According to DigoPaul, anaphrodisiac is defined as antiaphrodisiacs, that is, those substances that by their composition manage to eradicate or decrease 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 is still recognized today, which is associated with love, fertility and spring energy. Today, this is the name given to substances that, either by real evidence or popular belief, incite and increase sexual desire.
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 banana) or with vaginal symbols such as clams or oysters.
Other substances are considered aphrodisiacs because they have the capacity to generate congestion and itching of the vaginal mucosa, which is confused with sexual excitement. These products can be ingested, as it happens with boric acid, or rubbed on the genitals, use that some people give to ginger and mustard.
It is also often spoken of centrally acting substances when it comes to options that are considered as tools to achieve an uninhibited state, as occurs with certain medications, certain hormones or alcoholic beverages. The chocolate, meanwhile, has xanthine central level which act as neurotransmitters that stimulate arousal.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there are substances that produce excitement through analogous routes to sexual ones, such as perfumes and fragrances.
An anaphrodisiac, therefore, will have opposite effects to those caused by all these substances mentioned above, since instead of provoking desire, it inhibits it or may even make it disappear.
The effect that anaphyrodisiacs cause in an organism is to inhibit libido and desire and it can be caused by certain foods, excess of nicotine or alcohol in the blood, 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. Overexcitation of a man can also function as an anaphrodisiac for his partner.
Many beliefs have existed around these compounds, some based on science, others only based on tradition and popular beliefs. A 16th century Spanish doctor, Andrés de Laguna, affirmed that the flower and the root of the water lily were capable of suppressing and stopping venereal dreams and in daily consumption could make sexual desires disappear in a man.
Other anaphrodisiacs are lettuce, which cuts off dreams and suppresses the desire to fornicate, as Dioscorides said; the acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin present) eliminates desires to running 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 overexcitation in boys.
It is important to remember that desire is generated in our brain, according to the ability to flow and focus on pleasure and the sensations it allows, the success of the sexual act will be greater or less. The mind is the axis where our acts 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 he is under the effect of certain substances, or is 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 fuller with ourselves.
