[Neo]

Neo asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Scientists, 

I have a questions. Do love portions work? Specifically the African ones.. I think they might be made from herbs I am not sure.  If they do work, how does science explain it?  I.e someone starts loving someone that they would not ordinarily love, just because they ingested herbs made by a sangoma (witch doctor as some are called).  If it's on a spiritual level, how does one through science explain what the spirit is??  Can science prove beyond reasonable doubt that there are things of a spiritual nature?

What do you think?

[SteveFish]

No, no, and no. In any case, would you, or anybody who is responsible, wish to have a love interest who was not honestly interested in you because of who you really are? How would you feel if somebody loved you just because of a potion?

[imatfaal]

To follow up on what Steve said; I also think under English law if you had a working love potion (not that I think one could exist) and you had sex with someone under the control of said philtre you could get into all sorts of trouble.  Someone under that form of manipulation cannot give true consent, and the potion-giver would also know that whatever said/done by the dosed person cannot be knowing and full consent; that's a serious crime!

[Don_1]

Yes, there are such potions which work. As Imatfaal has posted, they can get you into serious trouble and result in a lifelong sentence for the victim.

[Bored chemist]

Call me an old romantic but surely there's a difference between a potion that makes people fall in love and a tranquilliser that stops them worrying  about being raped until it's too late?

(Incidentally, both types would be unlawful under English law)