Abstract

This study tested whether synthesized human male pheromones increase the sociosexual behavior of men. Previous data showed such was the case in women. 38 heterosexual men, aged 26-42, completed a 2-week baseline period and 6-week placebo controlled, double-blind trial testing a pheromone "designed to improve the romance in their lives". Each man kept daily behavioral records for 6 sociosexual behaviors FAXing them weekly:

Sexual intercourse
Sleeping next to a romantic partner
Petting/affection/kissing
Informal dates
Formal dates
Self stimulation to ejaculation (masturbation)

Significantly more pheromone than placebo users increased above baseline in

Sexual intercourse and
Sleeping next to a romantic partner.


There was a tendency for more pheromone users than placebo users to increase above baseline in

Petting/affection/kissing, and
Informal dates.

No significant difference resulted from pheromone use vs. placebo use for

Self stimulation to ejaculation or
Formal dates.

A larger proportion of pheromone than placebo users increased in

>=2 of the 5 sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner (58% vs. 19%); and
>=3 of the 5 sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner (41% vs. 9.5%).

Thus, human male pheromones topically applied in aftershave lotion caused a significant increase in male sociosexual behaviors in which a woman's sexual interest plays a role, but not in male masturbation which clearly reflects male sexual interest. We suggest that human male pheromones increased the sexual attractiveness of men to women.

Results

During the 6 experimental weeks, daily calendars showed an average use of the aftershave of 5.82 (± .98) days per week for pheromone users and 5.29 (± 1.24) days per week for placebo users. Usage did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (t<1).

The proportion of subjects in the pheromone and placebo groups who increased over baseline are detailed in Table II.

click on image to see table II full-size

A significantly higher proportion of pheromone users than placebo users showed an increase over baseline for Sexual intercourse and Sleeping next to a romantic partner.

There was a tendency for a greater number of pheromone users to increase above baseline in Petting/affection/kissing and Informal dates.

The proportions of pheromone and placebo users showing an increase over baseline in Self-stimulation to ejaculation and Formal dates did not differ significantly.

A larger proportion of pheromone than placebo users increased over baseline in >=2 (p=.01) and >= 3 (p=.02) of the five sociosexual behaviors involving a female partner.

A significantly higher proportion of pheromone (47%) than placebo users (24%) perceived positive results during the 6-week experimental period (Z=5.05, p <.001).

Copyright (c) 1996-1999 Athena Institute. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Athena Institute is prohibited.