What are Pheromones?
 
 
 
 

For More Information on pheromones, click below: Books: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality Pheromones and Reproduction   More Articles: Sniffing Out A Mate Signals In Our Sweat Human Pheromones Exist The Pheromone Revolution		According to the Webster dictionary, the word pheromone is defined as 'a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral respones'. The word pheromone is derived from the Greek words 'pheran' which means 'to transfer' and 'horman' meaning 'to excite'. Pheromones, also known as ectohormones, are naturally occurring chemical "scents" found in all insects, animals, and humans which are responsible for attracting the opposite sex.  Our perception of pheromones is on a subconscious level called instinct.  Instincts can be triggered with pheromones, which in turn dictate human sexual interaction.  When pheromones are inhaled, they send out a natural chemical signal of sex appeal. A number of pheromones and pheromone like substances have been shown in scientific studies to have an affect on a variety of human behaviors and hormonal processes. Pheromones help animals mark territory recognize mates signal sexual interest  They are considered to be the most primal form of communication, used by members of the same species to communicate with each other.   Pheromones can be detected from considerable distances which explains why male dogs can smell a female dog in heat from a mile away.  In humans, pheromones are responsible for accelerating puberty controlling women's menstrual cycles influencing sexual orientation how the brain develops how often and with whom we have sex The primary pheromone that men and women secrete is androstenone, secreted in small amounts and only when we sweat.  Wearing deodorants and antiperspirants actually clog and mask the pores that androstenone secretes from. Clinical experiments have shown that male human pheromones trigger a subconscious biological sexual response in women.  Women have a more acute sense of smell so they are able to pick up male human pheromones right away.   Pheromones do not have an overwhelming scent because they are detected subliminally through our vomeronasal organ (VNO).         Back To Top     Back  Home       2001 Jennifer N Singleton     Last Updated July 17, 2001