Recently there is lot of research being published on pheromones affecting human behavior. Most animals use pheromones to communicate, signal and attract the opposite sex. Ants have been shown to use a natural chemical to mark the pathway between food and their nest for others to follow when returning with food.
Researchers have documented that pheromones are natural scents that alter the behavior in those that come into contact with them. In many species the females emit a scent to let the males know they are available for breeding. The males emit a scent to let females know they are ready for mating.
Pheromones were first discovered in the insect world and later in mammals. There is recent research that shows that human beings do emit certain chemicals through their sweat glands that attract the opposite sex. Some of the chemicals have no effect on others. Research indicates that sexual preference also is involved in the type of reaction elicited by their release.
Different Scents Cause Different Responses
There are different types of pheromones that are used by the animal world to elicit different responses. Many dogs and cats, for example use territorial chemicals in their urine to mark their territory. Such action is common in houses with more than one animal as they will stake out their ground for other animals within the home making it clear who is the boss. Plants also use alarm pheromones to warn other nearby vegetation that danger exists. The plants picking up the warning will then release chemicals to make them less appetizing for foraging herbivores.
Pheromones are used by some animals can attract members of the opposite sex up to two miles away. Typically, this is used by females of the species to attract males and although its attractant initially is strong, it wear off quickly. Other attractants are meant to attract the males within a much closer distance and initially is weaker, but will linger in the air longer.
For example boars emit pheromones to find a willing mate. The males will send the chemicals into the air in a cloud form over a group of sows. They then for the reaction of the sows and those that react to the scent are indicating they are ready to mate. Depending on the strength of the pheromones released the male can usually have their choice of available sows, but some sows may be more willing than others and begin to fight for the opportunity.
Humans Are Affected by Pheromones as Well
Recent studies in mice have found that pheromones create a strong attraction to members of the opposite sex, and this research is the foundation for marketing many products claiming to work for humans as well. While perfume and colognes have been used for many years to make humans more attractive to other humans, the prospect of them creating the same desire in people as in animals, is attractive to many individuals.
Just as every person is different in their chemical make up, pheromones on human skin will take on an aroma unique to the person wearing the scent. While the scent, straight out of the bottle may smell the same, it will represent a different pheromone footprint on each different person wearing the pheromones.
