aphrodisiac

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An aphrodisiac (plural aphrodisiacs , adjective aphrodisiac ) is an active ingredient for stimulating or increasing the libido . It has a specifically irritating and stimulating effect on sexual desire, sexual pleasure and sometimes also on the genital organs . The name comes from the Greek ( τἁ Ἀφροδίσια , " enjoyment of love") and is derived from Aphrodite , the goddess of love , who celebrated the festival of Aphrodisia in honor of the Aphrodite cult and after whom the ancient city ​​of Aphrodisias was named. A drug that works in the opposite direction is called an anaphrodisiac .

history

Over the centuries, over 500 animal, plant and mineral substances have been said to have a pleasure-increasing effect worldwide.

Antiquity

Many aromatic herbs and fragrant plants with erotic or intoxicating effects were dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite . The many plants whose aphrodisiac properties were valued in antiquity include the mandrake ( Mandragora officinalis ), sorrel ( Rumex acetosa ), the saffron crocus ( Crocus sativus ), the earth disc ( Cyclamen graecum ), the sea or beach thistle ( Eryngium maritimum ) and the folding flower ( Teucrium micropodioides , syn.Micropus erectus ). Also wine was like a mixture with other intoxicants used as an aphrodisiac. The use of aphrodisiac plants was also widespread in ancient Egypt, where they were associated with Hathor , the (Egyptian) "goddess of love".

In contrast to the natural aphrodisacas in antiquity, pharmaceuticals that increase sexual drive and increase potency, which are primarily based on magic effects, were also referred to as the Greek philtron and the Latin amatorium .

Middle Ages and Early Modern Times

In the past, a number of magic plants , such as kale ( Brassica oleracea var. Sabellica ), parsley, spoonbill and other herbs and spices such as nutmeg , were considered aphrodisiac or love herb . Even the tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) was taken into closer consideration in America ("love apple" or "paradise apple").

present

Even today, in popular belief or in pseudosciences, numerous plants, animals, drugs, etc. are said to have effects as aphrodisiac. B. be used as a spice , food , strengthening or sexual enhancement , perfume , cosmetics or jewelry . Some examples are Asant , Camu-Camu , Hawaiian Woodrose , Maca , Cantharidin , Spanish Fly , Hormiga culona , Myrrh or Bibergeil . However, there is no proof of an aphrodisiac effect of these agents. The research of the pharmaceutical industry attempted to about 2,010, lust enhancing drugs (eg. As CP-866.087 or flibanserin ) develop their effects in clinical trials to be detected. However, there is a search for medicinal plants with pharmacologically tested aphrodisiac properties.

Substance classes

Cherry as a sensual symbol

Many foods and spices are associated with human sexuality in various ways . To create an intimate and sensual pleasure, special or specially prepared foods are used as aphrodisiac because of their smell, taste, appearance or texture. Examples are candied fruit , whipped cream , melted chocolate , oysters or asparagus . The transition to seduction and sexual fetishism is fluid. In a literature review , researchers found that ginseng , saffron and yohimbine can improve sexual function, and muira puama and chocolate can increase pleasure in humans.

India

The traditional Indian art of healing Ayurveda knows aphrodisiac love remedies and dishes, such as B. Ankota ( Alangium salvifolium) Asvattha ( Ficus religiosa ) Bhallataka ( Semecarpus anacardium ) Girikarnika ( Clitoria ternatea ) Godhuma ( Triticum aestivum ), Goksura ( Tribulus terrestris ), Kapikacchhu ( Mucuna pruriens ), Karkatasrngi ( Pistacia integerrima) Madhuka ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ), Munjataka ( Orchis latifolia ), Tila ( Sesamum indicum ).

Drugs and medication

If increasing sexual desire and libido is not the primary effect of a substance, it is not an aphrodisiacs. This includes all substances, drugs and medications used to treat erectile dysfunction , such as: B. Viagra , Levitra , Tadalafil , Apomorphine , Alprostadil (Prostaglandin E1), Papaverine , Moxisylyt (also Thymoxamine ), as they have no direct pleasure-increasing effect. For the aphrodisiac effect of products made from invigorating or strengthening plants such as B. ginger , coffee , Catuaba , Guaraná , Tieguanyin , Muira Puama , Damiana , Ginseng or Epimedium ( Horny Goat Weed ) there is no clear scientific evidence. At z. B. Maca an aphrodisiac effect could be refuted.

Drugs with aphrodisiac side effects

Drugs and medications that can have an aphrodisiac side effect include psychotropic substances such as B. Alcohol , cannabis , methaqualone , GHB , MDMA or poppers , which are also consumed to relax, increase sexual pleasure or decrease sexual inhibitions . Some drugs, such as B. cocaine or amphetamines ( methamphetamine ), have a dopaminergic side effect.

Aphrodisiac drugs

3D animation of the Melanotan II peptide molecule
( enlarge )

Hormones such as B. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), pheromones , oxytocin , PEA (phenethylamine), estrogen , testosterone , serotonin , dopamine , progesterone , prolactin or vasopressin influence sexual behavior in different ways. There is no single substance that works as an aphrodisiac and solves all sexual problems. Pharmaceutical research is therefore developing drugs to treat sexual disorders , with substances that affect sexuality in different ways.

Adrenergic

Rauwolscine

Rauwolscine ( α-yohimbine ) is an alkaloid of serpentine and a stereoisomer of yohimbine with aphrodisiac properties.

Yohimbine

Yohimbine is an alkaloid from the tree bark yohimbe , which is often considered a weak MAO inhibitor, for which there is no evidence. Yohimbine is part of some pharmaceutical sexual enhancers such as B. Yocon, Yohimex, Aphrodyne or Viritab. Yohimbine is an alpha-adrenergic antagonist that acts to increase blood flow to the genitals of both sexes and, in some people, increase sexual sensitivity and arousal. In addition to yohimbine, the yohimbe tree bark contains other alkaloids that have various effects such as B. have a racing pulse, sweating or feeling anxious. Therefore, sexual enhancers that are made directly from the yohimbe tree bark should be viewed with caution. Pharmaceutical sexual enhancers containing yohimbine can also have such side effects in high doses.

Androgens

testosterone

The libido is influenced by various hormones, especially testosterone . In post- menopausal women or in men over 60 with a reduced sex drive that correlates with a low testosterone level, testosterone preparations can increase the libido. An excessive dose of testosterone can cause sexual overactivity in women. No higher mortality or increased risk of breast cancer or angiopathy has been found with testosterone therapies . In older men, testosterone precursors also have a positive effect on their sex drive. Other anabolic steroids such as B. Trenbolone , which mimics the effects of testosterone, can also increase libido. However, such substances have as side effects such. B. Testicular atrophy , which can reduce the sex drive, even permanently if taken for a long time.

Tibolone

Tibolone is a synthetically produced steroid hormone that can increase sexual desire, arousal and orgasmic ability in postmenopausal women .

Dopaminergic

Dopaminergic drugs such as B. Deprenyl , Phenylethylamine , Quineloran , Lisurid , Bromocriptine ; Levodopa , minaprine , amineptine or pramipexole work by stimulating the neurotransmitter dopamine or the dopamine receptors . These drugs can increase sexual desire to the point of hypersexuality .

Bupropion

Bupropion is an antidepressant whose sexual stimulant appears to work by stimulating the limbic system , amygdala , septum , hippocampus and entorhinal cortex . This stimulation increases the pleasure and sensitivity of the genitals during sexual activities, which makes it easier for sensory stimuli to be converted into sexual acts. Bupropion does not, by itself, increase sexual activity. The active ingredient bupropion hydrochloride, which z. B. is also part of the anti-smoking pill Zyban , led to death if the dosage was too high.

Phenethylamine

Phenethylamine , PEA for short, is an endogenous hormone responsible for the feeling of happiness and is a component of various foods such as B. Chocolate . Although PEA is cited as an aphrodisiac in popular literature, there is no scientific evidence of the aphrodisiac effects of PEA from consumption of such foods.

Melanotropins

Melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH) stimulate the production of melanin in the pigment cells of the skin and hair and can increase libido and sexual arousal in women and men. Preparations that activate the MC3-R and MC4-R melanocortin receptors in the brain are currently the most effective aphrodisiac drugs.

Bremelanotide

Bremelanotide , formerly known as PT-141 , has been used in clinical trials for the treatment of sexual arousal disorders and erectile dysfunction . This preparation was intended for both sexes. The results of the preliminary study showed the effectiveness of this drug, but also increased blood pressure as a side effect. For this reason the alternative preparation PL-6983 was developed.

Melanotan II

Melanotan II , a tanning agent, has shown aphrodisiac properties in clinical studies.

Other drugs

Crocin

Crocin is a carotenoid dye that z. B. occurs in crocuses . In initial studies with animals, crocin showed aphrodisiac properties and in a pilot study a positive effect on sexual function in men.

Oxytocin

The hormone oxytocin influences human emotions in many ways and is released in the body through constant tactile stimuli and during orgasm . It generates z. B. a feeling of personal connection with a person, wellbeing or relaxation. The lust-increasing effect of oxytocin has been proven in women and men.

Aphrodisiac in art

literature

  • L. Brizendine : The Female Brain . Broadway Books, New York 2006, ISBN 0-7679-2010-4 .
  • TL Crenshaw: The Alchemy of Love and Lust . Pocket Books, New York 1997, ISBN 0-671-00444-1 .
  • T .L. Crenshaw, JP Goldberg: Sexual Pharmacology, Drugs that affect sexual functioning . WW Norton & Company , New York 1996, ISBN 0-393-70144-1 .
  • ED Goldberg, WG Paschinskij: Herbal stimulators of sexual function . Pmi, 1992, ISBN 3-86007-052-5 .
  • Stefan Haas: Love herbs and magic plants. Myths, superstitions, today's knowledge. Stuttgart 2010.
  • Christian Rätsch , Claudia Müller-Ebeling: Lexicon of love products: Herbal, mineral, animal and synthetic aphrodisiacs . AT Verlag, 2003, ISBN 3-85502-772-2 .
  • JG Pfaus, BJ Everitt : The Psychopharmacology of Sexual Behavior . In: FE Bloom, DJ Kupfer (Ed.): Psychopharmacology: The Fourth Generation of Progress . 4th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1995, ISBN 978-0-7817-0166-2 ( online ).
  • Raymond Stark: Aphrodisiacs and their effects . Heyne Verlag, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-453-41607-4 .
  • Ulrich Stoll: Aphrodisiac. In: Werner E. Gerabek , Bernhard D. Haage, Gundolf Keil , Wolfgang Wegner (eds.): Enzyklopädie Medizingeschichte. De Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2005, ISBN 3-11-015714-4 , p. 75.
  • PV Tabener: Aphrodisiacs: the science and the myth . University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985, ISBN 0-8122-7994-8 , pp. 288 .

Web links

Commons : Aphrodisiacs  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Aphrodisiac  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. J. Neelam, G. Shaily, GR Kishan: Biotechnological Approaches to Aphrodisiac Plants of Rajasthan, India . In: KG Ramawat (ed.): Desert Plants (=  Biomedical and Life Sciences ). tape 4 . Springer, 2010, ISBN 978-3-642-02549-5 , chap. 22 , p. 479-495 , doi : 10.1007 / 978-3-642-02550-1_22 .
  2. Stoll (2005), p. 75.
  3. a b R. Shamloul: Natural Aphrodisiacs . In: The Journal of Sexual Medicine . 7, No. 1, 2010, pp. 39-49. doi : 10.1111 / j.1743-6109.2009.01521.x . PMID 19796015 .
  4. The Efficacy, Safety And Toleration Of CP-866,087 In Pre-Menopausal Women With Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. . Nov 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  5. F. Borsini, K. Evans, K. Jason, F. Rohde, B. Alexander, S. Pollentier: Pharmacology of flibanserin . In: CNS Drug Rev . 8, No. 2, May 2002, pp. 117-142. PMID 12177684 .
  6. RW Invernizzi, G. Sacchetti, S. Parini, S. Acconcia, R. Samanin: Flibanserin, a potential antidepressant drug, lowers 5-HT and raises dopamine and noradrenaline in the rat prefrontal cortex dialysate: role of 5-HT (1A ) receptors. . In: Br J Pharmacol . . 139, No. 7, August 2003, pp. 1281-1288. doi : 10.1038 / sj.bjp.0705341 .
  7. ^ J. Carey: Viagra for Women? . Dec. 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  8. ^ S. Kotta, SH Ansari, J. Ali: Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs. In: Pharmacognosy reviews. Volume 7, number 13, January 2013, pp. 1–10, doi : 10.4103 / 0973-7847.112832 (currently unavailable) , PMID 23922450 , PMC 3731873 (free full text).
  9. Anahad O'Connor: The Claim: Chocolate Is an aphrodisiac. The New York Times, July 18, 2006, accessed June 20, 2010 .
  10. Aphrodisiacs. Sinclair Intimacy Institute, 2002, p. 2 , archived from the original on December 3, 2005 ; Retrieved June 20, 2010 .
  11. ^ Food Aphrodisiacs That Affect the Libido. Sexual Health Center, accessed June 20, 2010 .
  12. JP Melnyk, FM Massimo: Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources — A review of current scientific literature . In: Food Research International . 44, No. 4, 2011, pp. 840-850. doi : 10.1016 / j.foodres.2011.02.043 .
  13. Seetharam Prasad (ed.): Ayurvedline Sex Medicine, Part 1 . 8th edition. Ayurvedline, Bangalore 2005, p. 106-108 .
  14. W. Cawello, A. Leonhardt, H. Schweer, HW Seyberth, R. Bonn, AL Lomeli: Dose proportional pharmacokinetics of alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) in healthy volunteers Following intravenous infusion . In: British journal of clinical pharmacology . 40, No. 3, September 1995, pp. 273-276. PMID 8527291 . PMC 1365109 (free full text).
  15. Papaverine. (No longer available online.) EverydayHealth.com, archived from the original on July 31, 2012 ; Retrieved April 9, 2011 .
  16. R. Sakakibara, T. Hattori, T. Uchiyama et al .: Are alpha-blockers involved in lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple system atrophy? A comparison of prazosin and moxisylyte . In: J. Auton. Nerve. Syst. . 79, No. 2-3, March 2000, pp. 191-195. doi : 10.1016 / S0165-1838 (99) 00105-8 . PMID 10699651 .
  17. ^ DL Rowland, W. Tai: A review of plant-derived and herbal approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions . In: J. Sex. Marital Ther. . 29, No. 3, 2003, pp. 185-205. PMID 12851124 .
  18. ^ J. Waynberg, et al .: Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women . In: Adv. Ther. . 17, No. 5, 2000, pp. 255-262. PMID 11186145 .
  19. ^ GF Gonzales, A. Cordova, K. Vega, A. Chung, A. Villena, C. Gonez: Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men . In: Journal of Endocrinology . 176, 2003, pp. 163-168. doi : 10.1677 / joe.0.1760163 .
  20. Cannabis Puts Females in the Mood for Love . M. Henderson, The Times. January 29, 2001. Retrieved August 23, 2007.
  21. DE Greydanus, L. Matytsina: Female sexual dysfunction and adolescents. . In: Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol . August 2010. PMID 20706119 .
  22. ^ JD Kohli, NN De: Pharmacological Action of Rauwolscine . In: Nature . 177, No. 4521, June 1956, p. 1182. doi : 10.1038 / 1771182a0 . PMID 13334509 .
  23. AA Adeniyi, GS Brindley, JP Pryor, DJ Ralph: Yohimbine in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction . In: Asian J Androl . 9, 2007, p. 403. doi : 10.1111 / J.1745-7262.2007.00276.x . PMID 17486282 .
  24. VA Kovalev, SV Koroleva, AA Kamalov: Pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction. . In: Urologiia . 2000. PMID 16856460 .
  25. R. Shabsigh: The effects of testosterone on the cavernous tissue and erectile function . In: World J. Urol . 15, 1997, p. 21. doi : 10.1007 / BF01275152 . PMID 9066090 .
  26. ^ R. Goldstat, E. Briganti, J. Tran, R. Wolfe, SR Davis: Transdermal testosterone therapy improves well-being, mood, and sexual function in premenopausal women. . In: menopause . 10, No. 5, September 2003, pp. 390-8. doi : 10.1097 / 01.GME.0000060256.03945.20 . PMID 14501599 .
  27. ^ PB Gray, AB Singh, LJ Woodhouse, TW Storer, R. Casaburi, J. Dzekov, C. Dzekov, I. Sinha-Hikim, S. Bhasin: Dose-dependent effects of testosterone on sexual function, mood, and visuospatial cognition in older men . In: J Clin Endocrinol Metab . . 2005. PMID 15827094 .
  28. L. Brizendine: The Female Brain . Broadway Books, New York 2006, ISBN 0-7679-2010-4 , pp. 90 .
  29. AM Traish, LJ Gooren: Safety of Physiological Testosterone Therapy in Women: Lessons from Female-to-Male Transsexuals (FMT) Treated with Pharmacological Testosterone Therapy. . In: J Sex Med. . August 2010. PMID 20722789 .
  30. ^ GA Brown, MD Vukovich, ER Martini, ML Kohut, WD Franke, DA Jackson, DS King: Effects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old men . In: Int J Vitam Nutr Res . 2001. PMID 11725694 .
  31. ^ GA Brown, MD Vukovich, TA Reifenrath, NL Uhl, KA Parsons, RL Sharp, DS King: Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men. . In: Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab . 2000. PMID 10997957 .
  32. S. Ziaei, M. Moghasemi, S. Faghihzadeh: Comparative effects of conventional hormone replacement therapy and tibolone on climacteric symptoms and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. . In: Climacteric . 13, No. 2, April 2010, pp. 147-156. PMID 19731119 .
  33. E. Ch. Wolters, YD van der Werf, OA van den Heuvel: Parkinson's disease-related disorders in the impulsive-compulsive spectrum. . In: Journal of Neurology . 255, No. 5, September 2008, pp. 48-56. PMID 18787882 .
  34. RD Dobkin, M. Menza, H. Marin, LA Allen, R. Rousso, SR Leiblum: Bupropion improves sexual functioning in depressed minority women: an open-label switch study. . In: J. Clin. Psychopharmacol. . 26, No. 1, February 2006, pp. 21-26. PMID 16415700 .
  35. ^ AH Clayton, EL McGarvey, AI Abouesh, RC Pinkerton: Substitution of an SSRI with bupropion sustained release following SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. . In: J. Clin. Psychiatry. . 62, No. 3, March 2001, pp. 185-190. PMID 11305705 .
  36. HH López, G. Wurzel, B. Ragen: The effect of acute bupropion on sexual motivation and behavior in the female rat . In: Pharmacol Biochem Behav . . 87, No. 3, September 2007, pp. 369-379. PMID 17586031 .
  37. MR Safarinejad: The effects of the adjunctive bupropion on male sexual dysfunction induced by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: a double-blind placebo-controlled and randomized study. . In: BJU Int. . January 2010. PMID 20067456 .
  38. MR Safarinejad: Reversal of SSRI-induced female sexual dysfunction by adjunctive bupropion in menstruating women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized study . In: J Psychopharmacol . . January 2010. PMID 20080928 .
  39. ^ CR Harris, J. Gualtieri, G. Stark: Fatal bupropion overdose . In: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol . . 35, No. 3, January 1997, pp. 321-324. PMID 9140330 .
  40. M. Mercerolle, R. Denooz, G. Lachâtre, C. Charlier: A fatal case of bupropion (Zyban) overdose. . In: J Anal Toxicol . . 32, No. 2, March 2008, pp. 192-196. PMID 18334106 .
  41. M. Liebowitz: Chemistry Of Love . Berkley, 1984, ISBN 0-425-06989-3 .
  42. TL Crenshaw, JP Goldberg: Sexual Pharmacology, Drugs that affect sexual functioning . WW Norton & Company, New York 1996, ISBN 0-393-70144-1 , pp. 374-375 .
  43. ^ A b M. E. Hadley: Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans . In: Peptides . 26, No. 10, October 2005, pp. 1687-1689. doi : 10.1016 / j.peptides.2005.01.023 . PMID 15996790 .
  44. a b S. H. King, AV Mayorov, P. Balse-Srinivasan, VJ Hruby, TW Vanderah, H. Wessells: Melanocortin receptors, melanotropic peptides and penile erection . In: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry . 2007. PMID 17584130 .
  45. H. Gelez, S. Poirier, P. Facchinetti, KA Allers, C. Wayman, J. Bernabé, L. Alexandre, F. Giuliano: Neuroanatomical distribution of the melanocortin-4 receptors in male and female rodent brain. . In: J Chem Neuroanat. . 40, No. 4, 2010, pp. 310-324. PMID 20884347 .
  46. Annette M. Shadiack, Shubh D. Sharma, Dennis C. Earle, Carl Spana, Trevor J. Hallam: Melanocortins in the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunction . In: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry . tape 7 , no. January 11 , 2007, p. 1137-1144 , PMID 17584134 .
  47. ^ Palatin Technologies Announces New Strategic objectives . Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  48. ^ RT Dorr, R. Lines, N. Levine et al .: Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study . In: Life Sci. . 58, No. 20, 1996, pp. 1777-1784. doi : 10.1016 / 0024-3205 (96) 00160-9 .
  49. H. Wessells, K. Fuciarelli, J. Hansen et al .: Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: Double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study . In: J. Urol. . 160, No. 2, 1998, pp. 389-393. doi : 10.1016 / S0022-5347 (01) 62903-3 .
  50. H. Wessells, N. Levine, ME Hadley, R. Dorr, V. Hruby: Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: Human studies with Melanotan II . In: Int. J. Impot. Res. . 12, No. 4, 2000, pp. S74-579. doi : 10.1038 / sj.ijir.3900582 .
  51. H. Hosseinzadeh, T. Ziaee, A. Sadeghi: The effect of saffron, Crocus sativus stigma, extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin on sexual behaviors in normal male rats. In: Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. Volume 15, Number 6-7, June 2008, ISSN  1618-095X , pp. 491-495, doi: 10.1016 / j.phymed.2007.09.020 , PMID 17962007 .
  52. A. Shamsa, H. Hosseinzadeh, M. Molaei, MT Shakeri, O. Rajabi: Evaluation of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on male erectile dysfunction: a pilot study. In: Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. Volume 16, Number 8, August 2009, ISSN  1618-095X , pp. 690-693, doi: 10.1016 / j.phymed.2009.03.008 , PMID 19427775 .
  53. TL Crenshaw, JP Goldberg: Sexual Pharmacology, Drugs that affect sexual functioning . WW Norton & Company, New York 1996, ISBN 0-393-70144-1 , pp. 416-418 .