At the heart of our fascination with our partner's scent lies the science of pheromones. (Source: Freepik)
You remember the ad for that one deodorant where one swipe of perfume would have women falling over themselves to get to the man? Unlike what the makers of that deodorant would have you believe, the sense of smell doesn’t work that way.
In matters of love, the senses play a profound role, with touch, sight, and sound often taking centre stage. However, one often overlooked yet incredibly powerful aspect of attraction is the sense of smell. There’s an undeniable allure to the unique fragrance of our romantic partners, a phenomenon that goes beyond simple biology.
At the heart of our fascination with our partner’s scent lies the science of pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signals emitted by the body that play a role in attraction and communication between individuals. While the science behind human pheromones is still a subject of debate, there’s a consensus that our natural scents can influence how we perceive and are drawn to others.
But before we can understand any of that, we need to know how olfaction, or smelling, works in our bodies.
What goes behind our like or dislike of a smell?
Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, consultant psychiatrist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai, explained that molecules from substances having smell (e.g. food/flowers/etc) enter the nostrils and interact with a small patch of specialised tissue having millions of receptors (like your erogenous zones) responsible for detecting specific odours.
Thus the brain interprets smell based on previous experiences. (Repesentational: File/Google DeepMind via Pexels)
“From here the signals go to the olfactory cortex in the brain, which integrates this information with other sensory inputs to create the perception of the smell. Thus the brain interprets smell based on previous experiences,” Dr Ajinkya told indianexpress.com.
This is why we have strong emotional responses to certain smells as they trigger certain memories or emotions; and why the sense of smell is highly individualised and varies from person to person.
How is this linked to the attraction towards our partner’s scent?
Our brains are experts at associating smells with emotions and experiences. Each individual possesses a unique combination of genetic markers that contribute to their natural scent. This personalised fragrance becomes intertwined with memories and emotions, creating a distinct olfactory identity.
Over time, as a relationship develops and positive experiences are shared, the brain may start to associate the partner’s scents with these positive emotions, Dr Ajinkya explained.
“Humans can adapt to and become more accepting through repeated exposure to a person/event. That which might initially be perceived as unfamiliar becomes more pleasant over time. This process of adaptation can also contribute to growing fondness of a partner’s scent,” Dr Ajinkya elaborated.
What determines which smell will attract us?
In the dance of romance, words are not the sole communicators. The attraction to certain smells can be due to a combination of pheromones, genetic compatibility, and positive associations with the partner.
Consider the example of attraction to the smell of a partner’s sweat. While this might seem counterintuitive, research has shown that individuals are attracted to a partner’s natural body odour during times of intimacy.
Cultural and personal factors also play a significant role in shaping preferences. “If a particular smell is associated with positive memories, it becomes attractive. Someone who grew up in a household where a specific type of cuisine was regularly prepared may find the associated smells comforting,” Dr Ajinkya explained.
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FAQs
At the heart of our fascination with our partner's scent lies the science of pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signals emitted by the body that play a role in attraction and communication between individuals.
What does it mean if you like the way your partner smells? ›
According to a 2021 study published in the medical journal Brain Sciences, you might be more attracted to one person's odor and pheromones over another's because that person's DNA makeup is different from yours in a way that's optimal for mating.
Is it weird to like how your partner smells? ›
62% claimed they pick a partner based on smell over physical appearance. A further 58% said they would go as far as breaking up with someone if they didn't like the way they smell. Tait said: “Research suggests that pheromones play a significant role in modulating human behaviour, including sexual attraction.
What is the science behind liking your partner's smell? ›
Wedekind found that women often preferred the body odor of men who were genetically dissimilar to themselves. This preference, detected via olfaction, suggests a natural mechanism for avoiding potential partners with too similar a genetic makeup and, thereby, reducing the risk of unfavorable genetic combinations.
What does it mean if someone likes the way you smell? ›
When you're attracted to someone, you're more likely to be drawn to how they smell. Our olfactory senses are our most primal senses — alluring and captivating. Often known as the love hormone, we release pheromones (oxytocin), when we're attracted to someone, causing one to be drawn to someone's smell.
Why am I addicted to the way my partner smells? ›
That doesn't mean your brain chemistry doesn't have anything to do with why smelling someone you love is such an intoxicating experience. “When we recognize the smell of a loved one, this can release oxytocin, which is a hormone and a neurotransmitter that is involved in childbirth and breastfeeding,” Dr.
What do female pheromones smell like? ›
What do your pheromones smell like? Whether we can even smell pheromones is a matter of debate in the scientific world. And if we can detect these chemicals, what they smell like depends on who is smelling them. In studies of pheromones, people described the scent as “musky,” like sweat or worn clothes.
Why am I turned on by my partner's smell? ›
Osmology, or the scientific study of smells, has also determined that men and women are attracted to each other via selective chemical messengers: pheromones. These arousal-stimulating chemicals signal sexual desire, sexual readiness, hormone levels, fertility, and the deepest emotions.
What is the natural scent of a woman called? ›
Pheromones in humans may be present in bodily secretions such as urine, sem*n or vagin*l secretions, breast milk and potentially also saliva and breath, yet most attention thus far has been directed toward axillary sweat.
What does it mean when you smell your partner's scent when they aren't there? ›
Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It also can be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medicines and Parkinson's disease. Phantosmia also can result from a COVID-19 infection.
In addition, a person's natural scent carries chemicals such as pheromones that are important elements in the biology of attraction.
Can men smell when a woman is turned on? ›
University of Kent research suggests that men can distinguish between the scents of sexually aroused and non-aroused women. The detection of sexual arousal through smell may function as an additional channel in the communication of sexual interest and provide further verification of human sexual interest.
What is it called when you like someone's smell? ›
Olfactophilia or osmolagnia is a paraphilia for, or sexual arousal by, smells and odors emanating from the body, especially the sexual areas. Sigmund Freud used the term osphresiolagnia in reference to pleasure caused by odors.
Why does my partner like to smell me? ›
It could mean a few different things. It could be a sign of affection, as smelling someone can be a way of expressing love and closeness. It could also be a sign of appreciation and admiration for your scent. Or, it could simply be that your boyfriend enjoys the way you smell!
Can you be attracted to someone's pheromones? ›
Experts disagree on whether pheromones exist in humans and, if they do, whether they actually influence behavior. Yet, some small studies suggest that the smells of certain chemicals can stimulate sexual responses in both men and women. There are hundreds of potential pheromones in humans.
Can a man smell a woman's pheromones? ›
University of Kent research suggests that men can distinguish between the scents of sexually aroused and non-aroused women. The detection of sexual arousal through smell may function as an additional channel in the communication of sexual interest and provide further verification of human sexual interest.
At the heart of our fascination with our partner's scent lies the science of pheromones. (Source: Freepik)
Thus the brain interprets smell based on previous experiences. (Repesentational: File/Google DeepMind via Pexels)