Alcohol and Sex

In many ways, the relationship is very similar between levels of sexual enjoyment and alcohol comsumption.

Many people report that having a mixed drink or a glass or two of wine before becoming sexually intimate helps them relax and provides for a mild emotional loosening of inhibitions.

But at extremely high levels of alcohol consumption, the person doing the drinking is often sexually dysfunctional as a result. That's because alcohol, a powerful nervous system depressant, disables the natural sexual response of the autonomic nervous system and overrides the brain's cortical pleasure centers. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be sexually excited and extremely drunk at the same time.

The inverted U-curve, or bell curve, is a good graphical representation of the relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual arousal and enjoyment. Such a curve reflects that sexual enjoyment increases as alcohol consumption begins to rise from zero, but the trend soon reverses, with diminishing sexual returns from more than a drink or two.

Another unfortunate manifestation of excessive alcohol consumption is that it can affect moral judgment, which normally keeps more aggressive sexual urges in check.

A very large proportion of reported date rape incidents involve excessive alcohol use on the part of the male involved. Many times the female has also been drinking so heavily she cannot resist unwanted advances or even communicate her wishes.

The difficulty is that few of us know exactly how much alcohol is too much in these situations, leading to the adage that moderation is best. Of course, abstaining from alcohol doesn't preclude great sex, and there is no requirement that any alcohol be consumed to make sex enjoyable and satisfying.

Predictability and sameness in a person's sexual scenario can easily lead to boredom and lack of sexual excitement. However, while a little wine with sex may enhance novelty, it is important to stay in control and not go too far with alcohol.