Does Chewing Miraa really affect Sexual Performance?

Miraa, also known as Khat is a stimulant that contains psychoactive compounds, primarily cathinone and cathine. These substances can have various effects on the body, including on sexual performance.

However, the relationship between miraa chewing and libido is complex and can vary from person to person. Some individuals who chew the stimulant have reported an increase in sexual desire or arousal as a result of its effects.

These effects include increased alertness, heightened mood and a sense of euphoria, which leads some users to feel more sexually active or interested.

In some cases, chewing miraa may delay ejaculation, potentially allowing for longer sexual encounters. However, this may not be desirable for everyone, as it can lead to frustration for the user or his partner.

Miraa chewing may also have emotional and psychological effects, such as increased anxiety, restlessness, and mood swings. These effects can negatively impact sexual performance and enjoyment.

In addition, Khat is known to disrupt sleep patterns, and lack of sleep can negatively impact sexual desire and performance.

Research in Yemen

A study conducted in Yemen sought to investigate the causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) among Yemeni patients.

The research particularly sought to examine the potential relationship between chewing of Khat and ED.

The research involved 236 ED patients who underwent Penile Doppler ultrasound, and their bio-demographic data, clinical history, including chronic diseases and Khat use, were collected.

The key findings include:

The majority of ED patients (48%) were in the younger age group (15–29 years).
Chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease and diabetes were observed in a percentage of patients (16%, 2%, and 6% respectively).
A significant proportion of patients (81%) reported chewing Khat.
Penile Doppler ultrasound revealed that the causes of ED were primarily psychological (72%), followed by venous leakage (19%) and arterial disease (9%).
Psychological ED was more common in the 15–29 age group, while pathological ED increased with age.
Heart diseases and diabetes showed a significant association with pathological ED.
Although a high percentage of ED patients chewed Khat, there was no significant association between Khat chewing and either pathological or psychological erectile dysfunction.

The research suggests that psychological issues are the main causes of ED among Yemenis, especially in the younger age group.

While the study did not find a significant association between Khat chewing and ED, the authors emphasize the need for further case-control studies with a larger sample size to explore this relationship more comprehensively.

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