Nitrox: Viagra in a cylinder?

[alan_lee]

Came across an article in a British diving magazine that suggests that nitrox might serve to enhance libido. They quoted the experience of a couple who, after a nitrox dive, proceeded to have a wonderful session of sex when normally they would be so tired after an air dive, they'd be dead asleep. The mag also quoted a researcher explaining that there might be merit in the anecdote because nitric oxide, which exists in nitrox, is also an ingredient of... Viagra!

Well, for those who dive with their spouses, looks like there's good reason to go on nitrox on your next dive holiday!

Sorry if you find the article lame, was rather tickled by the article, just thought tI'd share it with everyone.

 

[TheHobster]

I wiil add that to my prayers every day!!!! Will have to get my wife on EANx soon for sure - the anecdotal evidence of not being tired after a dive would definitely mean more energy for lovemaking; and I pray it works out that way

however, all that wishful thinking aside, this is one couple, on one trip, and trips tend to have more intimacy than a week at home anyway - the scientific training I had in the distant past says we need more research and will need to get alot of volunteers to have a large enough group for the numbers to be valid and reliable - let me be the first to volunteer!

 

[jiveturkey]

Every whitty response that I can think of has the potential for me to get banned. Therefore, I must keep my trap shut. Oh, I had some good ones too!

 

[mike_s]

hmmmm..... might need the "extra stretch" of a Hyperstrech wetsuit now if you're going to dive nitrox huh?

 

[rakkis]

Nitrox does not contain nitric oxide (NO). Nitrox contains O2 and N2. Our body cannot break down N2. The only way for nitrogen to be converted into a form organisms can use is though special bacteria.

The way I figure, the annecdotal evidence for feeling better after breathing nitrox may have something to do with breathing more O2.

 

[Damselfish]

a common theory given for feeling better is that Nitrox helps avoid some subclinical level of DCS.

 

[Warthaug]

Nitrox does not contain nitric oxide (NO). Nitrox contains O2 and N2. Our body cannot break down N2. The only way for nitrogen to be converted into a form organisms can use is though special bacteria.

Hypothetically speaking, NO could be synthesized from O2 and N2 if there were electrical sparks. I'd hope this wouldn't happen in a SCUBA tank...

As for the rest of it, its a good story but not biologically possible. NO is used by our bodies as a neurotransmitter, but to regulate blood flow, not mood. Viagra does break down to form NO (that is how it works), but that has no effect on your brain. Rather, it results in the dilation of blood vessels, which increases blood flow, which then causes swelling.

Purely mechanical, no emotions need to apply

Bryan

 

[lamont]

Uhm, and you do this right after your yearly trip to the chamber to recompress all the microbubbles?

 

[fda483]

...Viagra does break down to form NO (that is how it works)...

Bryan

I don't think Viagra breaks down to form NO but helps the body use the NO that is present more effectively.

But then again what do I know I just make drugs for a living but surely not a pharmacologist or MD. In any event if it works who cares.......

 

[Warthaug]

I don't think Viagra breaks down to form NO but helps the body use the NO that is present more effectively.

But then again what do I know I just make drugs for a living but surely not a pharmacologist or MD. In any event if it works who cares.......

I'm not sure about that - we used it (I think, not so sure now) as an NO donor in our lab.

Bryan