Sophronia L. Gallop
-
1. Name the parts of the eye, ears, etc.
-
____
a. What is the disease affecting the eye
-
2. What glands and hormonal effect do the senses formulate and function for the body?
-
3. Where are they located?
-
4. Name the glands (hormones) found in the five senses.
Foods and Chemicals
Up to this point we have considered the impact of hormones, brain processes, and sensory input on human sexual arousal. There are other factors, though, that may affect a person’s arousability in a particular situation. Some of these directly affect the physiology of arousal; other can have a strong impact on a person’s sexuality through the power of belief. In the paragraphs that follow, I will examine the effects of a number of products people use to attempt to heighten or reduce sexual arousal.
Aphrodisiacs: Do They Work? An aphrodisiac (named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty) is a substance that supposedly arouses sexual desire or increases a person’s capacity for sexual activities.
Almost from the beginning of time, people have searched for magic potions and other agents able to revive flagging erotic interest or produce Olympic sexual performances. That many have reported finding such sexual stimulants bears testimony, once again, to the powerful role played by the mind in human Sexual activity. I will just consider a variety of foods that have been held to possess aphrodisiac qualities, then turn our attention to other alleged sexual stimulants, including alcohol and an assortment of chemical substances.
Foods. almost any food that resembles the male external genitals has, at one time or another, been viewed as an aphrodisiac. Many of us have heard the jokes about oysters, although, for some a belief in the special properties of this particular shellfish is no joking matter. One wonders to what extent the oyster industry profits from this persuasive myth. Other foods sometimes considered aphrodisiacs include bananas, celery, tomatoes, and potatoes. Particularly in Asian countries, there is a widespread belief that the ground-up horns of animals such as rhinoceros and reindeer are powerful sexual stimulants. Have you ever used the term “horny” to describe a sexual state? Now you know its origin.
A number of drugs are also commonly thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Some of these are discussed in the appendix.
Alcohol. More has been written about the supposed stimulant properties of alcohol than about any other presumed aphrodisiac substance. In our culture there is widespread belief in the erotic enhancement properties of alcoholic beverages.
A recent study has revealed that alcohol consumption may inhibit a person’s ability to consciously suppress sexual arousal. In this investigation, male college students were told to try as hard as they could to suppress sexual arousal while listening to an audiotape that describe an explicit sexual experience. some of the subjects were sober and some were under the influence of alcohol when they listened to the tape.
Drugs and other chemicals. Perhaps the most famous drug to be an aphrodisiac is cantharides, also known as “Spanish fly.” This substance is derived from the ground-up bodies of a species of beetle found in southern Europe. Taken internally, it travels to the bladder and is excreted in the urine. It acts as a powerful irritant, causing acute inflammation of the lining of the bladder and urethra as it passes our of the body. This stimulation of genital structures has resulted in the widespread reputation of cantharides as an aphrodisiac. In reality, “Spanish fly” can be extremely painful to people of both sexes, producing effects ranging from mild irritation to extensive tissue destruction and even death, depending on the dose. It is completely useless as a sexual stimulant, and its dangerous side effects make it a substance to be avoided.
Marijuana has also been widely extolled for its sexual enhancement properties. It acts similarly to alcohol to reduce inhibitions. In addition, marijuana may increase empathy with others, distort time perception (often with the resulting illusion of prolonged arousal and orgasm), and increase suggestibility—all of which may act independently or in combination to produce a sense of heightened sexual ecstasy. A number of studies have revealed that a majority of males and females who have combined marijuana use with sexual expression report that the drug enhances their sexual pleasure.
Cocaine, a drug extracted from the leaves of the coca shrub, is a powerful central nervous system stimulant reputed by some to be an aphrodisiac. It is usually taken either by injection or sniffing (“snorting”). Some users claim it induces an immediate “orgasm-like rush.” Others report that orgasms increase in frequency and intensity while a person is under its influence. However, as with all drugs previously discussed, there is no legitimate biological evidence establishing cocaine as an aphrodisiac. Any reported improvements generally belong to the “loosening of inhibitions” or “enhancement of well-being” categories. Recent evidence suggests that frequent use of cocaine may have a number of negative effects upon sexual function, including reduced vaginal lubrication, inhibited erectile response, and diminished sexual interest.
Barbiturates (commonly called “barbs” or “downers”), used in the treatment of a variety of mental and physical conditions, may subjectively enhance sexual pleasure in some individuals by lessening inhibitions in a way similar to alcohol.
In view of the evidence many of the commonly held beliefs about aphrodisiacs, why do so many people around the world swear by the effects of a little powdered rhino horn, that special meal of oysters and banana salad,, or the marijuana cigarette before an evening’s dalliance? The answer lies in faith and suggestion—these are the ingredients frequently present when aphrodisiac claims surface. If a person believes something will improve his or her own life, this faith is often translated into the subjective enhancement of sexual pleasure. From this perspective, literally anything has the potential of serving as a Sexual stimulant.