Love at First Sight or Just Pheromones?

Lust, love, and desire- with Valentine’s coming up tomorrow, we can’t help but wonder about the science behind falling in love. Many scientists believe that the pheromones in your body might be the real reason why you’re more attracted to some people versus others. Is it truly love at first sight or is it just the chemicals in your body making you feel this way?

WHAT ARE “PHEROMONES”?

To put it bluntly, pheromones are a type of hormone. While most hormones are produced internally, pheromones actually secrete outside of the body. Because of this, they’re referred to as “ectohormones”. These hormones are also known to trigger behavior changes in other individuals. With that said, pheromones were actually first discovered in female moths. They can also exist in a variety of other animal species as well. Studies show that they’re linked to common functions like attracting a mate, marking territory, and even interactions between a mother and offspring. Pheromones can be categorized into four different types:

1. Releasers- causes an immediate response in the recipient’s behavior and typically linked to sexual attraction
2. Primers - causes a change of developmental events and affects functions like your menstrual cycle, puberty, and pregnancy
3. Signalers- sends information to other members of a species and provide a genetic odor print. Ex. A newborn who innately knows who their mother is 
4. Modulators- works to synchronize and change bodily functions. They're also linked to monthly cycles

The human pheromone that are found in both men and women are called androsterone and androstenol, respectively. This pheromone is produced by the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries. They're releasedparticularlythrough sweat, skin, hair, and urine. Only 10% of men secrete a sufficient amount of androsterone to be deemed desirable. Women, on the other hand, secrete pheromones four times less than men! In addition to androstenol, women also secrete a pheromone called “copulin”. Studies show that copulin tends to be consistent with a women’s menstrual cycle.

WHAT CAN PHEROMONES AFFECT?

Many scientists believe that pheromones primarily affect sexual attraction. Researchers believe it does this through a unique “scent”. While it technically isn’t an odor, a specific area of your nasal tissue detects the pheromone. This then sends a signal to your brain and stimulates a person's desirability. Studies also show that individuals with an elevated level of pheromones are more likely to engage in more sex, feel more confident, and be interpreted as more sexually attractive. As a result, people are more drawn to these individuals, socially engage and bond with them more. The same could be said for the opposite. Not finding an individual attractive can mean that you aren’t genetically compatible with them. Pheromones are also known to affect the connection a mother has between her newborn.

• In one study, two breast pads were placed on either side of a newborn: one, the mother's and the other, a stranger's. The newborn always moved toward the pad that belonged to the mother. This indicated that we can detect each other through the unique “smell” pheromones give off.

Pheromones can affect your mood as well. For example, the “scent” produced by the pheromones that cause fear via perspiration can increase a person’s anxiety.

PHEROMONES IN PERFUMES

Speaking of scents, fragrance companies are beginning to incorporate man-made pheromone chemicals into their perfume bottles.

• One study back in 2005, performed by Professor Karl Grammar at the University of Vienna, discovered that men who applied topical perfumes that imitate the effects of natural pheromones, experienced a 52% improvement in success rate when conversing with women. They also noticed a 40% increase in compliments and flirting from women.
• In the same study, women who used the topical perfume noticed a 74% increase in intimacy and themselves being asked out on dates more.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While some people claim love is more than just attraction, it can’t be argued that pheromones do play a part in your initial interest in someone. Whether you choose to believe it or not, we hope it doesn’t stop your journey towards meeting that special someone. Happy Valentine’s Day <3