In general drug abuse has several implications on health. Since drug abuse for sexual enhancement is also another type of drug abused, they are known to be associated with several implications which include:
- Brain defect: Drug abuse used for sexual enhancement flood the brains reward centre with the neurotransmitter dopamine in amount that are 2 to 10 times greater than those released during pleasurable activities. With continued use, brain chemistry changes and more of the drug is needed to produce the same euphoric experience. With some drugs, more is needed just to feel normal which leads to compulsive drug use. Long-term drug abuse used for sexual enhancement affects brain functioning causing memory loss, learning difficulties and impaired judgment. Drug used as sexual enhancement shrinks the brain over time and increase the risk for dementia (Leigh, 2010).
- Respiratory defects: Inhaling drugs used for sexual enhancement cause coughing, chronic bronchitis, and worsen asthma, in addition, they disrupt the drive to breathe and may cause respiratory arrest (Leigh, 2010).
- Digestive problem: Drugs abuse resulting from substances used as sexual enhancement cause a wide range of damaging digestive system effects, including acid reflux, liver cirrhosis and inflammation of the stomach and pancreas. They can also lead to painful gastric ulcers and damaging reductions in blood flow to the intestines due to powerful blood vessel constriction (Leigh, 2010).
- Cardiovascular disease: Most abused substances used for sexual enhancement are found to have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system by slowing or disrupting the heart rate to the point of death which can cause life threatening effects, including an irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stroke and cardiac arrest (Leigh and Stall, 2013).
References
Leigh B. (2010). The Relationship of substance use during sex to high risk sexual behaviour.Journal of Sex Research, 27,199-213.
Leigh, B.C. & Stall, R. (2013). Substance use and risky sexual behaviour for exposure to HIV: Issues in methodology, interpretation, and prevention. American Psychologist, 48(10),30-35.
