Pheromone, a chemical to attract mates: do humans have?

Have you ever heard of the term pheromone? Pheromones, in English are called pheromone, is a type of chemical substance that is produced naturally by living things. According to experts, this unique substance can be a sexual attraction in itself. How interesting, right? Come on, learn more about pheromones and their functions below.

Know pheromone and its functions

Substance pheromone first recognized in 1959 by scientists from Germany. The scientists found that animals, especially insects, would produce pheromone when the mating season. This unique substance usually comes out through the sweat glands or oil glands in animals.

The pheromones produced from the animal's body then escape into the air and are captured by the male animal's sense of smell. Male animals that catch this substance will then come to female animals to reproduce.

The researchers also found that the pheromones produced by each animal appeared to produce a distinctive aroma. Even between one female mouse and another have their own aroma. From there, male mice will choose the female with the pheromone scent that he thinks is best for reproducing.

Do humans have pheromone?

The idea that animals can produce special substances when they are matchmaking sounds great. If it turns out that animals have such abilities, what about humans themselves? Are humans also capable of producing and capturing substances pheromone of his potential mate?

Unfortunately, until now there has been no evidence of pheromones released by humans. There are naturally occurring chemicals released by the human body, but their structures are too complex to be called pheromones.

Further research is needed to determine whether humans actually have pheromones and what the exact structure of these substances is. However, there are some promising research results.

One of them is by Florida State University in 2011. This research reveals that when a woman enters ovulation, her body will release a special aroma that can increase male testosterone levels. Testosterone itself is known as a hormone that can increase libido or sexual desire, both in men and women.

Another study in 2012 in the Journal of Advanced Research stated that there is a special substance produced by men, called androstenone, which functions much like pheromones. Androstenon is reported to be able to improve mood female study participants who received exposure to the substance.

So, can humans give off an alluring scent?

Indeed, there is no concrete evidence about pheromones to increase sexual attractiveness in humans. However, from the results of various recent studies, the theory that humans have pheromones seems very likely. Experts may just need new research methods or more sophisticated tools to prove the existence of these substances.

Apart from the pheromones themselves, humans do have a distinctive scent. This aroma is determined by the lifestyle, diet, and health condition of each person.

Unconsciously, you may have “recorded” the scent of a loved one. So when the smell is captured by the sense of smell and the brain, you feel more comfortable. This case often occurs in babies who learn to recognize the figure of their mother through the mother's distinctive scent.

Since your brain has already remembered that your mom's scent is so pleasant, later when looking for a spouse you may be more attracted to people who smell similarly.