Sex and drugs

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Many drugs, both legal and illegal have sexual side effects, the most common of which is the reduction of sexual desire. For example, many antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs have the side effect of reducing sexual desire.

Some drugs, such as MDMA increase sensual and erotic sensations, though inhibit sexual intercourse itself due to causing temporary erectile dysfunctions. Other illegal drugs, such as GHB, are notorious for being used to render unknowing victims unconscious or severely sedated and thus easy targets for sexual predators.

Some drugs can have the side effect of altering sexual performance. An example is alcohol, which is notorious for removing sexual inhibitions at the same time as reducing sexual performance through so-called whiskey dick.

Hormone therapies can also change sexual arousal levels, and levels of sexual aggression.

A few drugs can actually increase sexual performance when used to treat erectile dysfunction. These include sildenafil and tadalafil. Bremelanotide, still in clinical trials as of 2006, appears to affect sexual desire directly, making it the first scientifically recognized aphrodisiac. This is also true of Melanotan II.

[edit] See also

Love potions and aphrodisiacs have been claimed to exist in many cultures at many different periods in history; there is little evidence that any of them actually worked.
There is a subculture of sexual activity involving methamphetamine users: see Methamphetamine and sex.
Nitrite inhalants ("Poppers") are sometimes used as an adjunct to sex acts
Drugs and prostitution often occur together, with some drug users becoming prostitutes to pay for their habit, and some prostitutes becoming drug users