/oss/taxonomy/term/409/all en /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/does-peeing-after-sex-prevent-utis <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in</em> <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-fact-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-i/" target="_blank" title="‌"><em>The Skeptical Inquirer.</em></a></p> Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:17:37 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9597 at /oss /oss/article/history-general-science/want-cuddle-personality-likely-get-you-further-oxytocin <p>Why do people cuddle? According to a slew of media reports, that answer lies in oxytocin, dubbed either the “cuddle chemical” or the “love hormone.” English pharmacologist and neurophysiologist Sir Henry Hallett Dale was the first to isolate oxytocin from pituitary extract in 1921, eventually receiving the 1936 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology for the discovery. Dale’s work on oxytocin was prompted by his interest in the ergot fungus, extracts of which had a long history of use for stimulating the contractions of the pregnant uterus. The question was why.</p> Fri, 10 Dec 2021 21:34:54 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8948 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/spanish-fly-really-aphrodisiac <p>The extract contains cantharidin,  a substance that supposedly increases sexual desire. Not only does it not do that, it may eliminate all desire permanently. When ingested, cantharidin can kill. But when used in small doses topically, it can be an effective treatment for warts. </p> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 23:24:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8943 at /oss /oss/article/health-history/kiss-death-almost <p>An Italian lady showed up at a clinic complaining of generalized itching and swelling of her lips about 30 minutes after making love with her husband. The reaction disappeared after treatment with cetirizine (Reactine). Tests showed that she had no food allergies. Doctors finally traced the symptoms to kissing her husband during lovemaking! Actually, the problem wasn't the kissing, one would assume that this activity occurred on numerous occasions without triggering the symptoms. This time though the husband had taken an antibiotic, bacampicillin, about two hours earlier.</p> Wed, 04 Aug 2021 20:11:04 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8797 at /oss /oss/article/health/facts-and-myths-male-fertility-tight-underwear-hot-tubs-marijuana-and-more <p> </p> <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in</em><span> </span><a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/facts-and-myths-of-male-fertility-tight-underwear-hot-tubs-marijuana-and-more/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a></p> Wed, 26 Aug 2020 17:46:06 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 8379 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition/phenylethylamine-chemical-love <p>The aphrodisiac story of chocolate is an ancient one, going back all the way to 1519 and the first visit of the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes to Mexico. Cortes found much to his liking here, in particular the Aztec princess Dona Marina. Apparently the affection was returned because the princess introduced Cortes to a drink made from the pods of a tree which the Aztecs called "chocolatl," or "food of the gods." The concoction was also laced with dried chili peppers, and as Dona Marina said, would "stimulate amorous adventures."</p> Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:22:50 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8110 at /oss /oss/article/health-general-science/they-say-its-genetic-my-parents-dont-have-it <p>When we’re told a condition we have is “genetic”, it’s tempting to think it means our parents had it, and their parents before them, all the way up to some mysterious Eve-bites-the-apple event. But if you’re told you have muscular dystrophy and your parents don’t have it, what’s going on? A trip to IKEA may help answer that.</p> Tue, 11 Jun 2019 15:18:12 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 7795 at /oss /oss/article/how-you-can-save-your-child-some-cancers <p>That’s right, there is a vaccine against cancer, and it’s been on the market since 2006. This vaccine protects against the most dangerous types of human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus often referred to as HPV.</p> Wed, 17 Apr 2019 13:00:00 +0000 Alexandre Grant, OSS Contributor 7712 at /oss /oss/article/health-history/can-women-ejaculate-depends-who-you-ask <hr /> <p class="note"><strong>Take-home message:</strong><br /> -Women have an organ analogous to the male prostate that is able to produce a liquid that can be ejaculated upon orgasm. Not all women produce ejaculate.<br /> -The scientific study of female ejaculation and the female prostate has been greatly hindered by bad science, cultural taboos and sexism.</p> Tue, 11 Sep 2018 15:45:40 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7345 at /oss /oss/article/general-science/happy-birthday-viagra <p>Twenty years ago last month, a medication called sildenafil was approved by the FDA. It is perhaps better known by its brand name of Viagra. Very few medications have enjoyed such widespread pop-culture attention. Sildenafil was mentioned in numerous TV shows, <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1998/dec/12/business/fi-53139">was endorsed by actors and politicians like Bob Dole</a>, and was the subject of a huge marketing campaign. In the early 2000’s it was almost impossible to watch TV without seeing a Viagra ad.</p> Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:30:30 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 6990 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/rabbits-reproduction-and-making-mochi-moon <p><span>Rabbits have an undoubtedly important association with Easter, but they’ve played important roles in many societies through the ages. </span></p> Sun, 01 Apr 2018 15:56:09 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 6986 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-food-health-news/apples-and-sex <p>Did Eve eat an apple to have a better sex life with Adam? One might come to that conclusion after reading a paper published in the Archives of Gynaecology and Obstetrics with the alluring title “Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.” Indeed one might come to that conclusion if one ignores the poor quality of the paper as well as the fact that the Bible never mentions an apple as being the fruit of the tree of knowledge.</p> Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:38:17 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2174 at /oss /oss/article/uncategorized/bisphenol-and-sexual-dysfunction <p>One thing is for sure. Headline writers last week must have been thrilled by the study that linked exposure to bisphenol A with sexual dysfunction in Chinese men. “Study a real downer.” “Hard plastic has a soft side” I think I could come up with some. How about “The Rise and Fall of bisphenol A” or “Chemical Unglues Chinese Glue Producers.” To be sure, any study that hits men below the belt can be expected to cause concern, except perhaps among writers who see an opportunity to rise to the occasion and show off their wit.</p> Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:40:33 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1609 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-news/watermelon-and-sex <p>“Watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may even increase libido.” When a major university, such as Texas A&M, puts out a press release with such a claim, it is guaranteed to get a great deal of media response.</p> Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:56:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1656 at /oss /oss/article/health-you-asked/what-horny-goat-weed <p>Could there be a better name for a purported aphrodisiac than “Horny Goat Weed?” Well, it’s out there, you can find it in health food stores. Whether it really is an aphrodisiac or not is a different question. What we do know is that the Chinese have been using preparations made from this plant for millennia and claim that it is the real deal. According to the legend, a Chinese goat herder was once puzzled as to why sometimes his animals would engage in incessant sexual activity. Was it something they ate?</p> Fri, 16 Nov 2012 02:13:44 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1784 at /oss