In the early 1980’s, researchers presented strong evidence that like animals, humans have a special organ in our nose that detects chemical signals. This organ is called the VNO (Vomeronasal Organ). It’s entrance is in the nostrils through two tiny slits almost invisible to the naked eye. In animals, the VNO detects chemical messages from another animal of the same species. These messages are called “Pheromones” , from the Greek Pherein, “to carry” and Hormon, “to excite”.

Pheromones are like airborne hormones. As their name implies, they excite!

The discovery of a human VNO raised many questions: Do humans produce pheromones? Are humans affected by pheromones? If so, how?

In 1970, Dr. David Berliner was a professor of anatomy at the University of Utah. As part of his research on the chemistry of the skin, he scraped skin cells from the used plaster casts of skiers who had broken bones on the Utah slopes. He made extracts from the cells and put them in open vials in his laboratory. A strange thing began to occur. The hectic lab quieted down. The usual bickering stopped and lab workers became cheerful. When Berliner capped the vials, the lab reverted to its customary noisy discord. This happened on more than one occasion. It seemed that when Berliner kept the vials open, people seemed to be in a better mood. Whatever was occurring, it was not happening through the sense of smell, for the extract had no odor. He conducted a double blind study to measure the electric impulses in the VNO through a probe as fine as hair. Berliner’s findings raised intriguing questions: Are human sex pheromones aphrodisiacs? The following is a summary of what researchers have learned:

Humans begin making pheromones at the age of puberty. Most pheromones are produced in the sweat glands (apocrine glands) that are attached to hair follicles. Apocrine glands appear in areas where hair is concentrated on chest and around nipples, the underarms, genital and anal areas and naval. Hairs trap gland secretions next to the skin where bacteria begin to decompose them. During the decomposition process, pheromones are released into the air as our sweat evaporates from our skin. Once airborne, they can be read by another passing human.

Male pheromones are accompanied by a musky odor which forms part of the male scent. Women carry a sweet and subtle scent. A woman’s odor fluctuates with hormones Estrogen and Progestrone levels during her monthly cycle. Pheromones vary with individual levels of hormones, biochemistry and genetics.

Each of us has a smell print - a signature scent as unique as our fingerprints.

Are Pheromones Aphrodesiacs?
According to Dr. David Berliner, human sex pheromones are not technically aphrodisiacs in that they do not directly stimulate sexual activity. Rather, they enhance sensuality and improve moods.

How does the Male Pheromone Affect Women?
Regular exposure to male pheromones helps to normalize the menstrual cycle. It makes the cycle shorter and more regular.

Each month, a woman’s susceptibility to male pheromones peaks at the time of ovulation when she is most fertile. Exposure to male pheromones in musk can cause women to ovulate more readily and become more easily aroused.

Regular exposure to male pheromones accelerates the beginning of puberty for girls.

How does the Female Pheromone Affect Men?
Regular contact with women reportedly makes the beard grow more rapidly. The presence of female pheromones can stimulate the production of male hormones. This, in turn, stimulates beard growth.

There is anecdotal evidence from sexual folklore that the sweat and vaginal secretions of a woman are aphrodisiacs, but this has not been scientifically proven (both these secretions contain female pheromones).