Contrary to common beliefs, sex stimulants may cause heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, increased blood pressure, loss of hearing or vision, and permanent erectile dysfunction.

Sex boosters an invitation to serious diseases
Malaysian Health Minister and nutritionist Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai on Thursday requested people to beware of certain drugs that the sellers claim could increase their sexual appetite or help them in slimming down.

“We have found that some products contain active ingredients, such as sildenafil, tadalafil and verdanafil,” the Star Online quoted Tiong Lai as saying.

“These medicines, if taken without proper management by a doctor, have severe documented adverse effects like heart attack and stroke,” he further told reporters.

Tiong Lai, an advocate of healthy eating himself, also warned that some suppliers, who boast of good manufacturing practices, together with illegal food or cosmetic manufacturers were supplying these 'deadly drugs' in the market.

“The increase in sales of such products indicate the suppliers are making huge profits by deceiving the public into believing their products were from herbs or other natural sources,” he explained.

Natu aphrodisiacs
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. While natural aphrodisiacs could be fruits like berries, strawberries, banana, or spices like garlic, stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines fall under drug aphrodisiacs.

Some experts don't consider drugs as aphrodisiacs, but others believe that anything that arouses sexual pleasure is an aphrodisiac.

Such drugs are known to target dopamines, and are frequently associated with hyperarousal and hypersexuality, though both may impair sexual functioning, particularly with long-term use.

Some of them can be toxic even when used properly and can have severe side effects; they can even be lethal.