What are pheromones and how do they affect your sex appeal?

You’ve probably heard of them before: pheromones. Something to do with smells, attraction, and a few other things. But what are they exactly? In this crash course we’ll explain pheromones and their influence on our sex appeal.

First: back to school…

The word pheromone is of Greek origin and means ‘carried’ or ‘stimulated’. Pheromones are small organic molecules that humans and animals can secrete. This secretion usually occurs through the skin and in warm and hairy places. The substance reaches other people or animals through the air, and like hormones, they transmit messages within the body. Pheromones also function as messengers between two creatures of the same species. In humans and other mammals, these hormones influence sexual communication. Inhaling even a small amount of pheromones from someone can have a substantial effect. That’s some strong stuff! 😉

“Pheromones are small organic molecules that humans and animals can secrete.”

Different types of pheromones

Pheromones are best known for their influence on sexual attraction. So let’s brush up on your knowledge of them! The best known and most frequently mentioned pheromones are sexual pheromones; these fall under the group of releaser pheromones. There are also other types of pheromones, such as epideictic pheromones, aggregation pheromones, releaser pheromones, alarm pheromones and sex pheromones.

Erm, what?

Yes, I hear you thinking. Let me give you some examples of each type of pheromone. As already indicated, this strong substance serves, among other things, as a means of communication between animals. A well-known example is the reaction of aphids, which, when attacked by an ichneumon wasp, warn their fellows by secreting an alarm pheromone. Or the reproductive pheromones of moths and butterflies that females secrete to attract males. There are also epideictic pheromones, which limit the number of eggs, laid by one species of butterfly, that end up on a specific plant, so that there’s enough food for the young caterpillars. The honey bee also uses an alarm pheromone to warn its fellows if the hive is threatened.

The production of pheromones

Pheromones are produced in glands. The pituitary gland is an important gland in the regulation of hormones. It regulates mood, stress, emotions, weight, sleep, day and night rhythms and many other organ functions. The pheromones of men are more powerful and more concentrated than those of women.

The smell and perception of pheromones

While this substance is strong, the smell isn’t as strong. We ‘smell’ pheromones via the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO) in the nose. It can’t really be called smelling, as there’s usually only a limited amount of pheromones. The VNO registers pheromones and then sends a signal to the pituitary gland. Pheromones influence behaviour through the pituitary gland. Pretty cool! Men produce four different types of reproductive pheromones, and androstenone and androstenol are the most important. When men are sexually aroused, their production of these pheromones increases. The structure of androstenone is a steroid structure, just like the male sex hormone testosterone. Half of all people can smell this hormone when it’s secreted in large quantities. Still, if you cannot smell it, you’re not missing much… it smells like urine. So no worries – FOMO* is not necessary in this case 😉

“The VNO registers pheromones and then sends a signal to the pituitary gland. Pheromones influence our behaviour through the pituitary gland.”

Having FOMO when you can’t smell the androstenol is, however, justified. It’s very similar to the smell of musk. For this reason, musk is often used in male perfumes. Unfortunately, not much is known about the smell of female pheromones. However, we do know that women always like the smell of some pheromones. Other pheromones only appeal to women during ovulation. And then there’s also the matter of taste; and there’s no arguing about that of course!

* FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out

Cheating?

Everyone cheats from time to time, right? With pheromones, you can cheat as well. Pheromones are increasingly being added to perfumes. These perfumes then help make us more attractive to the opposite sex. But remember, it’s not just pheromones that play a role in attraction; many more factors go into it.

• 
  Taboo Libertin for Men - 50 ml
  Ruf
  £17.18
• 
  Taboo Frivole for Women - 50 ml
  Ruf
  £17.18

Did you know about these facts on pheromones? Or do you have something fun to add? Let us know in the comments!