Pheromones are chemicals that are secreted by animals and insects and they have the ability to affect and change behavior in members of the opposite sex of that particular species, especially when used to attract for mating purposes. It is unclear as to whether humans secrete these chemicals or are able to detect them, but this has not stopped researchers from attempting to create a pheromone perfume that may be a “magic” key to human attraction. Humans are apparently not able to detect pheromones by scent, but rather it is thought that the chemical is picked up by another organ located elsewhere in the olfactory system. Clinical trials on the effects of pheromone perfume seem to be contradictory but there does seem to be a belief that pheromones do actually cause some reaction in humans, but it is still not known exactly how it works and to what extent.
There are a number of different types of communication that pheromones are used for in the animal and insect kingdom, and possibly within human societies. Some of these can include releaser pheromones, signal pheromones, territorial pheromones and sex pheromones. The releaser pheromones serve to get as quick a response as possible, whether it be attracting a mate, or signaling to offspring that it is time to feed. The territorial variety is usually laid down via urine in a generally perimeter of the home base or nest. Signal pheromones typically create an immediate response in other animals to warn them of potential danger.
Some studies claim to have shown that certain chemicals placed into pheromone perfume manage to attract members of the opposite sex. Pheromone perfume manufacturers claim that their products are able to quickly create trust and popularity in social situations. There are different perfumes for different situations and responses a person might want to elicit without having to change or modify their personality. It is also recommended that the pheromone perfume be worn sparingly at first and then gradually built up to gauge and get used to potential responses. Wearing too much may have the opposite effect and actually repel the person due to an overload of pheromones.
The effect of pheromone perfume on humans seems to be individualized and can vary from person to person. Some manufacturers claim that some of their products have sex or aphrodisiac pheromones in them. Despite these claims, scientists have not yet managed to show whether pheromones can actually affect the actions and behavior of human beings.
