Do Sex Pheromones Actually Work?

Medically Reviewed on 3/10/2022
Do sex pheromones actually work
Despite what product advertisers may claim, studies have not established that human sex pheromones make you more sexually desirable.

Despite what many companies may tell you, studies have not established that human sex pheromones make you more sexually desirable to a potential partner. Nonetheless, some businesses try to take advantage of the many purported claims.

You have probably seen advertisements for items that claim to contain pheromones in their formulas. There are thousands of them out there, all promising to open up new avenues for your sex life.

What are pheromones?

Pheromones are airborne molecules that provoke a reaction in another member of the same species, and the most well-known ones are potent aphrodisiacs such as androstenone and androstanol.

  • Androstenone is a pheromone that causes men to be sexually attractive to women. 
  • Only 10 percent of the male population secretes a large amount of the pheromone, and these guys are regarded as the sexiest or most desirable in the population. 
  • Some of these men may not even be physically appealing, yet the hormone Androstenone alters people's perceptions of their desirability.

Androsterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, testes, and ovaries and is excreted by men through their skin, hair, and urine. Women make and emit the pheromone four times more than men. This pheromone, which has masculinizing effects on men, is produced by the sex glands and excreted by sebaceous glands in both the male and female sex organs.

Pheromones are linked to human sexuality. According to a 2005 study, gay men were attracted to the aroma of other gay men, whereas straight men were attracted to the perfume of women. Blind sweat-smelling tests were used for this test.

Can pheromones increase attraction?

Because pheromones can boost your attractiveness and lead to better sex life, fragrance and cosmetics companies have been striving to include the aroma of pheromones such as androstenone into perfumes.

  • Men who used topical pheromones had a 52 percent improvement in starting discussions and an even better rate of improvement in staying engaged in conversation, according to studies utilizing pheromones at the University of Chicago. They saw an increase in compliments, obvious flirting from the opposite sex, and a 40 percent boost in female sexual responsiveness.
  • The same study reported that women who used topical pheromones were asked on dates more frequently and had more foreplay during the sexual engagement. 74 percent of women who took part in the study saw a significant increase in their interactions with men overall, with the majority reporting having sex more frequently and getting more closeness such as embraces and snuggling after a sexual act.

Another study, conducted by San Francisco State University in 2002, reported that women who wore synthetic pheromones were perceived as more attractive by their spouses.

Although we can't always smell them, specific parts of our nasal tissues can perceive pheromones and transmit messages to the brain. Pheromones are present in perspiration; however, they are not responsible for the odor.

QUESTION

Which chemical is known simply as the "hormone of love?" See Answer

How to increase natural pheromones

Natural pheromones differ from person to person. However, there are a few techniques to improve your pheromone output organically.

  • Exercise:
    • Sweat generates pheromones. You don't want to walk around sweaty all day, but if you sweat more frequently, those pheromones may end up on your skin and in your hair.
    • Exercising detoxifies your body, and when your pores are open, the pheromones you create are more potent. Regular exercise boosts testosterone levels in men.
  • Supplements:
    • Zinc is one of the several substances that are thought to boost testosterone. There are various products on the market that contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This molecule is produced naturally in the body and appears to be a precursor to sex pheromones. Taking DHEA pills can increase sexual pheromone production.
    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed and does not regulate these supplements. The majority of these supplements and their claims are not always clinically proven.
Medically Reviewed on 3/10/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images

Do human pheromones actually exist? https://www.science.org/content/article/do-human-pheromones-actually-exist

Do Pheromones Affect Humans? https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/do-pheromones-affect-humans/

How Pheromones Can Drive Our Sexual Desire: https://dame.com/pheromones-101/