Pheromones, often referred to as nature’s silent communicators, are chemical messengers that influence behavior among members of the same species. In humans, their role, especially in sexual attraction, has been a subject of intrigue and debate. Featured in another MBG Relationships article, our founder, Dr. Dana McNeil PsyD, LMFT, offered valuable insights into this phenomenon.
According to Dr. McNeil, pheromones are “hormone-like chemical messengers that send information outside of the body.” Unlike typical hormones that operate internally, pheromones function externally, affecting the behavior of others within the same species.
Pheromones are famously thought to increase sexual desire, among other subliminal effects on human behavior, says psychologist Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT. They “act as an agent of change,” encouraging certain behaviors, she explains, though those may include survival-related behaviors like sensing predators, locating nearby food, or engaging in other protective mannerisms, in addition to potentially influencing the desire to seek out intimacy and sexual activity.
Dr. McNeil also explains the pheromones for men and women, and their effects. The idea connecting pheromones with sexual attraction focuses on specific compounds like androstadienone, a pheromone produced by men that is believed to attract women, and androstenone, which is associated with signaling dominance or aggression.
According to McNeil, men also secrete a greater amount of a potential pheromone known as androstanol, which is thought to be present in sweat and may activate a portion of the hypothalamus and androstenone, which is thought to signal dominance or aggressiveness. Women also secrete the potential pheromones copulin and estratetraenol, which reach a peak during their ovulation cycle, McNeil explains.
Furthermore, Dr. McNeil also identified a type of pheromone known as the ‘Signaler Pheromones’, she explains:
Signaler pheromones provide information and social cues. On top of determining age and sex, it also yields a unique genetic odor print so potent that mothers can recognize their newborns by smell alone17, an ability that fathers may not have. Shafipour adds scent is one of the key factors that help bond a mother and baby and may play a role in early attachment behavior.
While the existence and influence of human pheromones remain subjects of scientific debate, Dr. Dana McNeil’s insights highlight their potential role in shaping human behavior and attraction. As research progresses, a deeper understanding of these chemical messengers may illuminate the complexities of human interactions and relationships.
You can read the full article here.