A love potion (Latin: poculum amatorium) is a magical liquid which supposedly causes the drinker to develop feelings of love towards the person who served it.
The love potion motif occurs in literature, mainly in fairy
tales, and in paintings, drama, music and mythology.
In the Middle Ages, extracts from nightshades were used as
hallucinogens, and to make supposed love potions and flying ointments. Such
plants may have included belladonna, angel's trumpets, jimsonweed, black
henbane, European scopolia or autumn mandrake, which contain alkaloids
(atropine and scopolamine, which are hallucinogenic in higher doses)
characterized by a narrow therapeutic index.
Some attempts to create love potions have led to overdose or
death where the preparations were not standardized for the content of potent
compounds.
Other alleged aphrodisiacs include Spanish fly, lizard
necks, flowers, mashed worms, sacramental bread, and "sweaty cakes" (made from human hair, glandular
excretions, skin and blood).
Aphrodisiac
Tools
An aphrodisiac is
a substance alleged to increase libido, sexual desire, sexual attraction,
sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior. These substances range from a variety of
plants, spices and foods to synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs like
cannabis or cocaine are classified into plant-based and non-plant-based substances.
Synthetic aphrodisiacs include MDMA and methamphetamine. Aphrodisiacs can be
classified by their type of effects (i.e., psychological or physiological).
Aphrodisiacs that contain hallucinogenic properties like bufotenin have
psychological effects on a person that can increase sexual desire and sexual
pleasure. Aphrodisiacs that have smooth muscle relaxing properties like
yohimbine have physiological effects on a person that can affect hormone levels
and increase blood flow.
It is possible that the aphrodisiac effect of a substance is
due to the placebo effect. Substances that impede on areas that aphrodisiacs
aim to enhance are called anaphrodisiacs, which have the opposite effects on
libido.
Both males and females can potentially benefit from the use
of aphrodisiacs, but they are more focused on males as their properties tend to
increase testosterone levels rather than estrogen levels. This is in part due
to the historical context of aphrodisiacs, which focused solely on males. Only
recent attention has been paid to understanding how aphrodisiacs can aid female
sexual function. In addition, cultural influence in appropriate sexual behavior
from males and females also play a part in the research gap.
History
The name comes from the Greek ἀφροδισιακόν, aphrodisiakon,
i.e. "sexual, aphrodisiac",
from aphrodisios, i.e. "pertaining
to Aphrodite", the Greek goddess of love. Throughout human history,
food, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more
attainable and/or pleasurable.
However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the
alleged results may have been mainly due to mere belief by their users that
they would be effective (placebo effect). Likewise, many medicines are reported
to affect libido in inconsistent or idiopathic ways: enhancing or diminishing
overall sexual desire depending on the situation of the subject. For example,
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is known as an antidepressant that can counteract other
co-prescribed antidepressants having libido-diminishing effects. However,
because Wellbutrin only increases the libido in the special case that it is
already impaired by related medications, it is not generally classed as an
aphrodisiac.
Ancient civilizations like Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Roman,
and Greek cultures believed that certain substances could provide the key to
improving sexual desire, sexual pleasure, and/or sexual behavior. This was
important because some men suffered from erectile dysfunction and could not
reproduce. Men who were unable to impregnate their wives and father large
families were seen as failures, whereas those who could were respected. Hence,
a stimulant was needed. Others who did not suffer from this also desired
performance enhancers. Regardless of their usage, these substances gained
popularity and began to be documented with information being passed down
generations. Hindu cultures wrote poems dated back around 2000 to 1000 BC that
spoke of performance enhancers, ingredients, and usage tips. Chinese cultures
wrote text dated back to 2697 to 2595 BC. Roman and Chinese cultures documented
their belief in aphrodisiac qualities in animal genitalia while Egyptian wrote
tips for treating erectile dysfunction. In Post-classical West Africa, a volume
titled Advising Men on Sexual Engagement with Their Women from the Timbuktu
Manuscripts acted as a guide on aphrodisiacs and infertility remedies. It
offered advice to men on "winning
back" their wives. According to Hammer, "At a time when women’s sexuality was barely acknowledged in the
West, the manuscript, a kind of Baedeker to orgasm, offered tips for maximizing
sexual pleasure on both sides."
Ambergris, Bufo toad, yohimbine, horny goat weed, ginseng,
alcohol, and certain foods are recorded throughout these texts as containing
aphrodisiac qualities. While numerous plants, extracts or manufactured hormones
have been proposed as aphrodisiacs, there is little high-quality clinical
evidence for the efficacy or long-term safety of using them.
There has been increasing attention in recent years
surrounding the use of aphrodisiac drugs. In 2020, Julian Savulescu and Brian
Earp published a philosophy book entitled Love Drugs: The Chemical Future
of Relationships. They argued that certain forms of medications can be
ethically consumed as a "helpful
complement" in relationships. Both to fall in love, and, to fall out
of it.
Types
Ambergris
Ambergris is found in the gut of sperm whales. It is
commonly used in Arab cultures as relief medication for headaches or as a
performance enhancer. The chemical structure of Ambrien has shown to increase
testosterone levels triggering sexual desire and sexual behavior in animal
studies only. Further research is needed to know the effects on humans.
Bufotenin
Bufotenin is found in the skin and glands of Bufo toads. It
is commonly used in West Indian and Chinese cultures. West Indian cultures use
it as an aphrodisiac called 'Love Stone'.
Chinese cultures use bufotenin as heart medication called Chan su. Research
shows that it can have a negative effect on heart rate.
Yohimbine
Yohimbine is a substance found in the bark of yohim trees in
West Africa. It was traditionally used in West African cultures, in which the
bark would be boiled and the resulting water drunk until its effects showed
proven benefits in increasing sexual desire. It has been approved by the Food
and Drug Administration and can be prescribed for sexual dysfunction in the
United States and Canada. It is also found in over-the-counter health products.
The chemical structure of yohimbine is an indole alkaloid that contains an adrenergic
receptor blocker. This blocker affects the central nervous system, autonomic
nervous system, and penile tissue and vascular smooth muscle cells that help
men with physiological issues and treats psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Known side effects include nausea, anxiety, irregular heartbeats, and
restlessness.
Horny goat weed
Horny goat weed (Epimedii herba) is used in Chinese folk
medicine. It was thought useful for treating medical conditions and improving
sexual desire, sexual pleasure, and/or sexual behavior. Horny goat weed contains icariin, a flavanol
glycoside. Its exotic name comes from the tendency of goats in the region to
seek out this weed. Once farmers saw its effects on the goat population they
began to use it to increase the number of workers on their farms.
Alcohol
Alcohol has been associated as an aphrodisiac due to its
effect as a central nervous system depressant. Depressants can increase sexual
desire and sexual behavior through disinhibition. Alcohol affects people both
physiologically and psychologically, and is therefore difficult to determine
exactly how people are experiencing its aphrodisiacal effects (i.e.,
aphrodisiac qualities or the expectancy effect). Alcohol taken in moderate
quantities can elicit a positive increase in sexual desire whereas larger
quantities are associated with difficulties reaching sexual pleasure. Chronic
alcohol consumption is related to sexual dysfunction.
Cannabis
Marijuana reports are mixed with half of users claiming an
increase in sexual desire and sexual pleasure while the other half reports no
effect. Consumption, individual sensitivity, and possibly marijuana strain are
known factors that affect results.
Food
Many cultures have turned to food as a source of increasing
sexual desire; however, significant research is lacking in the study of
aphrodisiac qualities in food. Most claims can be linked to the placebo effect
aforementioned. Misconceptions revolve around the visual appearance of these
foods in relation to male and female genitalia (i.e., carrots, bananas,
oysters, and the like). Other beliefs arise from the thought of consuming
animal genitals and absorbing their properties (i.e., cow cod soup in Jamaica or
balut in the Philippines). Korean bug is a popular aphrodisiac in China, Korea,
and Southeast Asia either eaten alive or in gelatin form. The caterpillar
fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is another aphrodisiac used in China. The story
of Aphrodite, who was born from the sea, is another reason why individuals
believe seafood is another source of aphrodisiacs. Foods that contain volatile
oils have gained little recognition in their ability to improve sexual desire,
sexual pleasure, and/or sexual behavior because they are irritants when released
through the urinary tract. Chocolate has been reported to increase sexual
desire in women who consume it over those who do not. Cloves and sage have been
reported to demonstrate aphrodisiac qualities but their effects are not yet
specified. Tropical fruits, such as Borojó and Chontaduro are considered
energizers in general and sexual energizers in particular.
Ginseng
Ginseng is the root of any member of the genus Panax. Ginseng's
active ingredients are ginsenosides and saponin glycosides. There are three
different ways to process ginseng. Fresh ginseng is cut at four years of
growth, white ginseng is cut at four to six years of growth, and red ginseng is
cut, dried, and steamed at six years of growth. Red ginseng has been reported
to be the most effective aphrodisiac of the three. Known side effects include
mild gastrointestinal upset.
Maca is a Peruvian plant sometimes called "Peruvian ginseng" (but not
closely related to Panax). It has been used as a tonic to improve sexual
performance.
Synthetic
MDMA Molecule, the
compound found in Ecstasy
Popular party substances have been reported by users to
consist of aphrodisiac properties because of their enhancing effects with
sexual pleasure. Ecstasy users have reported an increase in sexual desire and
sexual pleasure; however, there have been reports of delays in orgasm in both
sexes and erectile difficulties in men. Poppers, an inhalant, have been linked
to increased sexual pleasure. Known side effects are headaches, nausea, and temporary
erectile difficulties.
Phenethylamines
Amphetamine, methylphenidate, and methamphetamine are
phenethylamine derivatives which are known to increase libido and cause
frequent or prolonged erections as potential side effects, particularly at high
supratherapeutic doses where sexual hyperexcitability and hypersexuality can occur;
however, in some individuals who use these drugs, libido is reduced.
2C-B was sold commercially in 5 mg pills as a purported
aphrodisiac under the trade name "Erox",
which was manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Drittewelle.
Testosterone
Libido in males is linked to levels of sex hormones, particularly
testosterone. When a reduced sex drive occurs in individuals with relatively
low levels of testosterone, particularly in postmenopausal women or men over
age 60, dietary supplements that are purported to increase serum testosterone
concentrations have been used with intent to increase libido, although with
limited benefit. Long-term therapy with synthetic oral testosterone is
associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Risks
Solid evidence is hard to obtain as these substances come
from many different environments cross-culturally and therefore affect results
due to variations in its growth and extraction. The same is also true for
unnatural substances as variations in consumption and individual sensitivity
can affect results. Folk medicine and self-prescribed methods can be
potentially harmful as side effects are not fully known and therefore are not
made aware to the people searching this topic on the internet.
In popular culture
The invention of an aphrodisiac is the basis of a number of
films including Perfume: The Story of a
Murderer, Spanish Fly, She'll Follow You Anywhere, Love Potion No. 9 and A Serbian Film. The first segment of
Woody Allen's Everything You Always
Wanted to Know about Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) is called "Do Aphrodisiacs Work?", and casts
Allen as a court jester trying to seduce the queen. The "Despair Arc" of
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School features a class being
dosed with aphrodisiacs.
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