An anaphrodisiac produces the opposite effect of an aphrodisiac.
An anaphrodisiac is an antiaphrodisiac : that is, a substance that, due to its composition, manages to eradicate or reduce sexual desire . It may be, for example, a bromide or a hypnotic ingredient .
The term aphrodisiac comes from Aphrodite , the name by which the Greek feminine divinity that is associated with love, fertility and spring energy is still recognized today. Nowadays, this is the name given to substances that, whether due to real evidence or popular beliefs, incite and increase sexual desire .
Anaphrodisiacs and aphrodisiacs
Unlike anaphrodisiacs, there are foods and plants that promote arousal. In some cases it works by sensual association, with phallic symbols such as cucumber or banana (fruit also known as plantain ) or with vaginal symbols such as clams or oysters .
Other substances are considered aphrodisiacs because they have the ability to generate congestion and itching of the vaginal mucosa , which is confused with sexual arousal. These products can be ingested, as is the case with boric acid , or rubbed on the genitals, as some people use ginger and mustard .
Centrally acting substances are also often referred to when it comes to options that are taken into account as tools to achieve an uninhibited state, as is the case with certain medications , certain hormones or alcoholic beverages . Chocolate , for its part, has central-level xanthines that act as neurotransmitters that stimulate excitement.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there are substances that produce excitement through means analogous to sexual ones, such as perfumes and fragrances .
The effects
The effects of an anaphrodisiac are opposite to those caused by aphrodisiac substances since, instead of provoking desire, it inhibits it or can even make it disappear.
The effect that anaphrodisiacs cause on an organism is to inhibit libido and desire and can be caused by certain foods, excess nicotine or alcohol in the blood, a consequence of a high dose of cocaine or heroin; Also the consumption of certain antidepressants (such as lithium ) can contribute to this reaction. But it can also be the product of some internal process , totally uprooted from the type of diet or habits, such as a situation of stress, fear or anxiety . A man's overexcitement can also function as an anaphrodisiac for his partner.
The water lily flower was considered anaphrodisiac.
Examples of anaphrodisiacs
Examples of anaphrodisiacs are varied. There have been many beliefs around these compounds, some based on science , others based only on tradition and popular beliefs. A 16th century doctor from Spain , Andrés de Laguna , stated that the flower and root of the water lily were capable of repressing and stopping venereal dreams and, when consumed daily, could make a man's sexual desires disappear.
Other anaphrodisiacs are lettuce , which stops dreams and represses the desire to fornicate, as Dioscorides said; acetylsalicylic acid (present in aspirin), which eliminates cravings by working as a sedative; and hops (present in lupulin), which also has sleeping and sedative effects. It should be noted that in the Middle Ages hops were used to calm sexual overexcitement in boys.
The desire
It is important to remember that desire is generated in our brain , according to the ability to flow and concentrate on the pleasure and sensations it allows, the success of the sexual act will be greater or lesser.
The mind is the axis where our actions begin and end, just as it can be responsible for allowing us moments of intense pleasure , it can also be the best boycotter of the sexual act. Especially when you are under the influence of certain substances, or are dedicated to reinforcing emotions of fear, anxiety or anguish . Keeping in mind those causes that can lead to a decrease or total inhibition of desire could help us feel more fulfilled with ourselves.