Some drugs may release sexual inhibitions, trigger sexual desires you already have or improve sexual aspects of lovemaking. If we change the definition of aphrodisiacs to include these effects, some drugs - most obviously alcohol and marijuana - may be seen as aphrodisiacs. Rather than being a sexual "turn on," alcohol merely acts on the brain to "knock out" control mechanisms. With this change, you are likely to interpret your relaxed inhibitions as an increase in desire. In fact, all these drugs do is allow pre-existing tendencies - sexual or otherwise - to become more evident.

Alcohol is probably the best known and the most widely used drug taken to help sexual activities. Its effects are even noted in a classic line from William Shakespeare's Macbeth. When asked what drinking causes, a character replies, "Lechery, sire, it provokes and stimulates; it provokes the desire but takes away from the performance." This short statement announces both the beginning and the end of alcohol as an aphrodisiac. In small amounts, it reduces sexual inhibitions. In larger amounts, it can produce unusual sexual behavior and sexual promiscuity.

Not only does alcohol knock out brain centers that inhibit sexual inhibitions, but it also dilates (opens up) surface blood vessels. This dilation allows more blood to come to the surface of the body, giving an experience of warmth and well being. It takes about 45 minutes to two hours for all the alcohol to be absorbed. Inexperienced drinkers may drink too much before they feel the full effect.

The effects of alcohol on sexual functioning vary according to the amount consumed. After small amounts, men typically experience fewer inhibitions, feelings of warmth, increased desire, more enjoyment of foreplay and a better orgasm.

Alcohol might raise the level of desire by reducing inhibitions, aggression is also released. Alcohol is typically involved in rape. Psychological studies show that about half of the men convicted of rape were drinking immediately prior to. The inhibition of their aggressive impulses - once released by alcohol - can lead to sexual aggressiveness.

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