Neil Cavuto and I discussed research studies which are funded by the stimulus package, and we unintentionally wore matching outfits. For more on the topic (stimulus funding, not our outfits) please read my blog post from yesterday.

I will be appearing on Neil Cavuto’s Your World on The Fox News Channel today to discuss whether it is appropriate for our government to fund this research.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) released a list of over 6,000 studies it will be supporting with funds from the stimulus package, also known as the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). While the vast majority of the research is related to neuroscience, genetics, or diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, there are a handful of funded scientific studies that involve sexuality.

This set off alarms for some, including the New York Post where yesterday an article declared, “The next fiscal year is set to be one of the friskiest ever in the nation’s science labs, as researchers probe the ins and outs of sex patterns among humans.” In Central New York’s Post-Standard, Tory Mazzola, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, was quoted as saying that funding research is an inappropriate use of the stimulus funds: “Because stimulus was sold as a new investment in infrastructure. It was sold as job creating. It was sold as a new way forward for America.”

On the surface it may seem shocking to some people if our tax dollars are paying for “sex” research. Others believe that we should not discount scientific freedom, intellectual curiosity, and the fact that sexuality is a vitally important aspect of being human. Yet when we look further we see that this research is not sexy at all. All of the NIH approved studies include a statement of the public health implications, and all of these statements are available to the public on the NIH website. Most involve work about HIV/AIDS.

In response to a similar controversy, the director of the NIH said, “The research is easy to ridicule if it is taken out of its public health context. The fact is we need to explore a range of research avenues in vulnerable populations around the world to learn the best ways to control the transmission of HIV.” In fact, most scientists consider it very difficult to receive funding from the NIH, because they use the most rigorous peer review process to determine a proposal’s high quality. 

As you’ve most likely heard, the stimulus package is not just about creating jobs. It also provides funds in other areas with the stated goals of enhancing science and technology and expanding educational opportunities. The NIH was given 8 billion dollars to award to researchers. The criteria to receive research funding were related to research having public health implications. Still, you may ask: Will research create jobs? Research funds most often go towards implementing the procedures and evaluation of the study; yet, some jobs will be created as well. Most research studies employ about 3 to 8 people. New employees may be hired who are paid just from the government funding.   Researchers are also funded by their universities, although hiring freezes at many universities have slowed research. While some people may think that university researchers may not be those most in need of stimulus funding, these studies seem to be living up to the stated goals of the stimulus package (whether you support those goals, or not).

While the issue about what should or should not have been in the stimulus package remains hotly debated, the fact is that this money is funding research about health. Our government is certainly not funding research about orgasm, masturbation, or how to have more fun in bed. So, if you are opposed to government funding of s-e-x research you have nothing to worry about this time. The mysteries of sexual pleasure will continue to be cloaked in secrecy. These government funded studies are about public health.

Here are some of the clinical public health related studies that will be stimulus funded, and the rationale for why these involve public health issues. 

 * “Barriers to Correct Condom Use,” Indiana University, amount funded approximately $221,000.

Public Health Relevance Statement: “Sexually transmitted infections (STI), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pose significant health risks. Consistent and correct use of condoms can be a highly effective method of preventing the transmission of HIV and many STIs, yet studies show that problems with condom use are common. This project is one of the first to examine under controlled conditions the role of cognitive and affective factors and condom skills in explaining condom use problems in young, heterosexual adult men.”

* “Formative Research to Understand High-risk Community Sex Networks.”, Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago, amount funded approximately, $213, 000

Public Health Relevance Statement: “This study aims to lay the groundwork for understanding the role of substance use in the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among a community sample of African American young adults. Understanding the intersection of substance use with dynamics of sexual transmission of disease is important in reducing HIV infection among vulnerable populations.”

 * “Alcohol Use and Health in Young Women,” Syracuse University, amount funded approximately $219,000

Public Health Relevance Statement: “The proposed research will investigate sexual hookups among young women during the transitional first year of college. We will measure the prevalence of hookups, specify the personal and situational factors that increase the risk of sexual hookups, and explore the mental and physical health consequences of hookups, including health outcomes of unwanted sexual experiences/sexual assault, STD incidence, and mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms, self-esteem, psychosomatic symptoms). This research will inform young people, parents, and educators, and facilitate the development of interventions to promote the health of young women.”

 * “Methamphetamine Enhances the Motivation For Female Rat Sexual Behavior.” University of Maryland at Baltimore. Funded amount approximately, $28,000

Public Health Statement: “These aims will provide information regarding the actions of the neurotransmitter systems potentially underlying this enhancement of sexual motivation, which could have implications for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction via pharmacological agents. The potential findings of this research will advance our understanding of drugs of abuse in the induction of sexual drives and behavior, which could have important implications in terms of risky sexual behavior and disease transmission. Methamphetamine use in this country, from the urban centers to the rural towns, is becoming an epidemic that disrupts the family, the community, and society as a whole. One of the motivations for the use of methamphetamine is that it dramatically increases sexual libido, which has been linked to a rise in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. This proposal, which seeks to understand the ways methamphetamine increases sexual motivation, may be useful in providing an avenue to combat methamphetamine addiction.”

The full list of all 6,000 plus studies is available at National Institutes of Health website.

Celebrate love and equality by attending The Great Nationwide Kiss-In.

On Saturday, August 15 at 2pm EST/ 11am PT, the “Great Nationwide Kiss-In” will occur, as people all around the country will assemble in designated public locations and kiss. 

Click on the rest of this entry.

While this event is intended to support the rights of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people, I encourage all people to attend. It does not matter if you are straight, gay, or in between; if you support equality, affection and love, then this is the event for you.

The impetus for this event was the arrest of two men who were kissing in Salt Lake City’s Main Street Plaza, as well as other incidents of anti-gay discrimination in San Antonio and El Paso, TX. The event is being organized by David Mailloux and David Badash to make the statement that kissing is wonderful, and all people should feel comfortable kissing anywhere. Badash wrote in his blog that while he is not personally one to engage in public displays of affection, he’ll, “be damned if someone — citizen, neighbor, or the police — thinks they can tell me I can’t hold my boyfriend’s hand while walking down the street, or kiss him in public.” He adds, “Enough is enough. It’s time we call these ‘peace officers’ out. It’s time we showed them love can’t be stopped. It’s time for a nationwide kiss-in.” 

Locations that have confirmed are: Athens, GA. (College Avenue); Atlanta (Piedmont Park); Boston (Boston Common); Chicago/Oak Park (Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street); Cincinnati (5th and Vine); Denver (16th St. Mall, at Glenarm); Edmonton, Alberta (Legislature); Erie, PA (Erie Co. Courthouse); Fayetteville, AK (Plaza near Town Center); Houston (Discovery Green); Iowa City (Pedestrian Mall near Donnelly’s Pub); Irvine, CA (In Front of Steelhead Brewery); Los Angeles/Santa Monica (3rd Street Promenade near Farmers’ Market); Memphis, TN (Poplar & Highland); New Haven, CT (the Green); New York City (Battery Park, although there has also been talk of assembling in Times Square, too.); Normal, IL (City Hall); Parkersburg, WV(City Park band shelter); Philadelphia (Love Park, 16th St. and JFK Boulevard); Phoenix, AZ (Arizona State Capitol Building); Pittsburgh, PA (1000 Penn Avenue); Portland, OR. (Pioneer Courthouse Square); Richmond, VA, (TBA); Salt Lake City (Washington Square); San Diego (Manchester Grand Hyatt); San Francisco (Union Square); San Jose (City Hall); Salt Lake City, UT (Washington Square); San Antonio, TX (Riverwalk); Santa Barbara (Pardall Road); St. Louis, MO (City Hall); Toronto (TBA); Tulsa, OK (621 E. 4th St.); Washington, D.C. (National Mall), and more cities.  For the latest list of cities and meeting locations, check out the Kiss-in Facebook group.

Teen Death Related to Erectile Dysfunction Drug

Joe Loudon, a 16 year old from Orinda, CA, died at a party recently, and the autopsy results found that in addition to alcohol, he also had an erectile dysfunction medication, Papaverine, in his system. It is unknown whether he took the drug voluntarily, or someone slipped it into his drink, coerced him to take it, or gave it to him without revealing the type of drug. His parents said that they had no knowledge of how this drug could have been in their son’s possession. They are looking for leads about how he may have gotten the drug.  

Teens and Viagra: What do we know?

While it’s not known why Joe Loudon had an erectile dysfunction drug in his system, his story raises the question of why some teens may seek out erectile dysfunction medication. While most teens would never be exposed to the infrequently used older medication Papaverine that was in Joe’s body, there are teens who may consider experimenting with a more common erectile medication, such as Viagra.  There is a good deal of info about teens and Viagra… 

Research has found that the use of erectile dysfunction medication is not very common among teens. College students and twentysomethings are more likely than teens to use it recreationally. Yet, stories of teens using Viagra certainly grab media attention, such as the story from Barnstable, MA in 2003 when a 14-year-old Hyannis Middle School student allegedly gave Viagra to three classmates and one of them took it.  Another similar story occurred in Baltimore, MD. Also, there was a story in PA of a high school student who was caught putting Viagra in a classmate’s applesauce. Clearly, dangerous pranks and peer pressure are the issues in these cases.

It’s important to note that true erectile dysfunction is very rare among teens, with the actual percentage being unknown, but an estimate is about one percent to six percent reporting problems occasionally or regularly achieving erection. If erectile issues are present in teens, they may be due to anxiety related to a new experience or discomfort with condoms - or more serious clinical erectile dysfunction as a result of trauma to the penis, or a vascular issue. Therefore, teens generally are not taking erectile medications to actually treat a diagnosed sexual problem. Those who take it would be taking it without a doctor’s knowledge, recreationally. According to a small study of teens who have used Viagra, most stole it from a relative or acquaintance. Peer pressure or partner pressure presented as a factor in their use of the drug, with 84 percent reporting that they were with friends or a girlfriend the first time they took the medication.

There are several reasons why teenagers may experiment with erectile dysfunction medication. Of course, a common reason why teens may be tempted to take an erectile dysfunction medication is out of sexual curiosity. Teens may mistakenly think that these medications will increase sexual potency, make them somehow “better” sexually, or make them last longer. Premature ejaculation is common in this age group, and they may be hoping to find a pill to help. However, they do not realize that Viagra will not help them last longer.  (While it may help men maintain an erection after ejaculation, usually teens have a short refractory period anyway and would naturally be able to have an erection quickly after ejaculating.)

Beyond sexual curiosity, another major reason why some teenagers may think they want Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs is that they may have heard a rumor that it can improve their athletic performance. Research has been discussed in The NY Times and NY Daily News about the use of Viagra to relieve constriction of blood vessels in the lungs, improving blood flow, breathing, and athletic endurance.

Another reason why teens may try Viagra or another erectile medication is to attempt to increase the effect of other drugs or alcohol; despite the fact that this is a very dangerous use of these medications. Sometimes this is also related to sports performance, as someone on steriods may think it will enhance the affect of the steriods, or resolve steriod-related erectile dysfuction. There have also been reports of teenagers and twentysomethings taking Viagra with alcohol or with Ecstasy (the combination called “Sextasy”), since Ecstasy or alcohol may heighten desire while lessening erectile ability. This dangerous combination could be deadly, and at the very least contributes to a reduction of safer sex practices.

Teenagers, (or anyone of any age who does not have clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction and a prescription from a doctor), must stay away from Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or any other erectile dysfunction medication. They can certainly cause physical side effects like dizziness, headache, chest tightness, vision problems including loss of vision, irregular heartbeat, and more severe issues. Teachers and parents must teach teenagers about drugs — and sex.

Madonna lapping milk. Express Yourself.

From time to time popular magazines, TV shows, or websites claim that certain foods will turn you on, and in just one meal you can improve your sex life. However, the foods that are rumored to affect libido (oysters, dark chocolate, bananas, and more), simply contain some vitamins or minerals. None will actually elevate sex drive or improve your sex life, particularly because they would contain such small amounts of so-called aphrodisiac substances. There may be some placebo effect, but beyond that, science generally does not support their effect on libido. Simply put, aphrodisiacs don’t work. The ancient tradition of so-called aphrodisiacs is legend. Food cannot create passion where none exists.

The only way that food can get you more in the mood for sex is if you use food as if it’s a sex toy. Serve and savor it in a seductive way. Feed each other;  eat sensually; use it to try to change the way your bodies taste; lick food off of each other’s bodies. I’ve written more about how to use food during sex in answers to questions in the advice area of my site. Please check these out:

How can I use food during sex? 

What foods change the taste of semen?

What food are fun during kissing?

Popcorn, Twizzlers, and… Group Sex!

At the concession counter at a movie theater, I saw this sign displaying their ice cream flavors. I asked the guy behind the counter: “Is it awkward when children order the Chocolate Orgy?” His response: “No, it’s not awkward, but I tell kids that it’s not as good as it sounds.”