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Perfumes and PheromonesWhat do perfumes and pheromones have in common? Among the many reasons to purchase and wear perfume is to make oneself more attractive to the opposite sex. In recent years, several perfume companies have developed fragrances with pheromone additives. These perfume products are advertised as having aphrodisiac qualities which leads us to assume that there is a link between perfumes and pheromones, but is there a real connection between perfume and pheromones?
What is a Pheromone?
A pheromone is a chemical produced by a living organism that communicates a message to other members of the same species. In the animal kingdom, scientists have found many different types of pheromones, each with its own chemical message to convey. Although odorless, pheromones may be part of the “scent marking” animals use to claim their territories. Some pheromones help an animal discern whether it belongs in a certain colony or family group and finally, pheromones tell animals if they are same-sex or potential mates. Although pheromones once were believed to be specific to animals other than humans, there is evidence that human pheromones also exist. For instance, baby sitters often sooth fussy babies simply by laying them on their parents’ bed. However, it remains unclear whether pheromone messaging is a factor in such instances or if the lingering scent of their parents comforts the child.
Perfumes and pheromones – is there a connection?Perfume companies that add pheromones to their fragrances would have you believe that pheromones are a romantic attractant. Still, scientific studies have failed to offer conclusive proof of their theories on perfumes and pheromones. Dr. Martha McClintock, a University of Chicago biopsychologist, began researching pheromones in 1971 and today is considered as an expert in pheromone research. In an interview published in the March 17, 2000 Chicago Tribune, she is quoted as saying, "They don't work directly, but can modulate how we feel and influence our moods." Continuing she said, "A pheromone won't make you suddenly turn on the sidewalk and follow somebody's perfume trail, or stand there dumbstruck, unable to move – as they do, in effect, in animals and insects. But they definitely do have an effect on the emotional state of people." However, on publishing a year 2000 study with colleague Suma Jacob, McClintock remarked, “What is really important is to realize that psychology and social interaction also regulate the biology.” To pheromone or not to pheromone?When purchasing pheromone enhanced perfume, remember that the pheromone is an odorless additive that has minimal connection (if any) to the perfume. The primal nature of pheromones is to attract opposite-sex partners to result in successful mating. The pheromone is a chemical messaging system, independent of fragrance. Perfume, in itself, is a genuine attractant, formulated from fragrances that revive pleasant memories and in doing so, wearing a familiar fragrance adds present occasions to our chain of memories. Each perfume uses the olfactory sense to elicit different memories from each individual. This property is the romantic nature of perfume and fragrance. While pheromones may or may not help you find a sexual partner, perfume can help you find a companion who, if nothing more, enjoys the same fragrances as you do.
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