When we discuss attraction, the discussion often turns to “pheromones”—fluids secreted outside of the body (like sweat) that draw us to certain people. We know animals secrete these to attract mates, but do humans? Believe it or not, the verdict is still out—the research in this fascinating area of sexuality is still weak and inconclusive. We know that pheromones play a role in animal attraction, but as you read in the first part of this article, human attraction is far more complex than just the secretion of chemicals.
Nevertheless, many perfume companies have tried to capitalize on our interest in attraction by creating “pheromone fragrances” and claiming that you will attract your soul mate if you douse yourself in their perfume. That’s quite the claim for something that has little human science to back it up!
In the animal kingdom, pheromones are the way animals communicate with each other by sending signals via particular scents. They use pheromones to help find/attract a mate or to tell if a female is in heat. Scents are also important to humans, but many pheromones are actually “unscented” so to speak, not really discernable to the human nose. But just because we can’t smell something doesn’t mean they don’t exist—or do they? Unfortunately, we know very little about whether this plays a role in human attraction and reproduction.
Some scientists do still believe that it is possible for us humans to have pheromones, but they question whether humans respond to them in a similar way that animals do. And if humans secrete them, is it the same for all of us? And if so, do we secrete them through sweat, urine, semen, and breast milk like all other animals?
According to Scientific American:
“Scientists have had some success in demonstrating that exposure to body odor can elicit responses in other humans. As in rodent research, human sweat and secretions can affect the reproductive readiness of other humans. Since the 1970s researchers have observed changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle when she is exposed to the sweat of other women. In 2011 a Florida State University group demonstrated that the scent of ovulating women could cause testosterone levels to increase in men. But there is no evidence of a consistent and strong behavioral response to any human-produced chemical cue. “
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, you can find plenty of websites claiming to be able to increase your pheromone levels by using supplements or doing this or that exercise. Their claims can only be anecdotal; if they work for some, it may simply be the placebo effect. There is actually nothing you can do to increase your pheromone levels.
Human attraction and behavior are far more complex than merely a collection of chemicals silently communicating our desires to others in our species. But that doesn’t mean that scent plays no role in attraction. Have you ever been with someone and been turned on (or off) by the scent of their skin? Or been drawn to someone whose perfume smells great? And how many of us are turned on by someone who smells like they haven’t showered in a week? Good hygiene and smelling clean is definitely an attractive quality! So if you want to at the very least, not turn someone off make the effort to shower, wear deodorant and use a cologne or perfume that is not overpowering.