North America, while chemsex is more associated with the gay scene in Europe. [42] The drug of choice is typically methamphetamine, known as tina or T, [43] but other drugs are also used, such as mephedrone, GHB, GBL [44] and alkyl nitrites (known as poppers). [45]

Contraception and abortion

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ Race K (2009). Pleasure Consuming Medicine: The Queer Politics of Drugs. Duke University Press. p. 176. ISBN  978-0822390886.
  2. ^ Hoffman JR, Ratamess NA (2006). "Medical issues associated with anabolic steroid use: are they exaggerated?". Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 5 (2): 182–93. PMC  3827559. PMID  24259990.
  3. ^ a b Krüger 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. CiteSeerX  10.1.1.484.4005. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1790357. PMID  14656205.
  4. ^ Kann, Laura; McManus, Tim; Harris, William A.; Shanklin, Shari L.; Flint, Katherine H.; Hawkins, Joseph; Queen, Barbara; Lowry, Richard; Olsen, Emily O’Malley; Chyen, David; Whittle, Lisa (2016-06-10). "Youth Risk Behavior SurveillanceUnited States, 2015". MMWR. Surveillance Summaries. 65 (6): 1–174. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.ss6506a1. ISSN  1546-0738. PMID  27280474.
  5. ^ Madkour, Aubrey S.; Farhat, Tilda; Halpern, Carolyn T.; Godeau, Emmanuelle; Gabhainn, Saoirse N. (October 2010). "Early Adolescent Sexual Initiation as a Problem Behavior: A Comparative Study of Five Nations". Journal of Adolescent Health. 47 (4): 389–398. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.02.008. ISSN  1054-139X. PMC  2945604. PMID  20864009.
  6. ^ Connell, Christian M.; Gilreath, Tamika D.; Hansen, Nathan B. (November 2009). "A Multiprocess Latent Class Analysis of the Co-Occurrence of Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Adolescents". Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 70 (6): 943–951. doi: 10.15288/jsad.2009.70.943. ISSN  1937-1888. PMC  2776124. PMID  19895772.
  7. ^ Tucker, Joan S.; Ryan, Gery W.; Golinelli, Daniela; Ewing, Brett; Wenzel, Suzanne L.; Kennedy, David P.; Green, Harold D.; Zhou, Annie (2011-08-17). "Substance Use and Other Risk Factors for Unprotected Sex: Results from an Event-Based Study of Homeless Youth". AIDS and Behavior. 16 (6): 1699–1707. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-0017-9. ISSN  1090-7165. PMC  3244544. PMID  21932093.
  8. ^ Baker, R. R.; Dowdall, M. J.; Whittaker, V. P. (1975-12-26). "The involvement of lysophosphoglycerides in neurotransmitter release; the composition and turnover of phospholipids of synaptic vesicles of guinea-pig cerebral cortex and Torpedo electric organ and the effect of stimulation". Brain Research. 100 (3): 629–644. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(75)90162-6. ISSN  0006-8993. PMID  129. S2CID  13958251.
  9. ^ Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "Most Commonly Used Addictive Drugs". National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  10. ^ Volkow, Nora D. (2005). "NIDA Intensifies Focus on Marijuana Abuse". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi: 10.1037/e414792005-007. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  11. ^ Halikas, James; Weller, Ronald; Morse, Carolyn (January 1982). "Effects of Regular Marijuana Use on Sexual Performance". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 14 (1–2): 59–70. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1982.10471911. ISSN  0279-1072. PMID  6981694.
  12. ^ "Substance Abuse". JAMA. 279 (10): 802. 1998-03-11. doi: 10.1001/jama.279.10.802-jbk0311-4-1. ISSN  0098-7484.
  13. ^ a b Ghadigaonkar DS, Murthy P (2019-04-01). "Sexual Dysfunction in Persons With Substance Use Disorders". Journal of Psychosexual Health. 1 (2): 117–121. doi: 10.1177/2631831819849365.
  14. ^ Kumar, Sandeep; Porcu, Patrizia; Werner, David F.; Matthews, Douglas B.; Diaz-Granados, Jaime L.; Helfand, Rebecca S.; Morrow, A. Leslie (September 2009). "The role of GABAA receptors in the acute and chronic effects of ethanol: a decade of progress". Psychopharmacology. 205 (4): 529–564. doi: 10.1007/s00213-009-1562-z. ISSN  0033-3158. PMC  2814770. PMID  19455309.
  15. ^ a b c Crowe, Leif C.; George, William H. (1989). "Alcohol and human sexuality: Review and integration". Psychological Bulletin. 105 (3): 374–386. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.105.3.374. ISSN  1939-1455. PMID  2660179.
  16. ^ a b c d e Peugh, Jordon; Belenko, Steven (September 2001). "Alcohol, Drugs and Sexual Function: A Review". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 33 (3): 223–232. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2001.10400569. ISSN  0279-1072. PMID  11718315. S2CID  27215932.
  17. ^ George, William H.; Davis, Kelly Cue; Norris, Jeanette; Heiman, Julia R.; Schacht, Rebecca L.; Stoner, Susan A.; Kajumulo, Kelly F. (2006). "Alcohol and erectile response: The effects of high dosage in the context of demands to maximize sexual arousal". Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 14 (4): 461–470. doi: 10.1037/1064-1297.14.4.461. hdl: 11603/18761. ISSN  1936-2293. PMC  3164266. PMID  17115874.
  18. ^ Manis, Emily (2023-07-01). "Women who drink alcohol have an increased risk of sexual dysfunction". Psypost - Psychology News. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  19. ^ Cheng JY, Ng EM, Chen RY, Ko JS (2007-05-31). "Alcohol consumption and erectile dysfunction: meta-analysis of population-based studies". International Journal of Impotence Research. 19 (4): 343–52. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901556. PMID  17538641.
  20. ^ Romer D (2003). Reducing Adolescent Risk: Toward an Integrated Approach. SAGE Publications. ISBN  9781452264462. OCLC  809772621.
  21. ^ Rawson, Richard A; Washton, Arnold; Domier, Catherine P; Reiber, Chris (March 2002). "Drugs and sexual effects: role of drug type and gender". Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 22 (2): 103–108. doi: 10.1016/s0740-5472(01)00215-x. ISSN  0740-5472. PMID  11932136.
  22. ^ a b Buffum, John (January 1982). "Pharmacosexology: The Effects of Drugs on Sexual Function – A Review". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 14 (1–2): 5–44. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1982.10471907. ISSN  0279-1072. PMID  6126532.
  23. ^ Boyd, Carol J.; McCabe, Sean Esteban; d'Arcy, Hannah (April 2003). "Ecstasy use among college undergraduates: gender, race and sexual identity". Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 24 (3): 209–215. doi: 10.1016/s0740-5472(03)00025-4. ISSN  0740-5472. PMID  12810141.
  24. ^ Adler, Patricia A.; Adler, Peter; Beck, Jerome; Rosenbaum, Marsha (January 1995). "Pursuit of Ecstasy: The MDMA Experience". Contemporary Sociology. 24 (1): 96. doi: 10.2307/2075131. ISSN  0094-3061. JSTOR  2075131.
  25. ^ Monserrat, Georgette (2020-08-21). "Risky Sex and the Recreational Use of MDMA". Psychedelic Science Review. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  26. ^ Buffum, John; Moser, Charles (October 1986). "MDMA and Human Sexual Function". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 18 (4): 355–359. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1986.10472369. ISSN  0279-1072. PMID  2880951.
  27. ^ Zemishlany, Z.; Aizenberg, D.; Weizman, A. (March 2001). "Subjective effects of MDMA ('Ecstasy') on human sexual function". European Psychiatry. 16 (2): 127–130. doi: 10.1016/s0924-9338(01)00551-x. ISSN  0924-9338. PMID  11311179. S2CID  232177772.
  28. ^ Parrott, Andy C.; Milani, Raffaella M.; Parmar, Rishee; Turner, John J. (2001-09-11). "Recreational ecstasy/MDMA and other drug users from the UK and Italy: psychiatric symptoms and psychobiological problems". Psychopharmacology. 159 (1): 77–82. doi: 10.1007/s002130100897. ISSN  0033-3158. PMID  11797073. S2CID  28092694.
  29. ^ Passie, Torsten; Hartmann, Uwe; Schneider, Udo; Emrich, Hinderk M.; Krüger, Tillmann H.C. (January 2005). "Ecstasy (MDMA) mimics the post-orgasmic state: Impairment of sexual drive and function during acute MDMA-effects may be due to increased prolactin secretion". Medical Hypotheses. 64 (5): 899–903. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.11.044. ISSN  0306-9877. PMID  15780482.
  30. ^ Topp, Libby; Hando, Julie; Dillon, Paul; Roche, Ann; Solowij, Nadia (June 1999). "Ecstasy use in Australia: patterns of use and associated harm". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 55 (1–2): 105–115. doi: 10.1016/s0376-8716(99)00002-2. ISSN  0376-8716. PMID  10402155.
  31. ^ "Erowid Chemicals Vaults : Images : 2cb pack". www.erowid.org. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  32. ^ Palamar, Joseph J.; Acosta, Patricia (2020-01-07). "A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines". Human Psychopharmacology. 35 (1): e2719. doi: 10.1002/hup.2719. ISSN  0885-6222. PMC  6995261. PMID  31909513.
  33. ^ "How Different Antidepressants Work". WebMD. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  34. ^ a b Higgins A, Nash M, Lynch AM (2010-09-09). "Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: impact, effects, and treatment". Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety. 2: 141–50. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S7634. PMC  3108697. PMID  21701626.
  35. ^ "Sex and antidepressants: When to switch drugs or try an antidote". www.mdedge.com. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  36. ^ Pfaus JG, Gorzalka BB (1987-03-01). "Opioids and sexual behavior". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 11 (1): 1–34. doi: 10.1016/S0149-7634(87)80002-7. PMID  3554038. S2CID  41155582.
  37. ^ Raj, Anita; Saitz, Richard; Cheng, Debbie M.; Winter, Michael; Samet, Jeffrey H. (2007-01-01). "Associations Between Alcohol, Heroin, and Cocaine Use and High Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Detoxification Patients". The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 33 (1): 169–178. doi: 10.1080/00952990601091176. ISSN  0095-2990. PMID  17366258. S2CID  37439792.
  38. ^ a b Miller, Norman S.; Gold, Mark S. (January 1988). "The human sexual response and alcohol and drugs". Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 5 (3): 171–177. doi: 10.1016/0740-5472(88)90006-2. ISSN  0740-5472. PMID  3070052.
  39. ^ Lyman MD (2006). Practical drug enforcement (3rd ed.). Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC. p. 70. ISBN  978-0849398087.
  40. ^ "Alcohol Is Most Common 'Date Rape' Drug". Medicalnewstoday.com. MediLexicon International Ltd. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007.
  41. ^ a b "PSA tackles PNP: TV ad warns against crystal meth usage in the gay male community". metroweekly.com. 2007-09-21. Archived from the original on September 21, 2007. Retrieved 2015-12-11.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL ( link)
  42. ^ "What is ChemSex". The Laurel Centre. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  43. ^ Brown E (April 29, 2002). "Crystal Ball". NYMag.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  44. ^ McCall H, Adams N, Mason D, Willis J (November 2015). "What is chemsex and why does it matter?". BMJ. 351: h5790. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h5790. PMID  26537832. S2CID  29923795.
  45. ^ "How gay culture bottled a formula that has broken down boundaries". The Independent. 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2018-06-07.