Pheramones

Pheromones

A pheromone is a chemical substance produced by an organism that affects the behavior of other organisms of the same species. Pheromones are found throughout the animal kingdom, form single-celled amoebas to mammals. Most species use pheromones to attract others for reproduction. Some insects use pheromones in even more complex ways. For example, ants have one pheromone used to mark a trail to food so other ants can follow. A second pheromone is used for eliciting attacks on enemies they have discovered. Still another is used signaling the need to flee, while another pheromone can help ants find their larvae in the darkness of the nest. Some other invertebrates like assassin bugs have cracked ants' pheromonal codes, being able to lay similar false pheromonal trails to catch and eat ants! Similarly, modern science has created synthetic insect pheromones that can be sprayed to disorient or trap male insect pests.

Owners of un-spayed female dogs can easily find their pets attracting intact male dogs from more than half a mile away! Mammals can detect the pheromonal smells of other animals in their habitat, and thus detect "intruders." All primates, including humans, use pheromones for sexual attraction. At puberty, pheromones are secreted into human sweat. Thus, pheromones can serve the functions of opposite-sex attraction, same-sex repellents and detection of other species intruders (territorial markers) and even mother-infant bonding attractants.

Human pheromones secreted from the underarms in sweat have been shown to be responsible for the menstrual synchrony effect. Women living closely together, such as college coeds often display this pattern. Also, regular exposure to either sexual intercourse or genital stimulation in the presence of a man (but not masturbation) was associated with regular fertile-type menstrual cycles. Women having sexual contact with men less than once a week showed more irregular cycles and were more likely to not ovulate and have luteal phase deficiencies (lower progesterone levels and greater likelihood of unsuccessful implantation of a fertilized ovum). Thus it is clear that men trying to impregnate their wives, should not use underarm "antiperspirants!"

Age of first intercourse for a woman is associated with subsequent fertility and also perhaps, general health. Those women whose first intercourse is more than 7 years after menarche are more likely to be infertile in their 30's. Regular frequent intercourse (at least weekly) is also associated with a later onset of menopause, which might be favorable for cardiovascular health and bone integrity. It may also be argued that longer exposures to higher estrogen levels can increase the risks of uterine and breast cancers, especially in those women who have had no pregnancies or first pregnancy in the mid 30's or later.

Studies conducted since the mid 80's have shown conclusively that human pheromones attract members of the opposite sex. Direct preparations from human axillary sweat or identical-to-human synthesized pheromones have been tested on volunteers, including under "double blind " conditions. Both men and women reported higher frequencies of sexual intercourse. In the double blind studies, the volunteers who did not get the pheromones added to a fragrance or after shave lotion had much less success with the opposite sex. In one study with post-menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy and complaining of loss of sexual attractiveness, 70% of the women using the pheromone cosmetic were helped.

But let the buyer beware! Many commercial products touting pheromone claims actually contain boar pheromone, which is actually a repellant among humans! To date, the only commercial product actually tested under double-blind conditions with a study published in a peer reviewed journal is Athena Institute's synthesized human male pheromone cosmetic fragrance additive. In this study, 74% of the heterosexual men reported increased romantic attention from women compared to an initial 2-week baseline period.... In short, pheromones work!

References:

(1) Cutler, WB. Human sex-attractant pheromones: discovery, research, development, and application in sex therapy. Psychiatric Annals. 1999;29:54-59.

(2) Cutler, WB, et al. Pheromonal influences on sociosexual behavior in men. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 1998;27:1-13.

(3) J.L. Go. & C.G.G. Pheromone in Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol. 20:326-327. Funk & Wagnalls Corp., 1996.

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Written by George Milowe M.D.