Sexuality Information

The Only True Aphrodisiac


We humans like the idea of spontaneity in our romantic relationships, we look for drugs and other agents that may help stimulate sexual desire, but love is a rebel bird that nobody can ever tame and lust is a fickle mistress not well understood.

We have seen considerable interest in using chemical communication based on human pheromones to help stimulate sexual desire, just like the gipsy moth. The idea is that every bead of sweat that evaporates from the skin creates invisible chemical messages of a sexual nature in the air behind us.

Androstadiene is one of the pheromones released in male sweat and may be the closest thing to a natural aphrodisiac, this happens to transmit from male to female, yes well not really the sweet fragrance that Afrodite brings to mind!

Nevertheless, it has an affect but not in the carnal sense, the result in humans is not the same as in the gipsy moth. In humans the compound affects the vomeral nasal organ (two small cavities located either side of the nasal bridge) that in turn stimulates pleasure centres (ie the hypothalamus and the limbic systems) in the brain, these are basically the seat of human emotions.

However the results are not consciously felt ie the subject has no feeling of arousal or attraction, so not the archetypal response we would expect from a true "aphrodisiac". The affect is more relaxing; it makes you feel more positive.

Typically the subject simply becomes more "friendly" and communicative, there is a sensuous feeling but you would not necessarily even be aware of the fact that you are having an uncharacteristically positive "reaction" to someone. Nevertheless, under the correct conditions this can be enough to get things going as it were.

There is now a sizeable industry built around pheromones, again these are not direct aphrodisiacs, they simply create a reduction in negativity but that said I can't ignore the potential here in the preparation for sexual behaviour, this could easily be part of the natural process or the message may not be remotely sexual.

It is worth noting that pheromones are not a new discovery, the affect was known to some of the ancient cultures; for example "white magic" used in Brazil is just coffee made using soiled undergarments as a filter, this is based on the idea of pheromones, and may well have had some impact, maybe :-)

Pheromones are clearly not the complete answer, but that doesn't mean the source of passion can't be bottled or soled, yet!

When we fall in love, we suffer from uncharacteristic changes in behaviour resulting from an overdose of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are naturally produced stimulants. Here we have a semi-aphrodisiac in the form of a chemical cocktail found in the brain.

The result is that we can feel elated one minute but then very depressed because of a dramatic change in the levels of these neurotransmitters, which indirectly affects our higher reasoning and emotional responses.

More dopamine and norepinephrine changes the association between romantic love and sex, the feelings of warmth and intimacy are triggered by serotonin which is a relaxant, this explains romantic infatuation ie obsessive love, but again this is not a recipe for love!

We may well understand the chemistry of romantic love but we cannot use this as an aphrodisiac. That is we can not direct the feelings one way or another, the human brain is just too complex!

Testosterone is the sex hormone, and this is the one true aphrodisiac in male and female biology, it is responsible for desire and directly affects the lebedo.

Testosterone has the affect of increasing cravings for sexual gratification; the number and intensity of sexual fantasies and in fact can also help create better sex overall!

I'm not implying we should go around secretly slipping testosterone additives into our lovers' drinks, mainly because excessive amounts can result in aggressive, irritable behaviour and it typically takes about 36 hours before the results are felt.

This will only work as an aid to a preexisting relationship but it will never make someone fall in love with you.

However if all you want is just the illusion of love, than you would be better-off attempting to achieve an advanced state of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks instead!

I am the website administrator of the Wandle industrial museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people determined to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced awareness its heritage for the use and benefits of the community.


MORE RESOURCES:

Bryn Mawr Prof Discusses Queer Asian-American Sexuality
The Daily Gazette, PA - 14 hours ago
SAO, SQU, Colors, PersuAsian, and the Film and Media and Gender and Sexuality Studies departments came together to bring Hoang, currently a professor at ...


After tackling Politics, Sebastien Tellier gets deep into Sexuality
Westword, CO - Dec 3, 2008
But with the release of Sexuality, his latest recording, Tellier says he's found a more important one. Sebastien TellierWith Astro Moveo, 8 pm Saturday, ...


Goth culture : gender, sexuality and style
Kilden Informasjons- og dokumentasjonssenter for kvinne- og kjønnsforskning, Norway - 6 hours ago
The book shares vivid accounts of the author's experiences exploring gender and sexuality and doing fieldwork in the Gothic subculture. ...


WCBD

Teenagers thinking about their sexuality / Aids Awareness
WCBD, SC - Dec 2, 2008
An important part of adolescence is thinking about and experimenting with aspects of your sexuality. This will help you to grow and discover who you are. ...


School leaders prepare for more sex-ed debates
South County Spotlight, OR - Dec 3, 2008
According to state law, human sexuality education courses must: • Be comprehensive — that means they must be abstinence-based programs that emphasize that ...


Windy City Times

VIEWS Civil rights threatened by referendums
Windy City Times, IL - Dec 3, 2008
Tom Foster is an associate professor of history at DePaul University; editor of the award-winning Long Before Stonewall: Histories of Same-Sex Sexuality in ...


Northern Virginia Art Beat
Falls Church News Press, VA - 2 hours ago
This image seems to speak to the way women learn to use their sexuality to gain attention and separate themselves from the crowd. If you think about it, ...


Now playing
Arizona Daily Star, AZ - 14 hours ago
Cadillac Records **1/2 — R for pervasive language and some sexuality. A drama about the rise of Chess Records. Adrien Brody.104 minutes. Review on Page 12. ...


Sin Chew Jit Poh

Black Dreams
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia - 18 hours ago
(Photo courtesy: The Jakarta Post/ AsiaNews) Indonesian sculptor Ibnu Nurwanto aims to break the politico-religious discourse on sexuality by exposing the ...


eFluxMedia

Episcopal Church
Chicago Public Radio, IL - 15 hours ago
Frank says one reason for the split is the disagreement within the Anglican Church over the human sexuality. But he says the move has been in the works for ...
Split in Episcopal Church hits new level Los Angeles Times
Fort Worth Episcopal diocese joins new Anglican Church in North ... Fort Worth Star Telegram
Conservatives form rival group to Episcopal Church The Associated Press
Kentucky.com
all 432 news articles

Sexuality - Google News

home | site map
© 2006