EQ: What affect do pheromones have on the human body?

Pheromones Pheromones are not smells Pheromones are chemical signals sent from one animal to another

Pheromones Pheromones either induce a behavior in another animal or cause some physiological change Very common in insects...not so common in mammals...unclear role in humans

Pheromones In humans, it is secreted into circulation by the adrenal gland through sweat, urine, and saliva.

Fun Facts about Pheromones For example: Alpha Androstenol, found in male pig saliva, causes a female pig to allow the male to mate with her In humans, it is secreted into circulation by the adrenal gland through sweat, urine, and saliva.

Fun Facts about Pheromones Alpha androstenol is also found in the sweat of human males! Does alpha androstenol (or pheromones in general) affect humans? Design an (ethical) experiment…

Fun Facts about Pheromones Kirk-Smith & Booth (1980) sprayed some of the seats in a dentist’s waiting room with alpha androstenol Compared to a control condition, more women used the alpha androstenol seat

Fun Facts about Pheromones Fewer men used the alpha androstenol seat !

Pheromones Other possible ways in which pheromones influence humans: synchronization of menstrual cycles mate selection - attraction to opposite major histocompatibility complex

Pheromones Pheromones do not control behavior! Human behavior is largely under top-down influences, but may be affected subtly by pheromones