What Pheromones Reveal About Loving Life

Non-human insects, fish and mammals have pheromones, which are chemical signals that influence the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species. Pheromones could, for example, disclose the age, sex, and emotional state of an animal, along with its social and reproductive status.

Whether or not humans release pheromones, and the role they play in considering that humans have other systems for acquiring information, is a subject of debate and research.

While the basis of human pheromones is still being discovered, it is clear that humans communicate on a chemical level and, according to The Monell Chemical Senses Center, "It is much more than we thought."

Pheromones Possibly Influence Sexual Attraction

If you have ever found yourself inexplicably attracted to a stranger you just met, it could be due to your chemical signals that you find irresistible. Humans tend to be attracted to those who have a different genetic makeup, which is indicated with subtle odors (although it is likely that they will not consciously recognize them).

This ensures the genetic diversity of the species. For example, each of us is believed to have a "unique smell" because of a set of proteins called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHCs help regulate the immune system, and there is evidence that they also play a role in selecting a partner.

Ideally, you should select a partner with MHCs very different from yours, as this would diversify your child's immune system, and better prepare you to fight pathogens.

In one study, some women smelled the t-shirts worn by men and selected those with whom they would like to socialize more. Women tend to choose men with different MHC ... except when taking birth control pills.

When a woman is taking birth control pills, her odors preferences change. The pill essentially mimics pregnancy, and when a woman is pregnant, she tends to prefer the smell of men with MHCs similar to her own, perhaps as a biological sign of seeking and relating to supportive relatives compared to potential partners.

What this means is that when you are taking a hormonal contraceptive, you interfere with your biology and you risk producing hormonal imbalance that might have attracted you to men with similar chemical composition.

If you took contraceptives when you met your partner, you may feel less attracted to him when you stop taking them.

"Choosing a non-hormonal barrier method of contraception for a few months before getting married could be a way for a woman to check if she is still attracted to her partner."

Scientific evidence of 'Chemical Attraction'

There are many fascinating studies that show that there may actually be an unconscious chemistry between two people. Often this seems to be related to estrus, or the time in the woman's menstrual cycle when she is most fertile and able to conceive.

In one study professional erotic dancers participated in a gentlemen's club. Women gained most tips shortly before ovulation, the most fertile period, and fewer tips during menstruation. Women taking contraceptives, however, did not show any significant difference in tips throughout their cycle.

In a separate study, the men involved smelled the t-shirts worn by women who were about to ovulate. Men had higher testosterone levels than when they smelled the t-shirts of women who were not about to ovulate or those with a controlling scent.

"Therefore, olfactory cues that marked women's reproductive fertility levels were associated with specific endocrine responses in men - responses that have been linked to sexual behavior and the onset of romantic courtship."

There is a growing number of studies showing that aromatic communication can play a central role in mating ... not only in nonhuman mammals, but also in humans. For example, men may perceive women's "high-fertility" body odors (near ovulation) as more attractive than low-fertility body odors.5

A Woman's Fertility Status Can Influence a Man's Behavior

Research shows that even the subtle signs of female fertility influence mating cognition and male behavior and facilitate the "psychological and behavioral processes associated with the search for a sexual partner." According to a series of studies: 6

"In Study 1, men exposed to the odor of a woman near the highest levels of fertility show greater accessibility to sexual concepts. Study 2 showed that, among men who reported being sensitive to odors, signs olfactory fertility aroused women's perceptions of sexual arousal.

Study 3 revealed that in a face-to-face interaction, high levels of female fertility were associated with a greater tendency for men to make risky and behavioral decisions to imitate a female partner. Hence, subtle signs of fertility led to a cascade of processes related to the pairing of lower cognition to over-behavior reflecting the motivation of high mating. "

The opposite may also be true, since women who smelled the sweat of men said they felt less tense and more relaxed than women who smelled a placebo. The researchers also detected a change in luteinizing hormone, which typically arises just prior to ovulation (but also raises them hundreds of times during the menstrual cycle).

Beyond Romance: Chemical Signals May Influence Your Mood, Social Support and More

Chemical signals are not only reserved to attract a partner. They influence a complex set of biological processes and human relationships. For example:

• Women who smelled fear-induced sweat became mentally more alert and intelligent, according to a study in the Chemical Senses.11 According to the researchers, "humans can distinguish between fear and other emotional chemical signals based in olfactory signals. "

• Women who smelled the scent of 2-day-old babies increased activity in areas related to brain reward.

• Exposure to other women's pheromones can cause menstrual cycles

Curious Facts About Kissing and Pheromones

While we are on the subject of attraction, you may be surprised to know that first kiss (or many later) can serve a very important purpose. In fact, it can serve multiple purposes. As reported in TIME magazine: 8

1. Kissing Can Improve Your Immunity and PROVOKE EMITING OF THE PHEROMONES

A 10 second kiss can transfer 80 million germs from one mouth to another. By passing these bugs, your body can increase immunity against them. One of those "bugs" is the cytomegalovirus, which is lurking in the saliva. It usually does not cause problems, but can be extremely dangerous if caught during pregnancy and can kill unborn babies or cause birth defects.

Research suggests that kissing the same person for about six months can provide optimal protection and give women time to develop immunity against cytomegalovirus. Leeds University researcher, Dr. Colin Hendrie, wrote in the journal Medical Hypotheses

"The inoculation of the female of the cytomegalovirus of a specific male is achieved more efficiently through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange, particularly when the saliva flow is from male to female."

2. Kissing Is Another Way to Evaluate Your Possible Partner

Women rate kissing differently at different points in their menstrual cycle. When they are close to ovulation, the romantic kiss is considered more important.10

3. It could increase libido

The French kiss is enjoyed by men and women in long-term relationships, but in short-term relationships it is men who tend to prefer it. According to Laura Berman, PhD, assistant clinical professor of gynecology and obstetrics and psychiatry at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine: "One theory is that saliva transfers testosterone to a woman, which increases her sexual desire."

4. Boost Your State of Mind

Kissing causes the release of chemicals that make us feel good, such as endorphins while reducing levels of stress hormone, cortisol.

5. Strengthen Your Relationship

People who report frequent kissing have higher levels of sexual satisfaction in their relationship. Men who kiss frequently also report that they feel three times happier in their relationships than men who do not.

6. The Longest Kiss ...

The longest kiss award was taken by Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana Tiranarat, who kissed for 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds in 2013!