Pheromones like hormones, are secretions that act as chemical signals. While hormones change the behaviour of target cells elsewhere in the body, pheromones are odours that ‘carry stimulation’ (from the Greek phero and horma) and change the behaviour of other creatures of the same species that pick up the scent. Pheromones are widespread in the animal world, from the single-celled amoeba to human beings. A classic example is the pheromone emitted by female gypsy moths, which can be detected by sensory receptors on the antennae of a male moth 1 Km or more away, enabling it to home in on the female. Unspayed female dogs can attract males from a similar distance. Ants have a ‘lexicon’ of different pheromones, which they use to elicit attacks on or flight from predators, to mark trails, and so on. Territorial mammals often mark their territory with pheromones in their urine, or rubbed on to ‘scenting posts’ from glands in their skin. There seems to be genetically determined variation of pheromones among individuals of some species, enabling them to recognize mates, offspring or intruders on their territory. Although humans appear to have lost much of the olfactory sensitivity of their mammalian ancestors, recent research suggests that body odours, not necessarily consciously perceived, play an important role in social interaction. Human sweat acquires a distinctive odour at puberty, but urine, as well as genital secretions, may also contain pheromones. The well-known synchronization of the menstrual cycles of nuns and girls at boarding school is probably mediated by odour, and there is evidence that smell enables mothers to distinguish their own children's clothing from that worn by others. Sexual preference is certainly influenced by smell: love may indeed be largely a matter of ‘chemistry’.

What are pheromones?

Pheromones are chemical scent signals that all humans/mammals give off. Subconsciously detected, pheromones give information about your immune system, your fertility, your current state of sexual interest… and the list goes on. Some of these pheromones target the opposite sex, and naturally trigger attraction arousal and readiness for sex. With the right chemical-hormonal signals, she automatically, instinctively responds – without even realizing what is drawing her to you!

How are pheromones detected?

Pheromone signals are detected through an organ 3 inches inside the nose called the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO). When the VNO detects the pheromone, it sends a response signal to the brain. So, while the sense of smell is usually discussed in studies of pheromone attraction, it is really a chemical response that occurs, rather than a specific identifiable smell. In other words, she responds to your chemistry on a subconscious level, with feelings of attraction, arousal, interest and excitement.

CNN.com

June 25, 1999

Pheromones: Potential participants in your sex life

By Deb Levine, M.A.

(WebMD) -- You've never heard of pheromones? Well, it's time to learn about the part they play in your sex life, because it could be substantial. The concept of a human pheromone, or sexual scent of attraction, has been debated and researched for years.

In most animals, the relationship between pheromones and mating is straightforward. Sea urchins, for example, release pheromones into the surrounding water, sending a chemical message that triggers other urchins in the colony to eject their sex cells simultaneously.

Human pheromones, on the other hand, are highly individualized, and not always noticeable. In 1986 Dr. Winifred Cutler, a biologist and behavioral endocrinologist, codiscovered pheromones in our underarms. She and her team of researchers found that once any overbearing underarm sweat was removed, what remained were the odorless materials containing the pheromones.

Pheromones In Male Perspiration Reduce Women's           
Tension, Alter Hormone Response

Trends in Neurosciences
Volume 26, Issue 12, December 2003, Pages 646-650

PHILADELPHIA -- Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and the
Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia have found that
exposure to male perspiration has marked psychological and
physiological effects on women: It can brighten women's moods,
reducing tension and increasing relaxation, and also has a direct effect
on the release of luteinizing hormone, which affects the length and timing
of the menstrual cycle.

The results will be published in June in the journal Biology of
Reproduction and currently appear on the journal's Web site.

"It has long been recognized that female pheromones can affect the
menstrual cycles of other women," said George Preti, a member of the
Monell Center and adjunct professor of dermatology in Penn's School of
Medicine. "These findings are the first to document mood and
neuroendocrine effects of male pheromones on females."

Shopping for pheromones today has become a bit of a minefield. Why? Trying to avoid stepping on the pheromone scam designed to trade you an inferior product for your hard earned cash.

Can it really happen? Sure but the problem is spotting the pheromone scammers who see it as an opportunity to cash in on a business which has literally taken off into mega proportions during the past five years.

Real pheromones
can work very well. The problems is cutting through the hype to find out which ones are real and work, which ones are real and kinda work, and which ones are totally worthless.