Exploring the facts and revealing what’s fiction.

From the old testament to pop culture, the idea that alcohol is a magic potion has been around for quite some time. Widely believed that it loosens us up and gets us in the mood.

But does alcohol actually have an aphrodisiac effect? Is there some truth to ‘beer goggles’? Does drinking make your orgasm better and is whisky dick a real thing?

Here’s a look at how alcohol factually affects your sexual desire, arousal and performance.


Alcohol and how it affects vagina owners

Sexual Desire increases, sort of.

Drinking the good juice may boost arousal but it’s not guaranteed. Alcohol increases testosterone levels in females, the male sex hormone, which is what may lead to that level up in desire.

There’s also an element of expectation, a placebo or perhaps a self fulfilling prophecy. While alcohol does chemically lower inhibitions, it’s often associated with feeling good and confident, so if you think you’re going to get lucky when you’re drinking, you just might!

On the exact opposite hand though, one too many usually has a negative effect physiologically and decreases genital response. So it’s all about knowing yourself and your limits.

Getting sauced unfortunately does not equate to getting wet. Having a few feels like you’re hydrating but in fact, alcohol itself dehydrates the human body which makes it much harder for the female organ to hydrate down there. We suggest adding at last a splash of water to your drinks to solve this one.

Then when it comes to the big O, alcohol is the unlikeable leader in diminishing your chances of having a full on fabulous orgasm. This usually comes in the form of taking a much longer time to climax, and landing less intense orgasms too.



Now for those who have penises...

We’re very sad to confirm that “whiskey dick” is unfortunately a thing. And no it’s not just whiskey that does it, it’s all alcohol.

While Alcohol can affect your ability to get and maintain an erection, drinking too much on the regular can cause permanent damage and erectile dysfunction.

What is it about booze that messes with your boner? Well it decreases blood flow to your penis, it increases angiotensin which is a hormone linked to erectile dysfunction and it depresses your central nervous system. So all in all, it’s not looking good.

Alcohol also delays ejaculation which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. But excessive drinking can lead to not being able to ejaculate at all.

On the plus side, having as few drinks may make you a little hornier. But it’s a fine line for the penis owners, one drink will get you hot and heated but one too many and you won’t cross that finish line.

Another plus is that you may find yourself willing to take some frisky risks that you otherwise wouldn’t have. Remember when we spoke about Alcohol lowering our inhibitions? Well this can take the form of saying yes to some exploration in the bedroom, which is a yes from us, so long as it’s paired with protection and consent.



A couple other myths to debunk

Everyone is hot when you're drunk.
According to this study alcohol does seem to make people appear more attractive, particularly those who weren’t perceived as attractive to begin with. But it definitely comes down to alcohol affecting our cerebral cortex and yes, lowering our inhibitions.

Everyone processes alcohol in the same way
NOPE. Females and males absorb and metabolise alcohol differently.
Females typically have less body water than males, even if they weigh the same. With less water to dilute alcohol, females have higher concentrations of alcohol in their bloodstream
Basically, if you’re out with someone of the opposite sex and you drink the same amount, this doesn’t mean you’re both equally intoxicated.

A note about consent
No discussion of alcohol and sex is complete without mentioning consent.
Consent is a clear, voluntary agreement to take part in sexual activity. This includes all sexual activity, including: touching, kissing, oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex
Consent is essential before taking part in any kind of sexual activity so all involved are sure the sexual activity is wanted and agreed to.
If you’re not sure if you have someone’s consent, the answer is you don’t.
Alcohol can impair a person’s judgement, affect their ability to communicate clearly, and even make it hard to read what someone is trying to say or express. This can make it hard to have a straightforward convo about consent.
To make it easier and look at some ways to go about it.

Verbal consent
The best way to ensure you have consent is to straight up ask. You can be direct and name or describe the act you’re talking about, like, “Can I kiss/go down on you?” or you can ask them what they want to do.
You can also talk about what you both want beforehand and set clear boundaries and expectations. Be sure to check in during, too, by asking if they’re still into it and before moving on to another sexual act.
Remember that you can both change your mind and withdraw consent at any time, even during the sexual encounter.

Nonverbal consent
Body language, including facial expressions and hand gestures, can be used to give consent.
Make sure it’s obvious, enthusiastic, and clear before and during any sexual activity. This is especially important when there’s alcohol involved, since drinking can make things fuzzy and impair a person’s judgement.
Some examples are nodding your head to say yes or shaking your head to say no. Pulling someone closer to you can indicate consent, while pushing someone away or turning away from them shows you don’t consent.
If someone appears uncomfortable or you’re not sure, you need to stop what you’re doing and ask verbally. Consent should be obvious and enthusiastic, even if no words are used.

Intoxication vs Incapacitation
Understanding the difference between these 2 are incredibly important when talking about sex & alcohol.
An intoxicated person can still give consent, as long as they are able to make informed decisions but also baring in mind that alcohol does impair our judgement. Signs of intoxication include : slurred speech, stumbling or wobbling when walking, exaggerated emotions or gestures.
An incapacitated person cannot give consent. Incapacitation includes speaking incoherently, not being able to walk without assistance, confusion, unconsciousness.

In conclusion
While most of us want to be drunk in love, the reality is most likely going to be waking up in the kitchen thinking how the hell did this shit happen.
But the age old saying ‘everything in moderation’ really comes into play here. All you have to do is yourself, your limit when it comes to drinking, stay hydrated, keep consent and protection top of mind and you’ll be ok.

Less is more when it comes to alcohol and sex, less alcohol - more sex, that is.

xxx