Anaphrodisiac

An anaphrodisiac (also antaphrodisiac or antiaphrodisiac) is something that quells or blunts the libido. It is the opposite of an aphrodisiac, something that enhances sexual appetite. The word anaphrodisiac comes from the Greek privative prefix ἀν-, denoting negation, and aphrodisiac, from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.

Available anaphrodisiacs classes of substances

Some common anaphrodisiacs are ethanol (alcohol) and tobacco, but this is typically an unintended consequence and not often the main reason for use. While alcohol is used socially because it initially reduces mental inhibitions, studies have shown that over time alcohol physically decreases arousal and makes achieving climax more difficult.[1] For this reason alcohol is considered an anaphrodisiac.

Opioids, the class of pain-reducing substances which include morphine, heroin, and hydrocodone, are anaphrodisiacs.

Less natural options are prescription synthetic compounds such as estrogens and anti-androgen drugs. These drugs have several side effects including fatigue, headaches, mood disturbances, loss of body hair, and breast development. Because of the health risks of prescription medication, these products are undesirable for a large segment of the population and are most frequently prescribed by professionals for male habitual sex offenders (see Chemical castration). These products are considered too risky for the general public and are typically not recommended for casual use.

Side effects of certain antidepressant medications may be anaphroditic in nature (e.g. SSRIs and certain antipsychotics), however, there are no prescription psychotropic drugs that have reliable anaphroditic effects. .

Antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate are sometimes prescribed to convicted sex offenders who are released on parole in an effort to stop them reoffending, however the high doses required often cause a range of side effects which may limit compliance. Other antiandrogens such as spironolactone and finasteride may also lower sex drive.

History

Herbal anaphrodisiacs have been employed by various religious sects and orders throughout history. Most commonly, Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) has been used to normalize hormones in both men and women. An over-active libido is very often treated herbally by addressing poor adrenal function.

Rumours that the British Army put the 19th century anticonvulsant and sedative potassium bromide in soldiers' tea during World War II to damp soldiers' lust appears to be an urban myth. Given the long half-life of the drug in the body, a mildly sedated army would be unlikely to be an effective fighting force. A similar belief appears to exist in the United States about saltpeter in army coffee[2] or in Russia about potassium bromide in army food. There are numerous reports of use of potassium bromide and potassium nitrate in Polish military, prisons, rehabs and mental hospitals, but not in every facility.

Barrister Sir Edward Marshall Hall theorised that murderer Hawley Harvey Crippen was using hyoscine on his wife as an anaphrodisiac but accidentally gave her an overdose and then panicked when she died.[3][4]

Scientific study

Studies have evaluated the effect of herbal anaphrodisiacs on men and women. These include studies on the effect of substances on both hormone levels and behavior.

The mechanism of the active component of some plant-based anaphrodisiacs may be the induction of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of sex-hormone precursors into androstenedione, which promotes the reduction of sexual urges. Studies have demonstrated that some of these products inhibit 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17,20-lyase, which catalyzes the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone of androstenedione to testosterone.[5]

In one study a group of men were given an anaphrodisiac and the effect on the metabolism of mineralocorticoids in these men was recorded. During the period of administration, the testosterone concentrations decreased and the serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations increased. Testosterone levels fell by about 40% after administration and returned to normal after usage was discontinued.[6] However, the actual effect of these medicines on sexual desire was not measured in the study.

The amino acid 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, has been anecdotally reported to be a mild anaphrodisiac, as has the serotonergic empathogen MDMA, popularly known as "ecstasy". However, systematic study of these chemicals is lacking, due to the off-patent nature of 5-HTP, and the legal control of MDMA. In addition, other serotonergic euphoriant drugs, like the psychedelic LSD, have been reportedly used to drastically increase sexual pleasure. MDMA in combination with a PDE5 inhibitor (trade names Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) is termed "sextasy". This combination increases libido and performance simultaneously. A PDE5 inhibitor taken alone has no effect on sex drive, suggesting that serotonergic euphoriants like MDMA may actually increase libido while decreasing performance, similar to alcohol.

In 2012 Iranian researchers of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran have found that liquorice - especially used in sweets, tea and herbal remedies - can lower levels of testosterone. Glycyrrhiza, the compound in liquorice root contains phytoestrogens and has been shown to affect the endocrine system. The findings backs up a previous Italian study about the hormonal effects of liquorice whose results could not be replicated in other studies by University of Texas and University of Michigan in the past. The Iranian scientists came to the conclusion that the regular consumption of liquorice can lower libido of men and in high doses may even increase the risks of sexual problems including impotence. However, the study also showed that the level of testosterone normalizes after abstinence of liquorice within a few days and the effects completely disappear. For women, the consumption of liquorice has an opposite effect on their sexual desire and can improve female libido.[7]

List of putative anaphrodisiacs

See also

References

  1. ↑ Malatesta, Victor; Robert Pollack; Terru Crotty; Leon Peacock (February 1982). "Acute Alcohol Intoxication and Female Orgasmic Response". The Journal of Sex Research 18 (1): 1–17. doi:10.1080/00224498209551130. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  2. ↑ Saltpeter in Food
  3. ↑ Browne, Douglas G.; Tullett, E.V. (1955). Bernard Spilsbury: his life and cases. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. pp. 31–54.
  4. ↑ Filson Young (1954). Harry Hodge, ed. Famous Trials I. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. p. 124.
  5. ↑ Farese RV Jr, Biglieri EG, Shackleton CHL, Irony I, Gomez-Fontes R. glycyrrhetinic acid-induced hypermineralocorticoidism. N Engl J Med 1991;325:1223-1227. [Medline]
  6. ↑ Yaginuma T, Izumi R, Yasui H, Arai T, Kawabata M Effect of traditional herbal medicine on serum testosterone levels and its induction of regular ovulation in hyperandrogenic and oligomenorrheic women [Article in Japanese]. Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 1982 Jul;34(7):939-44
  7. ↑ "Liquorice risk to men's sex life". BBC News. 17 September 2003.
  8. ↑ "Hyrtl mentions (loc. cit. ii, p. 94), rue (Ruta graveolens) was considered a sexual sedative by the monks of old, who on this account assiduously cultivated it in their cloister gardens to make vinum rutæ."

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