Can atmospheric chemists rescue the stalled quest for a human pheromone?

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Kupferschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Human Pheromone

scholarly journals The search for human pheromones: the lost decades and the necessity of returning to first principles

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1804) ◽  
pp. 20142994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristram D. Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
First Principles ◽  
Physiological Response ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Sebaceous Glands ◽  
Lactating Mothers ◽  
Human Pheromones ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Human Pheromone

As humans are mammals, it is possible, perhaps even probable, that we have pheromones. However, there is no robust bioassay-led evidence for the widely published claims that four steroid molecules are human pheromones: androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone and estratetraenol. In the absence of sound reasons to test the molecules, positive results in studies need to be treated with scepticism as these are highly likely to be false positives. Common problems include small sample sizes, an overestimate of effect size (as no effect can be expected), positive publication bias and lack of replication. Instead, if we are to find human pheromones, we need to treat ourselves as if we were a newly discovered mammal, and use the rigorous methods already proven successful in pheromone research on other species. Establishing a pheromone relies on demonstration of an odour-mediated behavioural or physiological response, identification and synthesis of the bioactive molecule(s), followed by bioassay confirmation of activity. Likely sources include our sebaceous glands. Comparison of secretions from adult and pre-pubertal humans may highlight potential molecules involved in sexual behaviour. One of the most promising human pheromone leads is a nipple secretion from the areola glands produced by all lactating mothers, which stimulates suckling by any baby not just their own.

Is Androstadienone a Putative Human Pheromone?

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1213-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Marazziti ◽  
P. Torri ◽  
S. Baroni ◽  
M. Catena Dell'Osso ◽  
G. Consoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Pheromone

scholarly journals Scalable interrogation: Eliciting human pheromone responses to deception in a security interview setting

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 26-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex W. Stedmon ◽  
Peter Eachus ◽  
Les Baillie ◽  
Huw Tallis ◽  
Richard Donkor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Pheromone ◽  
Interview Setting

scholarly journals A Putative Human Pheromone, Androstadienone, Increases Cooperation between Men

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e62499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paavo Huoviala ◽  
Markus J. Rantala
Keyword(s):  
Human Pheromone

Androstenol, a putative human pheromone, affects human (Homo sapiens) male choice performance.

1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Gustavson ◽  
Michael E. Dawson ◽  
Douglas G. Bonett
Keyword(s):  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Male Choice ◽  
Choice Performance ◽  
Human Pheromone
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