Alcohol may seem like an odd choice for a favorite sexual wellness food, but there is some interesting evidence to support our unusual inclusion. Alcohol is often so summarily rejected when discussing healthy lifestyles, partly because of all of the health issues that can accompany its abuse. But responsible adults can include alcohol as part of a sexually healthy diet, and in moderation, some studies have shown that it may even help you live a longer life (Holahan, 2010).
No one would argue that alcohol lowers our inhibitions. Phrases like “Beer Goggles” only come about because they occur often enough to become a cliché. Things can get very passionate very quickly between sexual partners whenever there is alcohol involved. Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not advocating the use of alcohol as a first-choice aphrodisiac, but I think it’s not honest to ignore it either. Most humans have inherent insecurities. Although most of us work on expanding ourselves and growing emotionally, there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving ourselves a hand either. Ever since mankind has been aware of sugar cane and how it ferments, we have produced alcohol by fermenting fruits and grains with yeast (Bush 1974). To deny our mutual interest in alcohol would be denying our humanness.
As Christian Rätsch lucidly explains:
The euphoria caused by the consumption of a given quantity of alcohol presumably correlates with the release of endorphins triggered by the effect of the alcohol activating the endocrine system (Verbey and Blum 1979). It should also be noted that the first metabolite of alcohol, acetaldehyde, interacts with dopamine and enzymes producing morphine-like substances that lead to alcohol addiction (Davis and Walsh 1970). Most likely, drinking alcohol produces psychoactive beta-carbolines (tetrahydroharmine, harmine) that generate the characteristic mood-elevating effect.
With all of these pleasure-inducing effects, it’s difficult to deny that alcohol could have a positive effect on our love lives. But, for alcohol to be an effective aphrodisiac, it all depends on quantity taken. For light and occasional drinkers, just one or two glasses of wine, shots of liquor, or cans of beer have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Go beyond that light level of intoxication, and the opposite can happen. We start to feel numb and our inhibitions often get lowered to the point of making bad decisions. As responsible, healthy adults, it’s up to use to find that happy place where we can feel the positive effects of alcohol, without overdoing it and numbing ourselves.
Also, it probably doesn’t need to be said that in small amounts, alcohol may actually help achieve and maintain erections and increase vaginal lubrication because of how it can lower stress and ease anxiety in those imbibing. But get past that magical euphoric level of consumption, and things start to soften and dry out.
Even more interesting, is that for women, further research published in 2009 in the Journal of Sexual Health has indicated that drinking one to two glasses of red wine a day actually causes the fairer sex to rev up their sex drives and increase their libido than those who don’t drink at all. they mentioned that men who drink modestly may also feel an increase in desire, but not as much as women. Perhaps even more controversial, is the researchers conclusion that men may actually have an easier time of achieving an erection when they consume a small amount of alcohol.
Once the pistons are firing, alcohol may make it easier for some to take that first big step. They don’t call it “liquid courage” for nothing. By lowering inhibitions, alcohol has been credited for assisting the socially awkward in getting past the bumbling introduction and into scoring position for centuries.
However, these desired effects come only with moderation. Once one starts to overindulge, negative consequences result. Women may find too much alcohol can make it harder to become aroused and/or achieve orgasm, and men may see their libido – and their erections – fall flat.
Another very curious alcohol aphrodisiac is Absinthe, also known as the Green Fairy. In the late nineteenth century, when absinthe was at its peak of popularity, poets and painters swarmed to absinthe as part of their creative process, and celebrated the Green Fairy as an passionate, potent, and visionary aphrodisiac. The main psychoactive in Absinthe is Wormwood, which contains the active alkaloid Thujone. Absinthe was banned in 1922 in Europe due to “overwhelming abuse”, but a different reading of Absinthe laws made it possible to sell Absinthe in the USA again around 2007. If you’re interested in giving this curious aphrodisiac a try, make sure you buy a brand made in Europe that actually contains Thujone.
Either way, there are countless artists and writers and filmmakers who have been moved by the spirit of Absinthe. Take some time to watch the spectacle of a film called Moulin Rouge“, and you will get an idea of what Absinthe intoxication might look and feel like.
As our regular readers know, we have a panel of 32 expert volunteers, four of which are M.D’s, who have helped craft every supplement and formulation we offer here at Sextracts Sexual Wellness. That includes the sometimes strange and unusual medical books, herbal books, and alternative medicine books we bring to the discussions. This would qualify as one of those exceptions to the rule, as we all enjoy a glass of wine during any romantic evening with a loved one. Everything in moderation is the key to a happy and healthy life.
REFERENCES:
Bush, Patricia J. 1980. Drugs, Alcohol, and Sex. New York: Richard Marek.
Holahan, Charles J., Kathleen K. Schutte, Penny L. Brennan, Carole K. Holahan, Bernice S. Moos, and Rudolf H. Moos. “Late-Life Alcohol Consumption and 20-Year Mortality.” Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 34.11 (2010): 1961-971
Holahan, Charles J., Kathleen K. Schutte, Penny L. Brennan, Rebecca J. North, Carole K. Holahan, Bernice S. Moos, and Rudolf H. Moos. “Wine Consumption and 20-Year Mortality Among Late-Life Moderate Drinkers.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 73.1 (2012): 80-88.
Rätsch, Christian, and Claudia Müller-Ebeling. The Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs: Psychoactive Substances for Use in Sexual Practices. Rochester, VT: Park Street, 2013.
Vereby, Karl, and Kenneth Blum. 1979. Alcohol euphoria: Possible mediation via endophinergic mechanisms. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 11 (4): 305– 11.
Walker, Morton. Sexual Nutrition: How to Nutritionally Improve, Enhance, and Stimulate Your Sexual Appetite. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Pub. Group, 1994.
