Pheromones and their role as aphrodisiacs: A review

Semwal, Alok; Kumar, Ratendra; Teotia, U. V. S.; Singh, Ramandeep

doi:10.1016/s2221-6189(13)60140-7

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Given this controversy, as well as problems with definitions of pheromones, concerns about how to design experiments testing the effects of AND and EST, and the confidential nature of the protocols and data of the commercial assay that uncovered the steroids, critics argue there are no grounds to assume that AND and EST are human pheromones [15,[20][21][22]. Despite the lack of evidence establishing AND and EST as pheromones [15], a body of human pheromone research has grown around the steroids, reporting various effects on behaviour, physiology and mood [23][24][25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putative sex-specific human pheromones do not affect gender perception, attractiveness ratings or unfaithfulness judgements of opposite sex faces

et al. 2017

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Debate continues over the existence of human sex pheromones. Two substances, androstadienone (AND) and estratetraenol (EST), were recently reported to signal male and female gender, respectively, potentially qualifying them as human sex pheromones. If AND and EST truly signal gender, then they should affect reproductively relevant behaviours such as mate perception. To test this hypothesis, heterosexual, Caucasian human participants completed two computer-based tasks twice, on two consecutive days, exposed to a control scent on one day and a putative pheromone (AND or EST) on the other. In the first task, 46 participants (24 male, 22 female) indicated the gender (male or female) of five gender-neutral facial morphs. Exposure to AND or EST had no effect on gender perception. In the second task, 94 participants (43 male, 51 female) rated photographs of opposite-sex faces for attractiveness and probable sexual unfaithfulness. Exposure to the putative pheromones had no effect on either attractiveness or unfaithfulness ratings. These results are consistent with those of other experimental studies and reviews that suggest AND and EST are unlikely to be human pheromones. The double-blind nature of the current study lends increased support to this conclusion. If human sex pheromones affect our judgements of gender, attractiveness or unfaithfulness from faces, they are unlikely to be AND or EST.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putative sex-specific human pheromones do not affect gender perception, attractiveness ratings or unfaithfulness judgements of opposite sex faces

et al. 2017

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“…This pathway is quite different from the canonic androgen synthesis [ 84 ]. Some sort of pheromone-like communication exists, in humans, based on these (and other) compounds, and basically acting in the direction from men to women [ 85 , 86 , 87 ].…”

Section: Types Of Androgens—synthesis Structure and Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Roles of Androgens in Humans: Biology, Metabolic Regulation and Health

Alemany

2022

IJMS

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Androgens are an important and diverse group of steroid hormone molecular species. They play varied functional roles, such as the control of metabolic energy fate and partition, the maintenance of skeletal and body protein and integrity and the development of brain capabilities and behavioral setup (including those factors defining maleness). In addition, androgens are the precursors of estrogens, with which they share an extensive control of the reproductive mechanisms (in both sexes). In this review, the types of androgens, their functions and signaling are tabulated and described, including some less-known functions. The close interrelationship between corticosteroids and androgens is also analyzed, centered in the adrenal cortex, together with the main feedback control systems of the hypothalamic–hypophysis–gonads axis, and its modulation by the metabolic environment, sex, age and health. Testosterone (T) is singled out because of its high synthesis rate and turnover, but also because age-related hypogonadism is a key signal for the biologically planned early obsolescence of men, and the delayed onset of a faster rate of functional losses in women after menopause. The close collaboration of T with estradiol (E2) active in the maintenance of body metabolic systems is also presented Their parallel insufficiency has been directly related to the ravages of senescence and the metabolic syndrome constellation of disorders. The clinical use of T to correct hypoandrogenism helps maintain the functionality of core metabolism, limiting excess fat deposition, sarcopenia and cognoscitive frailty (part of these effects are due to the E2 generated from T). The effectiveness of using lipophilic T esters for T replacement treatments is analyzed in depth, and the main problems derived from their application are discussed.

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“…On the other hand, human pheromone research has been criticized for several methodological shortcomings, such as the absence of chemical-specific bioassays; small sample sizes; p-hacking (Wyatt, 2015); ambiguous biochemistry (Semwal et al, 2013); lack of standard experimental controls (Mostafa et al, 2012); unrepresentativeness resulting from the fact that humans bathe regularly and mask their odors (e.g., with deodorants and perfumes), especially in dating contexts (Wyatt, 2015); and mistaken assumptions about humans’ olfactory abilities (Grammer et al, 2005) and functional anatomy (Liberles, 2014) for detecting pheromones. In addition, although studies documenting the effects of female ovulation on male behavior may reflect olfactory cues, they might also be attributable to downstream effects of ovulation, such as behavior, vocal pitch, or appearance (Haselton & Gildersleeve, 2011).…”

Section: Existing Research That Informs the Model Of Interpersonal Ch...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpersonal Chemistry: What Is It, How Does It Emerge, and How Does It Operate?

Regan

Lyubomirsky

2021

Perspect Psychol Sci

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Although chemistry is a well-known, sought-after interpersonal phenomenon, it has remained relatively unexplored in the psychological literature. The purpose of this article is to begin articulating a theoretically grounded and precise definition of interpersonal chemistry. To that end, we propose a conceptual model of interpersonal chemistry centered around the notion that when two or more individuals experience chemistry with one another, they experience their interaction as something more than the sum of their separate contributions. Our model stipulates that chemistry encompasses both behavior (i.e., what chemistry “looks like”) and its perception (i.e., what it “feels like”). The behavior involves interaction sequences in which synchronicity is high and in which people’s goals are expressed and responded to in supportive and encouraging ways. The perception of chemistry includes cognitive (i.e., perception of shared identity), affective (i.e., positive affect and attraction), and behavioral (i.e., perceived goal-relevant coordination) components. We review existing research on chemistry as well as supporting evidence from relevant topics (e.g., attraction, similarity, perceived partner responsiveness, synchrony) that inform and support this model. We hope that this conceptual model stimulates research to identify the circumstances in which chemistry arises and the processes by which it affects individuals, their interactions, and their relationships.

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Pheromones and their role as aphrodisiacs: A review

Cited by 8 publications

References 41 publications

Putative sex-specific human pheromones do not affect gender perception, attractiveness ratings or unfaithfulness judgements of opposite sex faces

Putative sex-specific human pheromones do not affect gender perception, attractiveness ratings or unfaithfulness judgements of opposite sex faces

The Roles of Androgens in Humans: Biology, Metabolic Regulation and Health

Interpersonal Chemistry: What Is It, How Does It Emerge, and How Does It Operate?

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