Pheromones Articles

Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC

Pheromones are chemicals animals produce that members of the same species can sense. These chemicals can change behavior and activate instincts when an animal is exposed to them. While associated with sex, pheromones have other effects connected to socialization and connection.  

Pheromones are ectohormones. Regular hormones are internal, impacting only the person experiencing them. Ectohormones are secreted and can affect someone nearby. Different species emphasize different levels of importance when it comes to pheromone communication. Insects, for instance, use mostly pheromones to connect with other insects. Meanwhile, humans are more complex. 

How Pheromones Affect Animals And Humans 

Pheromone releases in animals occur for various reasons. Besides attraction, pheromones may be released to stake territory or show other animals in a group when food is present. They may use pheromones to repel others or raise an alarm should danger strike. 

Pheromones have been a recent phenomenon in science, discovered in 1959 by biochemist Adolf Butenandt. The first identified pheromone was called Bombykol, emitted from female moths to attract male moths. These pheromones were discovered first because they’re simpler to study in a lab. Humans can use insect pheromones to repel pests. Mammals, meanwhile, have more complex ways of communication.

Mammals experience pheromones thanks to the vomeronasal (VNO), also known as Jacobson’s organ. This organ has a connection to the hypothalamus part of the brain. Scientists have found VNO in human fetuses, but it goes away by birth. Currently, how humans respond to pheromones is unknown, and no specific hormones have been extracted or studied at this time in humans.  

“Pheromones For Sale:” Understanding Their Effectiveness 

Pheromones you can buy in stores are hotly debated in terms of validity. You may see sellers promising pheromone-based love potions to make a person more attracted to you. They may claim that these sprays can cause someone you’re interested in to fall in love with you by smell alone, regardless of your personality or looks.  

Despite the myths, there is no scientific evidence backing up these ingredients. Some who swear by pheromones may be dealing with the placebo effect or confirmation bias. If you want to find love, improving your social interactions may be a better way to increase your chances.

The Four Pheromone Types 

Four types of pheromones exist: the releaser, primer, signaler, and modulator. The releaser is released immediately. It occurs when a stimulus is sensed, and a response occurs in the body.  

Primers are released due to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and other hormone-altering events. They can affect the hormones of others. In certain mammals, they are more powerful and can lead to physiological changes in those around them. 

People identify other humans by their faces, voice, and physical features. Meanwhile, animals may use signaler pheromones to identify their children and other animals. The pheromones a mother detects helps identify their baby and may help the baby find their mother or drink milk. Signaler pheromones are part of how animals communicate.

A modulator pheromone can change bodily functions. These pheromones are detected in sweat, and they can have relaxing properties and may affect menstrual cycles. However, these pheromones have been more heavily studied in animals. 

The Reality Of Pheromones

Artificial pheromones that claim to increase your attraction are not real. Spraying cologne or perfume on you can make you smell better, but these chemicals won’t magically attract someone to you. Pheromones do not entirely control humans and animals but may impact emotions and actions. More studies are needed to understand the impacts of these chemicals fully.

Support Options 

If you want to speak with someone about attracting others or improving your socialization skills, you may benefit from talking to a therapist. However, it can be challenging to attend in-person therapy if you have social fears or other mental health challenges. In these cases, online platforms like BetterHelp may be beneficial.

Through an online platform, you can discuss pheromones and other topics of attraction with a licensed specialist via phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, you can attend therapy from home, which may seem safer than commuting to a faraway session in an office. 

Studies also back up the effectiveness of online therapy. One study found that online therapy could be more effective for symptom reduction of anxiety and depression than in-person therapy, offering cost-effectiveness and increased quality of life to participants.

Takeaway 

Pheromones are real biochemicals that animals secrete from glands and other body areas to communicate conscious or subconscious messages. These pheromones have not yet been found in humans, but some preliminary studies are hopeful. To learn more about pheromones, consider contacting a licensed therapist and reading through the articles above.