What are pheromones?
Pheromones are any chemical signal used to communicate between the members of a species. The existence of pheromones has been studied most thoroughly with respect to insects, but more complex species likely also possess pheromones. Their existence in humans has not been conclusively proved. If pheromone-excreting organs still exist in more complex species, they may be merely vestigal, as members of such species have developed more sophisticated ways to communicate. As a concrete example of a known pheromones, bees use isopentyl acetate as an alarm signal. “Guard bees” are capable of raising their abdomen and emitting pheromones, beating their wings to transmit the chemical further. In this way, an entire hive of bees can be made quickly aware of an incoming threat, allowing them to act in concert. When bees sting a target, high concentrations of pheromones are deposited along with the venom, encouraging other bees to aid in the attack, stinging the same place. The effects can be devast
To the scientist, pheromones act in a very different way from normal smells. Some years ago, researchers discovered the existence of a small organ in the nose of many animals (known as the VNO), which has a direct affect on social behavior. What makes this discovery important is that the VNO/pheromone effect is not dependent on any conditioning through experience. It is direct. Here is an example. If a man has sex with a particular woman regularly over a long period of time, and on every occasion she wears a particular cologne, gradually this scent will acquire the power of stimulating (attracting) the man all on its own. It is then very likely that any woman wearing this cologne will be perceived as attractive to the man. This is a pheromone-like reaction but in the strict definition of the word is NOT a pheromone reaction! It is acquired conditioning, similar to that of Pavlov’s salivating dogs. Pheromones do not depend on such associations with prior experience to do their work. The
If you haven’t already, please take the time to read the Introduction to Pheromones page. A lot is written about pheromones on the internet, but much of the information out there is inaccurate. You can usually rely on “scientific” websites, but even they have their bad apples, some of which are displaying outdated information on pheromones or have fallen victim to the many pheromone fallacies that exist. Even worse are the plethora of junk pheromone stores which are the usual perpetrators and proliferators of the inaccurate pheromone information. Here we will be discussing exactly what a pheromone is (please note: not all of this is established science, but it is the most up to date understanding of pheromones even if it isn’t academically supported).
Pheromone definition: Pheromones are naturally occurring substances the fertile body excretes externally, conveying an airborne message to trigger a response from the opposite sex of the same species. Pheromones were first defined in 1959 as chemical substances excreted by animals to trigger REPRODUCTIVE behavioral response from a recipient of the same species. It was in 1986 that Dr. Winnifred Cutler, founder of Athena Institute, and her colleagues conducted the first controlled scientific studies to document the existence of pheromones in humans. Prior to their landmark research there were no conclusive indications that pheromones were excreted by humans. By 1999, from a biological perspective, the term pheromone can be defined as a chemical excreted by animals that promotes behaviors which PERPETUATE THE SPECIES. Now in 2005, the scientific literature recognizes four classes of pheromones; territorial markers, mother-infant, menstrual synchrony, and the fourth class that is the area
The annals of time are filled with countless stories of men diligently searching for the impeccable love potion . Finally, there is a solution…..PHEROMONES. For over 20 years, universities, scientist’s and the media alike, all the across the world, have done research, experiments and studies on the power of pheromones. The information on the male human pheromone Androstenone was gathered from these sources and other manufacturers of pheromone products for men intended to attract women and are deemed reliable. Pheromones are a naturally occurring chemical compound found in all insects, animals, and humans. When Pheromones are secreted they dictate sexual behavior and attract the opposite sex. Pheromone is Greek from the word Pheran-to transfer and Horman- to excite. Pheromones are found throughout the living world and are the most ancient form of animal communication. Pheromones are natural scents, which play an important role in sexual communication. Animals and humans release masses
