Viagra is a drug that is mostly used to treat impotence. It mostly works on the body’s blood vessels by sending more blood to the penis. But because of how it works, it can also have affects on the brain that are not directly related to it.

Nitric oxide is created in the penis when a guy is sexually excited. This sets off an enzyme called guanylate cyclase. This enzyme raises the amount of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This causes smooth muscle cells to relax and more blood to flow into the penis, which causes an erection. An enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP. Viagra stops PDE5 from doing its job, which makes its benefits last longer and improves sexual performance.

PDE5 is an enzyme that is mostly found in the penis, but it can also be found in other parts of the body, like the brain. PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, can get into the brain from the blood and change how PDE5 works there. According to research, PDE5 inhibitors may help with a number of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and the return from a stroke. More research is needed to fully understand these benefits, but they may improve brain blood flow, neuroprotection, and cognitive function.

Some people who take Viagra may also experience mild side effects relating to its affects on the central nervous system, such as headaches, dizziness, or changes in their vision. Usually, these side effects only last a short time and go away when the drug is broken down and flushed out of the body.

Overall, Viagra mostly affects the vascular system to improve penile function. However, it can also have a secondary effect on the brain by blocking PDE5, which means it might have healing benefits beyond its main purpose.