Comments on: Human pheromones: wishful thinking

By: James V. Kohl

James V. Kohl — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:30:39 +0000

Kohl (2012) Human pheromones and food odors: epigenetic influences on the socioaffective nature of evolved behaviors. Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology 2: 17338
– DOI: 10.3402/snp.v2i0.17338

Conclusion (excerpts)
“… when viewed from the consistency of animal models and conditioned behaviors, food odors are obviously more important to food selection than is our visual perception of food. Animal models affirm that food odor makes food either appealing or unappealing. Animal models reaffirm that it is the pheromones of other animals that makes them either appealing or unappealing.”

“Olfaction and odor receptors provide a clear evolutionary trail that can be followed from unicellular organisms to insects to humans. (Keller et al., 2007; Kohl, 2007; Villarreal, 2009; Vosshall, Wong, & Axel, 2000).”

By: Helenck

Helenck — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:34:53 +0000

Depends on which ‘raw man’ you’re talking about…

By: James V. Kohl

James V. Kohl — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:31:03 +0000

I think most people don’t realize researchers like Doty and me have vested interests. If I had missed out on any understanding of the concept of human pheromones throughout a long career, like Doty has, I might also try to convince others they are being suckered in, as in many cases, they are. But, Doty and many other researchers are familiar with my work, and its validation via my publications and research presentations. For Doty to avoid mentioning anything about me or my work in his book was not likely to be an error due to forgetfulness. Only by ignoring the biological basis that I have fully detailed to explain how mammalian pheromones, including human pheromones work, can Doty get away with his ridiculous ruse.

By: A Little Curious

A Little Curious — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:06:25 +0000

I thought when I read this link this article would discuss when pheromones actually worked in one’s benefit. I mean affecting one’s behavior. Wishful thinking.

Anyway,
I really am glad I came across this blog.

Thanks for posting.

By: James V. Kohl

James V. Kohl — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:47:09 +0000

It is precisely the same as when the females of other species sniff out a potential mate among a group of males, or sniff out their choice of food from among a selection of foods. What, in your opinion, is not the same? Women can sniff out differences in genetically determined “tissue type” as someone already indicated — just like every other species. For all we know, the article author, Doty, and others who say there’s no such thing as human pheromones are either beyond hope of increasing their ability to attract, or expect immediate sexual gratification due to pheromone-enhanced product use. That’s just pitiful!

By: Flippy Robot

Flippy Robot — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:38:14 +0000

Yeh I agree, this whole pheromone product brigade is nonsense. I doubt any of these chemicals produce arousal in the opposite sex.

Natural pheromones might play a part in our sexual selection, but they are only a small part of all the other myriad of things going on.

Plus, our abilities to sniff out pheromones is greatly reduced compared to other animals. Sure, at a subliminal level pheromones *might* be passing information from one person to another, but it’s not same as a female being able to sniff out a potential mate among a group of males.

By: James V. Kohl

James V. Kohl — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:23:26 +0000

I posted a follow-up to the report at Slate, with additional links to studies of sheep and goats clearly showing the error attributed to Dr. Doty’s logic. There is also a link to our presentation of results at the Association for Chemoreception Sciences that show a mixture of androstenol and androsterone influences women’s behavior.
http://pheromones.com/trust-the-science-dont-trust-the-hype

By: Simoleon Sense » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup 141: A Curated Linkfest For The Smartest People On The Web

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:47:20 +0000

[...] Human pheromones: wishful thinking – via MindHacks- Slate has a fantastic article about the science of scents and why ‘attraction-boosting’ human pheromone products are selling nothing but myths. [...]

By: Victoria

Victoria — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:14:56 +0000

I agree that alleged pheromone-containing products are nonsense, but I can’t be sure about pheromones per se. I can sniff out a man at 20 paces or so. In my experience they come in three basic scents: 1. Wowza 2. Neutral and 3. Don’t go there. (the last usually smelling like a male relative.)

I doubt this could be reproduced in a lab, but it’s saved me from a lot of bad dates (which I guess would be the point, after all.)