Pheromones are small organic
molecules which act as a form of
chemical communication
between two animals of the same
species. They are typically
secreted onto the skin or hair, and
then travel through the air and
have an effect when inhaled.
Very tiny amounts of pheromones
can have large effects when inhaled
There is a special organ in the nose called the vomeronasal organ (or VNO) which detects and reacts with pheromones, though recent research shows that pheromones may be able to work even without interacting with the VNO. People do not have to smell a pheromone to be affected by it – it has been shown that even very tiny quantities which are too diluted to have any odor still have an effect on the brain.
Pheromones are secreted or excreted through the skin, for instance through a man's sweat, but over the years, and through hygiene, deodorant, antiperspirants and showers, people wash pheromones away or cover them up. They then try to make up for the lost pheromones with perfumes, after-shaves and colognes to attract the opposite sex. Many companies, therefore, have produced pheromones and special pheromone-laced perfumes to help the attraction along.
