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Sex Under the Influence

Drugs and alcohol can have a huge impact on sexuality. Different substances have different effects. Here are some of them:

Alcohol

Many people use alcohol to �loosen up.� Indeed, alcohol lowers one�s inhibitions, which allows people to feel less guilty about their activities. Studies have shown, however, that alcohol will not make people do things they would not normally consider doing while in a sober state of mind, except that alcohol increases the chances of stumbling, falling, crashing cars and making other blunders. Alcohol gives people a little more courage to do what they desire, and less aware of what they are doing. But, alcohol is NOT an excuse for one�s actions.

When used responsibly, sex and alcohol can go together. However, there are many dangers in using alcohol in sexual situations. The following table shows the statistics gathered by the Harvard School of Public Health on binge drinking by college students:

Non-binge DrinkersBingersFrequent Bingers
Did something the regretted later14%37%63%
Forgot where they were or what they did8%26%54%
Engaged in unplanned sexual activity8%20%41%
Had unprotected sex4%10%22%

Clearly, alcohol has some negative effects on students� decision making. Here are some suggestions on how to combat this:

  1. Have a plan before going out drinking. Make sure you and your friends know your intentions for the night. If you are sure you do not want to have sex that night, ask your friends to make sure you follow through.
  2. Stay with your friends. They can't help you if you go off on your own.
  3. If you intend to find a sex partner for the evening, make sure you are prepared. In other words, have some condoms on hand.
  4. Be aware of the amount of alcohol you are drinking. Remember that hard liquor will have a much greater effect on you than beer. Excessive drinking can lead to blackouts.
  5. Keep an eye on your glass. Many people have had rohypnol or other rape drugs slipped into their drink. It takes only a split second for this to happen, so be mindful. See more on date rape drugs.

Marijuana

Marijuana, i.e. "Mary Jane," reefer, pot, hashish, dope, cannabis, weed, grass�it's all the same. Whether you smoke a joint, take a hit from a bong, or eat special brownies, you are ingesting some form of this illegal recreational drug. As popular as this drug is, people often don't know most of the effects it can have on the user.

Basics

Marijuana is made from a mixture of buds, leaves, and flowering tops of the hemp plant which grows in warm climates throughout the world. While the drug preparation and storage greatly affects its level of potency, it usually contains some several hundred active chemicals. Of these many chemicals, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the one credited as having the greatest affect on the user. THC produces a variety of hallucinogenic, depressant, and stimulant effects. Users report a range of feelings while under the influence of the drug, varying from joy and relaxation, to suspicion and irritation. The "high" produced by marijuana causes physical changes such as reddening of the eyes, fast heartbeat, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, dizziness, and increased appetite.

Effects on the Body

Rumors have it that marijuana has relatively few adverse side-effects on the body, but these are not completely true. With its high intoxication potential, it does have relatively low dependency potential and low risk of organ damage or death. At the same time, the consequences of marijuana (even if low) should not be ignored. It has negative effects on memory - information learned while smoking or recently before smoking is easily forgotten, which is why chronic smokers are at a disadvantage at school and at work. Using marijuana with especially high potencies can be quite dangerous. High levels of THC can cause panic attacks, similar to those produced by hallucinogenic drugs, and the users can feel like they are losing their minds. There are indications that regular marijuana smoking may lead to lung disease and lung cancer. Smoking marijuana reduces the ability to expel air from the lungs even more than tobacco smoke does - this could be in part due to the fact that marijuana contains more tar and benzopyrene than tobacco smoke. As well, it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. Once a tolerance is built up and the drug is taken away, users may experience withdrawal symptoms of restlessness, irritability, and flu-like symptoms.

Effects on Sexuality

Perhaps part of the appeal of marijuana is its rumored aphrodisiac qualities. Marijuana has the reputed effect of elevating mood and arousal and stimulating sexual activity. Just think of the common stereotype of the "sex-crazed, dope-fiend" - the use of marijuana has been quite eroticized. In reality, sex under the influence of marijuana isn't always so romantic. While the drug does enhance mood and reduce inhibitions, much in the way that alcohol does, it also plays quite fickly with libido. Some claim that it substantially increases sexual desire: "My sexual drive goes up when stoned; I have more need for sex." Others experience the converse effect: "I have much less sexual drive when stoned; it's difficult to arouse me even in a situation which would normally arouse me." As well, many users fall between the two extremes: "I have no increase in sexual feelings unless it's a situation that I would normally be sexually aroused in, and then the sexual feelings are much stronger." Smokers and their partners (who may or may not be smokers) also experience different reactions to using pot during intercourse. There are some that claim a greater bond between partners, claiming marijuana facilitates a more beautiful, spiritual connection: "It may be a turn-on toward an aura of gentleness, sensitivity, and glow." The flip side to this is that lovers feel that marijuana takes each one of them into his or her own personal space and distances them: "It creates a separating, fuzzy, dreamlike quality that diffuses the reality of sex." In regards to the rumors that marijuana heightens sexual climax, much scientific research seems to discredit that. Marijuana may distort the time sense, with the resulting illusion of prolonged arousal and orgasm. Chronic marijuana smokers do show signs of infertility - men may have lower sperm counts and women may have abnormal ovulation (but this does not mean that marijuana is effective in preventing pregnancy, marijuana is not a contraceptive!). As well, marijuana is believed to inhibit testosterone synthesis in males. The use of marijuana while pregnant can be quite damaging to the health of the fetus. Because THC crosses the placental barrier, smoking increases the risk of pregnancy loss, birth defects, and retardation of fetal growth and development.

References:

Ecstasy

Definition Ecstasy:

Intense joy or delight; A state of emotion so intense that one is carried beyond rational thought and self-control; The trance, frenzy, or rapture associated with mystic or prophetic exaltation.

With a name like this, it's no wonder why so many people are eager to try those little pills and ride the "rush" of X. MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or ex (X) is an illegal recreational drug that has only appeared on the streets in the last two decades. Although an illicit drug, MDMA maintains great popularity among college students and "new age spiritual seekers," perhaps due to its reputable psychological safety (ease of control) and euphoric effects. But life on X isn't all bliss and pleasure - there are dangers to even this entranced, psychedelic drug.

Effects on the Body

One of the great appeals of MDMA is the drug's ability to change ones mood and energy. X's high, referred to by many users as the "rush," is said to be better than the high produced by cocaine. At the same time, X's rush can bring on anxiety, paranoid thinking, confusion, stomach tightness, and/or mild nausea. MDMA negatively affects the serotonin levels and degenerates nerve terminals in certain areas of the brain. Because of this "neurotoxicity," users may experience chronic depression after coming down from the "rush" (this finding is still being researched). While this may not be scientifically proven, many users do feel that life after ecstasy isn't really all that ecstatic compared to the high that the drug gave them. Ecstasy can have some very serious consequences attached to it, including death, many of which are results of temperature regulation. The body cannot sweat under the drug's influence which can cause heat stroke, or if the user tries to remedy the problem by drinking a lot of water, it can cause hyponatermia or "water intoxication." MDMA - especially the repeated use of MDMA - increases your heart rate and blood pressure, and it is associated with such severe outcomes as kidney failure, liver failure, heart attack, and impairment in learning and memory (which may be permanent).

Effects on Sexuality

MDMA, a "people drug" or the "Love Drug," is said to enhance closeness and communication. Some users think of X as a "social lubricant to be shared with a lover or close friends." This loving, emotional response produced by MDMA may be the reason why it is so often thought of as an aphrodisiac. This is mostly false. While MDMA does enhance sensual pleases (touching, physical closeness, etc.) it diminishes sexual pleasures. While MDMA may help in reducing inhibitions, thus facilitating sexual encounters, it also tampers with the workings of the sexual response. Both partners can encounter lack of lubrication while under the effect of the drug due to dehydration. As well, studies have found that MDMA interferes with erections and usually inhibits orgasms for both men and women. Some might see the delay of male orgasm as an advantage, as he would have an erection for a long period of time, allowing the couple to have a kind of sexual marathon. At the same time, MDMA has been associated with risk taking behavior (multiple sex partners, unprotected sex, etc.).

Still interested in learning more about ecstasy? Be sure to check out this site, which is the website of a non profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about the dangers of the drug ecstasy. It has all kinds of information such as new scientific developments regarding the drug, other countries policies on its use, and much more, so go check it out!

Antidepressants

Many people in the world today are clinically depressed, and require antidepressant drugs to combat their illness. These drugs come in many different forms, each of which may have an effect on the user�s sexuality. Some positive side effects include feeling happy enough to desire sex again. Unfortunately, there are some pretty common negative side effects, which include problems with sexual desire (libido), lack of interest in sex, and trouble achieving orgasm. These problems can effect both males and females.

SSRIs - these drugs, short for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, boost the levels of serotonin in the brain. This increase in serotonin activity is what may cause sexual dysfunction. According to some studies, up to 73% of SSRI users report at least one sexual side effect. Prozac (Fluoxetine), Paxil, and Zoloft (Sertraline), have been shown to have the greatest risk of any of the antidepressant drugs to have sexual dysfunction associated with them. Also, SSRIs have not been found to have any significant effect on pregnancies.

TCAs- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), were the first antidepressants invented. They work by blocking neurotransmitters and increasing their local concentration. In some studies, Zyban or Wellbutrin (Bupropion) has been shown to have the fewest unwanted side effects related to sexual satisfaction, and may even reverse the sexual side effects that are caused by other medications. TCAs have not been shown to have any significant effect on pregnancies.

MAOIs- The MAOI drugs slow down the breakdown of norepinephrine and serotonin, making more of these brain chemicals available. These drugs have been shown to cause sexual dysfunction, though not to the extent of SSRIs. Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should NOT take MAOIs, because they may cause birth defects.

If you are taking any of the antidepressants that produce sexual dysfunction, it is important to talk to your doctor and your partner. If your partner does not understand the effect of the drugs, it can lead him or her to feel inadequate, or unable to arouse you. Open communication is the key to avoiding this kind of misunderstanding. Additionally, talking to your doctor may help locate the cause of the sexual problem, as well as finding solutions to it. Oftentimes, a different type of antidepressant drug may work better for you.

Hot new tip: Another approach to preventing SSRI-related sex problems may be to take the herb ginkgo biloba at the same time. In a recent study published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, 63 people experiencing sexual side effects from SSRIs, TCAs and MAOIs took ginkgo extract. Ninety-one percent of the women and 76 percent of the men noted improvement in sexual functioning.

References:

Created November 19, 2009