The answer has to do with hormones—specifically, pheromones. “Pheromones are chemicals that animals and humans produce, which change and influence the behavior of another animal or human of the same species,” says Erica Spiegelman, wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author of The Rewired Life.
"When you're in a relationship, the smell of your partner becomes a way to identify with that person even if you're not always fully aware of it," explains Dalton. "Their scent becomes comforting and a source of positive feelings, so you come to enjoy it.
But androstenone, a derivative of testosterone that is a potent ingredient in male body odor, can smell like either - depending on your genes. While many people perceive a foul odor from androstenone, usually that of stale urine or strong sweat, others find the scent sweet and pleasant.
This direct connection between our sense of smell and emotions makes scent an incredibly powerful tool in human attraction. In fact, research has shown that men who use cologne are perceived as more attractive to women than those who don't.
One study even showed that the genetic coding for a certain protein that binds on to smells and helps them reach the smell receptors in the nose, does vary within populations, so some people may naturally have a better sense of smell than others.
Androstenol is the scent produced by fresh male sweat, and is attractive to females. Androstenone is produced by male sweat after exposure to oxygen – i.e. when less fresh – and is perceived as highly unpleasant by females (except during ovulation, when their responses change from 'negative' to 'neutral').
“Aromatic” which means “perfumed, fragrant, scented, sweet smelling, pungent, usually pleasing”.
Soothing scents such as lavender can relax women, leading to increased feelings of arousal. Vanilla is a crowd-pleasing scent that both men and women find attractive. Applying peppermint on your lips can help you seal the deal with your date.
Clean and invigorating, the tangy scent of citrus, such as lemon, lime, orange, lemongrass, and red grapefruit gives men that fresh-out-of-the-shower scent, a smell that many women find appealing.
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.
“Consistent with the growing evidence that emotional states can be communicated through scent, our findings provide evidence that humans can signal and process olfactory signals of sexual arousal,” the scientists wrote.
A study by researchers from Australia's Macquarie University and published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology asked 82 heterosexual women to assess the body odors of six male participants. They found that single men were rated as having stronger body odor than those in relationships.
One of these steroidal compounds, androstadienone, is present at much higher concentrations in male sweat and can be detected by women, albeit with wide variation in sensitivity.
Pheromone Attraction
These chemicals, pheromones, stimulate sexual arousal, desire, hormone levels, and even fertility when released. Pheromones are detected through smell and are produced through sweat, saliva, and urine.
The chemical androstenol contributes to the musky smell of body odor. Men produce much more of this chemical than women, and testosterone levels may be linked to production of these molecules, the researchers suggest.
Some people think their partner smells so good because of pheromones, which are chemicals that act like hormones outside of the body, influencing others' behavior, Dr. Navya Mysore, M.D., a provider at One Medical. In animals, pheromones signal that it's time to mate, or warn that an enemy is approaching.
Vanilla and amber scents, spicy shades or balsamic notes are all ingredients that invite seduction. Chypre perfumes intrigue as much as they fascinate with their almost erotic freshness. Bewitching white flowers such as tuberose or ylang-ylang embody the femme fatale, while gourmand notes make you salivate.
Turns out, female horniness may have a distinct scent, and men can apparently pick up on it. According to new research from the University of Kent, men can distinguish between the scent of a woman who's turned on and one who's not feeling it.
It sounds like you are talking about your pheromones! This is the little odour that your body gives off to attract a mate. Some people, especially the opposite sex, find this smell irresistible!
For some, it smells sweet, like flowers or vanilla; to others it is foul, like sweat or urine. And then there are those who can't smell it at all.
Men love it when women smell good. We notice it and think “WOW, she smells great.” It is attractive to us because not only does it smell good it shows us the woman looks after her hygiene. That is what we think.