Pheromones Attraction: How A Human Pheromone Chemical Creates Desire
Pheromones are chemicals that organisms, such as mammals and insects, secrete from their bodies (through bodily fluids) to communicate with another member of their species, triggering a specific, innate behavioral change or endocrine effect. While many plants and animals possess pheromones, no pheromones have been discovered in humans. Therefore, there is no current scientific evidence supporting the use of pheromone-based products for increasing human desire. Rather than relying on these products, it may be more useful to focus on improving self-esteem and self-confidence.
What are human pheromones?
Pheromones are a type of hormone (i.e. a biological chemical messenger). While most hormones only affect the individual who produces them, pheromones are ectohormones, meaning they are secreted outside the body and thus affect the behavior of others. Pheromones are detected through specific organs in the nose, called the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). For many animals, pheromones play a role in attracting mates, mate choice, interacting with offspring, and establishing territory.
Types of human pheromone chemical
Though there is no definitive research supporting the existence of human pheromones, there are four primary types of pheromones that have been identified in other animals.
Releaser pheromones
Releaser pheromones typically trigger immediate, specific, behavioral effects. For example, a receptive sow becomes ready to mate when the androstenone pheromone is discharged from a boar, and female rabbits produce mammary pheromones that aid pups in latching and nursing.
Primer pheromones
Primer pheromones take longer than releaser pheromones to cause a direct behavioral response. They can affect females’ menstrual cycles, puberty, and pregnancy. For example, a queen bee’s primer pheromones can stop the reproductive ability of other females within the colony. Pregnant women produce pheromones that aid in social bonding, such as helping mothers recognize their babies by scent. While their role in breast milk production is unclear, further research is needed to explore their impact.
Signaler pheromones
Signaler pheromones typically perform as social signals, providing information about the individual to other members of the species. They can signal things like an individual’s social rank, recent diet, overall health, and mate viability. In animals and humans, chemicals termed pheromones help individuals communicate important social or reproductive cues when they smell pheromones.
Modulator pheromones
This type of pheromone can affect mood and emotions. Some research suggests that it is possible that modulator pheromones exist in people. For example, one study from 2003 found that underarm secretions from men could induce relaxation and reduce tension in female participants. However, the context of studies on human pheromones may make their result unreliable. While the evidence on human pheromones remains inconclusive, pheromones are effectively used in animals. For example, dog-appeasing pheromone sprays are commonly used to address separation-related behavioral signs in hospitalized dogs, demonstrating their ability to influence mood and emotions.
Potential human pheromones
Some studies support the claim that four steroid molecules act as human sex pheromones: androstenone, androstanol, androstadienone, and estratetaenol. While it is possible that humans have pheromones, current literature has not provided strong evidence of them due to small sample sizes, publication bias, overestimating effects, and inability to reproduce results.
Androstenone
In boars, androstenone pheromones play a role in mating receptivity. In humans, some studies support that androstenone may improve mood and sexual satisfaction when applied to the upper lip.
Synthetic androstenone is a common ingredient in perfume marketed to attract partners. However, research demonstrates that many “pheromone perfumes” do not include any pheromones, can come with health-associated risks, and do not aid in mate attraction.
Androstenol
Androstenol is an odorous steroid that may play a role in anxiety reduction and mood improvement. In humans, it can be found in urine, saliva, sweat, and blood. Some studies find that it activates portions of the hypothalamus rather than just olfactory regions of the brain, indicating that it may be involved in human reproduction.
Androstadienone and estratetraenol
Androstadienone is a testosterone-derived chemical compound that is found in male sweat. While some studies hypothesize that androstadienone is a signaler pheromone that communicates aggression, readiness for competition, and dominance, these studies typically lack academic rigor.
Androstadienone and estratetraenol were first proposed as ‘putative human pheromones’ in 1991 by Erox—a company with competing interests—and have since been used in fragrances marketed to attract the opposite sex and/or to increase libido.
Other human pheromones
While many studies focus on identifying sex hormones as human pheromone candidates, other studies focus on lactation secretions. For example, one study found that when areola gland secretions are placed under the nose of a baby, the baby will engage in nipple-searching and sucking behaviors.
Can you increase human pheromones to boost sexual attraction?
Though it is plausible that human pheromones do exist, current research has not demonstrated a specific change in human behavior tied to a suspected pheromone. Still, many perfume and supplement brands promote that their products contain pheromones that are scientifically proven to increase attractiveness sexually and/or libido. Evidence suggests that pheromone signals are critical for many species of animals, but their direct impact on humans remains unclear.
Some websites promote that individuals can increase their pheromone levels by increasing perspiration, reducing the use of antiperspirants, getting enough sleep, and weightlifting. However, none of these strategies are shown to increase pheromone levels. In many animals, pheromones help with social bonding and mating, and mammals are known to use pheromones to communicate with others of the same species.
Therapy and pheromones attraction can help you gain confidence
Pheromone-based products often claim to increase sexual attractiveness through a pheromone response, but these claims are based on dubious research. Unlike human pheromone research, there are studies supporting the idea that high self-confidence and self-esteem can improve the quality of romantic relationships (and overall mental health). By working with a licensed therapist, many people can improve their self-esteem and confidence.
A 2017 review article supports that online therapy can effectively address the symptoms of many psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, a 2022 pilot study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly improved self-esteem, self-compassion, and quality of life in adolescents. These findings suggest that improving mental health may positively affect human behavior, including female attraction and sexual orientation dynamics.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Takeaway
Pheromones are silent chemical messengers that are secreted from one individual to influence the behavior of another. While pheromones are common in many plants and animals, there is no concrete evidence that they exist in humans. Despite a lack of evidence, some companies market products containing animal and/or synthetic pheromones as effective sexual attractants for people.
Though there is no consensus on the existence of human pheromones, you can improve your self-esteem and self-confidence, which may contribute to desirability and more successful romantic relationships. Research demonstrates that online therapy can effectively improve self-esteem and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety for many people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you smell someone's pheromones?
You cannot necessarily smell human pheromones, or you don't realize that's what you're smelling. Still, our bodies naturally produce pheromones, and these putative human pheromones emit a subtle smell that can potentially trigger attraction. It is generally defined that pheromones send signals to others of the same species, influencing specific behaviors or responses. The scientific community has yet to come to a concrete conclusion regarding the effects of human pheromones, but more evidence is needed to confirm how pheromones work in humans.
What's a pheromone attractant?
A pheromone attractant is a hormone secreted through our body as a subtle odor that can potentially entice a mate. These putative human pheromones are very primal and meant to trigger sexual desire as a means to reproduce.
For animals of the same species, these attractants often send signals crucial for mating. Men's and women's bodies both produce pheromones. Some research says that these pheromones play a role in our biological need to reproduce and create babies. Animals and mammals rely on pheromones to detect pheromones that influence mating behaviors and other social interactions.
Men's and women's bodies both produce pheromones. Some research says that these pheromones play a role in our biological need to reproduce and create babies. Pheromone research claims that these attractant pheromones are based on our immune systems. It is thought that based on these putative pheromones, we will prefer those pheromones of someone with a dissimilar DNA makeup as us, as that would provide the best case for creating healthy offspring. This concept is aligned with the original concept of pheromone-based attraction, which focuses on the ability of pheromones to increase attractiveness and ensure genetic diversity.
What is the love pheromone or sex pheromone?
The love pheromone is considered to be the putative human pheromone, Androstenone. This type of pheromone is thought to be the most powerful in sexual attraction between people. Androstenone is a pheromone that triggers a behavioral response in the opposite sex.
What scents are females attracted to?
Females tend to be attracted to smells like vanilla, peppermint, sandalwood, musk, leather, and wood. These scents are often popular choices for cologne for this reason. Scent plays a significant role in female sexual attraction, as it can increase the perception of a partner's attractiveness.
Can guys smell when a girl is attracted to them?
According to recent research on pheromone detection, a man can smell when a woman is turned on. In this study, women watched two different videos, one being erotic. The male subjects found the putative pheromone secreted by women to be a lot more attractive after they had watched the erotic film. This shows that the pheromones secreted during a woman's sexual arousal can create a sexual response in the male recipient. The process pheromones undergo in the body may also be influenced by a woman’s menstrual cycle, as this cycle impacts the intensity of pheromone signals. It is also thought that men can predict when women are ovulating based on their smell. They become more attracted to women during ovulation by the pheromone secreted during that time. Biologically, this makes sense, as it is the prime time to create offspring. Such responses highlight the specific response males have to detect pheromones, ensuring reproductive success.
What is a woman's natural scent called?
A woman's natural scent is thought to be in her pheromones. Some studies have shown that people can tell gender based on the smell of human pheromones. A man will have a sexual attraction to a woman's natural scent based on her biological makeup being different from theirs. This is necessary to create healthy offspring. Studies have shown that men will also be more attracted to a woman's natural scent during ovulation when she is most fertile. The natural scent plays a crucial role in human attraction and mate selection, aligning with evolutionary needs. It has also been found that a chemical in women's urine called estratetraenol can uplift a man's mood. It has also been found that a chemical in women's urine called estratetraenol can uplift a man's mood.
Do humans get attracted by pheromones, and what do pheromones have to do with sex?
Yes, humans produce pheromones, and pheromones exist in our body odors, but their impact on sexual attraction isn't as straightforward as it is for other animal species. In many animals, chemical signals directly trigger sexual behavior, but for humans, the process is more complex. Pheromones smell subtle or may even be undetectable to our conscious senses, yet they can still influence the brain's perception and response.
Studies suggest that specific pheromones may affect human attraction by subtly influencing emotions and behavior, potentially enhancing sexual response. For example, compounds in human sweat may send unconscious cues linked to mate selection or even influence women's menstrual cycles. However, there's preliminary evidence that the role of pheromones in human attraction is more of a supporting factor rather than the sole driver of sexual orientation or preferences.
How do pheromones attraction or sexual attraction happen in women?
In women, sexual attraction may be influenced by chemical messengers found in human sweat and body odors. There is preliminary evidence that females exposed to certain pheromones may experience mood shifts or changes in how they perceive potential partners.
Pheromone effects on women have been linked to the same system that governs hormonal changes, such as those during ovulation or stress. For example, pheromones work by activating parts of the olfactory system, possibly via remnants of the vomeronasal organ. However, human responses to pheromones are subtle compared to other mammals, making emotional and situational factors just as important.
Do females get attracted by a male pheromone or other human pheromone?
Yes, females exposed to certain male pheromones may show an increased attraction or preference. However, the attraction doesn't solely rely on pheromones—it's also shaped by emotional and social factors. Unlike animals, where specific pheromones often lead to instant mating behavior, humans respond to more complex cues, such as appearance, voice, and personality.
Interestingly, pheromone effects aren't limited to attraction. For example, pheromones smell different to different people, and this may unconsciously guide preferences. The presence of human sweat compounds may also influence women's mood or reinforce bonding in relationships.
Can I smell my own pheromone chemical?
It's unlikely that you can consciously detect how pheromones smell in your body. Many chemical signals emitted by humans are processed subconsciously. For example, certain compounds in human sweat are detected by the brain even if you don't actively notice them. The olfactory system processes these cues in ways that can subtly impact emotions and perceptions without triggering an obvious scent.
While animals use pheromones for clear communication, such as signaling danger or finding a mate, humans may not detect their own pheromones in the same way. Instead, we rely on individual scents and other sensory input. This is why pheromone perfumes are marketed to enhance attraction, though more evidence is needed to determine whether they truly have the same effect as natural pheromones.
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