Viagra is the world’s best-selling drug. The potency of its active ingredient, sildenafil, has been known for many years, but it was not until 1998 that the effects of this little blue pill were truly understood. That was the year when sildenafil was found to significantly enhance the pleasure of sex for men and women. Since then, the prescription for erectile dysfunction has more than doubled, and today, Viagra is prescribed to more than 40 million men worldwide.
The reason why Viagra was such a revolutionary drug is that it instantly provided a solution to a problem that had heavily plagued sex-hungry men and their partners for many years. Although there are other ED drugs on the market, only Viagra allows for instantaneous results, meaning that it can be taken anywhere, at any time. In addition, because it is a relatively new drug, there is a wealth of information about its side effects and interactions with other medications. This article will discuss whether or not Viagra actually does boost nitric oxide levels in the body, and if so, how big of an effect it has.
What Is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is a chemical compound that plays a vital role in keeping your body functioning properly. The substance is responsible for relaxing and dilating blood vessels, preventing blood clots and boosting oxygen flow throughout your body. When you inhale fresh air, you are actually benefiting from the wonderful gas that is nitric oxide. People with high nitric oxide levels in their blood have a decreased risk for heart disease, and it has been known to effectively treat hypertension, insulin resistance, migraines, and even anxiety disorders.
In addition to being a beneficial chemical, nitric oxide is also one of the gases that are produced when meat is cooked. The compound is present in large quantities in meat, and its presence has been known to enhance the taste of food. Many professional chefs have incorporated this fact into their culinary training and have adopted a “high-nitric oxide” approach to cooking, which enhances the flavor of foods while using less salt and fewer spices. In general, this is known as “reducing the impact” of food, and it can be applied to anything from baked goods to salad dressings. There is a wealth of information about how to incorporate a “nitric oxide high-approach” into your daily routine, if you are interested.
Does Viagra Increase Nitric Oxide Levels?
Since nitric oxide is such a beneficial molecule that can help your body in so many ways, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is highly sought after by pharmaceutical companies. That means that Nitric Oxide Level tests are often available, and many people wonder if there is any tie between nitric oxide and Viagra. The short answer is “yes,” but the effects are very mild and probably won’t be detectable by most medical labs, let alone the average person.
The human body does not produce nitric oxide on its own, which is why many doctors have prescribed medications that induce the chemical reaction, called “nitric oxide synthase inhibitors” or “NO synthase inhibitors.” These medications work by preventing nitric oxide from being created, which in turn prevents it from performing its myriad functions in the body. The most common NO synthase inhibitors are aspirin, stear clear of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) selective inhibitors. These are often prescribed for arthritis, but anyone who takes them regularly could experience negative side effects.
The NO synthase inhibitors that are in Viagra are called “sildenafil,” “dutasteride,” and “tadalafil.” The first two are known to increase nitric oxide levels by directly inhibiting phosphodiesterase 5 – an enzyme that breaks down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), a substance that plays an important role in inducing an erection. Tadalafil is a more recent addition to Viagra and its main purpose is to inhibit PDE-11, an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. This happens to be the same enzyme that is inhibited by sildenafil and dutasteride, so it is safe to assume that tadalafil will have the same effect.
Just as with most drugs and supplements, the effectiveness of Viagra depends on many factors. One factor is the amount of the drug that is consumed. In general, roughly 10 milligrams of sildenafil are needed to produce a noticeable effect, although this varies from person to person. In addition, the rate at which the drug is absorbed by the body can influence how effective it is. Some people have reported that taking the drug with food can enhance its effects, probably because the nutrients in the food enhance the absorption of sildenafil. On the other hand, individuals who are administered large quantities of the drug can experience severe negative side effects and even die from overdosing. Other factors that can affect the effectiveness of Viagra include age, health, and drug interactions. With any drug, there is always the risk of side effects, but because so many people have benefited from this medication, it is usually considered “safe.” Some of the more serious side effects that have been reported from Viagra include headache, jaw pain, muscle pain, and chest pain. While many of these side effects are relatively harmless, they can keep you from enjoying life the way you should be able to. In addition to the physical effects that drugs can have, there is also the psychological effect that many medications can have on an individual. Sildenafil has been known to cause anxiety and even panic attacks in some people. This is why it is so important to consult a doctor or psychiatrist before starting any new medication regimen.