This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
In the animal world, pheromones are chemical molecules that can elicit sexual attraction.
Pheromones have not yet been proven to be detectable by humans, yet several fragrances on the market claim to include components that can enhance your attractiveness to others.
Early studies imply that pheromone scents, despite the lack of extensive research, may be effective. Here’s what the scientific evidence suggests.
What are pheromones, and how do they work?
Animals use pheromones to communicate with each other. Marking territory, identifying one another, and attracting a mate are all possible uses for these odors.
All over the body, scent glands create pheromones, including the lips, paws, and anus. They may mark their territory by urinating or rubbing their bodies on trees, or by sniffing each other’s rear ends to identify kin or a mate. In dogs, cats, horses, and other animals, we may observe this in action.
The vomeronasal organ, a receptor found in the nostrils of many animals, is used to detect pheromones. This organ is present in humans as well, but experts aren’t sure if we use it or if we emit any pheromones.
How are pheromone perfumes made?
Perfume containing pheromones is intended to arouse desire in those who smell it, much like animals do.
Androstadienone, Androstenone, Alpha-androstano, and Epi-androsterone may all be found in pheromone scents These are synthetic replicas of:
- Androstenol and androstenone, which are axillary hormones derived from the sweat glands of men.
- Copulins are aliphatic acids made by the vaginal opening.
- A variety of chemicals that are said to trigger the vomeronasal system.
Pheromone perfumes may also consist of synthetic musk from animals like civet cats. When it comes to perfume fragrances, however, the FDA doesn’t regulate them beyond assuring that they’re safe for human consumption.
Is pheromone perfume capable of making you more attractive?
If we want to know if pheromone fragrances actually work, we must answer three basic questions:
- Do we emit pheromones?
- Can pheromones be detected by people?
- Do pheromones elicit a sexual response in humans?
These questions are yet unanswered, but here’s what we know thus far.
Pheromones elicit a sexual reaction in humans?
Pheromone perfumes may genuinely make you more appealing if they exist, according to a little amount of limited research.
The hormone androstadienone has been shown to influence women’s sexual attraction in a small 2008 study. For the study, some women had androstadienone injected into their upper lips, while others received a placebo.
Women with androstadienone had higher ratings of attractiveness for the men they met than women who were not treated. Pheromones, on the other hand, have been shown to make the wearer more attractive to other individuals, rather than the other way around.
While some experts agree that human pheromones can increase your appeal, others argue that further research is needed to determine whether or not this is the case. There are many studies that support the use of human pheromones that are tiny and may indicate false positives. Read more about the different factors that influence human attraction here.
Unlike other mammals, we don’t need a specific hormone or chemical release to feel desire, seek sex, or become aroused by another member of the species.
Pheromone scents may not be enough to influence a person’s attraction to you even if they do work.