Pheromones in Fragrances Explained

Articles on Fragrances | Topics: fragrances, fragrance

by Winnie Young

Pheromones are defined as "a naturally occurring chemical compound found in all insects, animals and humans." There are different types of pheromones including alarm pheromones, sex pheromones, food trail pheromones and a host of others. When secreted from the body pheromones have a hand in attracting the opposite sex as well as in dictating to an extent, sexual behavior. It is sex pheromones that are most often discussed.

The word "pheromone" comes from the Greek word "pheran" which means to transfer and "horman" which means to excite. Pheromones are a very primitive form of communication in the animal world as they perform many functions such as allowing animals to recognize mates, signal sexual interest, mark territory, etc.

Pheromones are natural scents that both human beings and animals release in their saliva, perspiration and tears. The scent from these chemicals sends signals to the opposite sex about health, mood, status and sexual drive. However no one can actually smell these chemicals but instead they are detected on a subliminal level through our VNO system (or vomeronasal organ). The VNO system is made up of a small invisible receptor buried deep in the nose cavity which is able to distinguish pheromones and then send the signal to the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. The VNO was first discovered in 1703 by F. Ruysch. Pheromones are also detected by something called the Jacobson's organ which is located between the nose and the mouth. Generally speaking the more sex chemicals an individual secretes, the more sought after by the opposite sex they become.

Research done after 1986, found that pheromones do have a place in human sexual behavior and can be found in the highest quantities in sweat. However by showering and using many toiletry products, the action of these naturally occurring chemicals in the body is dulled. In men the chemical in human pheromones contains Androstenol and in women it is Andtrostenol.

Bit of History

A perfectly healthy sentence, it is true, is extremely rare. For the most part we miss the hue and fragrance of the thought; as if we could be satisfied with the dews of the morning or evening without their colors, or the heavens without their azure.

—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

Since we detect pheromones on a subconscious level only, fragrance makers have begun to reproduce human pheromones and incorporate them into fragrances. The fragrances that include human pheromones as an important ingredient work on most people who apply them to their skin but in varying degrees. It all depends on the receiver's sensitivity to his/her vomeronasal organ. Just like non-pheromone fragrances, one or two drops are best applied at the sides of the neck and/or to the inner wrists. Once applied to skin, human pheromones usually last about four to six hours or thereabouts. One bottle of human pheromones could effectively last, if used regularly, for four to six weeks. Pheromones do not need to be reapplied as often as other fragrances to work properly. Manufacturers of these fragrances charge varying prices for their products.

Fragrance companies are busy both focusing on the whole mystery surrounding human pheromones as well as funding research to determine whether or not it has an affect on mating rituals, sexual attraction and sexual arousal. It is well documented that animals emit pheromones that directly result in sexual behavior while research on human beings is ongoing. To use an example from the animal kingdom, a male pig secretes from his saliva a pheromone known as androstenone. When he does this a female pig picks up on the aroma, becomes sexually aroused and the mating ritual begins to take shape.

Due to the research on human pheromones, many people have come to conclude that the sexiest part of us, males and females alike, is our noses and that we all have a unique "special sexy scent" that is unlike anyone else's. Just as our pheromones can cause us to be attracted to another person they can also cause us to be turned off by someone else. Our body chemistry is intimately tied in with our sexual yearnings.

One of the most well known pheromone enhanced scents is called "Realm" and is manufactured by the Erox Corporation. Anatomist David L. Berliner created the scent in 1989 when he discovered that the addition of human pheromones to scents helped boost the self-confidence levels of men and also gave them a better sense of well being in relation to their interactions with women. More scents with human pheromones are now available on the market and the research into whether pheromones play a role in getting men and women together, and keeping them attracted to one another, are advancing all of the time.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Pheromones in Fragrances Explained" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by BeautyHairMakeup.com.

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