How exactly do pheremones work?

Question

Do all people have them? Or is it only some? What does a 'good' smell indicate to a member of the opposite sex?

Answer 1

Just briefly, pheromones are hormones that are not secreted into the blood stream, but into the environment. There they are transported by air or water (depending on the species of animal and its environment) to other conspecifics (members of the same species). Most of the time, pheromones signal the other individual about the reproductive state of the individual that released the pheromone. In insects, pheromones are released into the air and can be transported by wind over long distances to other individuals. In sharks, female release pheromones to attract the males. I think you get the picture concerning the general purpose.

Now, like all hormones, pheromones are molecules that bind to specific receptors. Hormones are biochemical messengers that convey important signals to cells in the body. In case of pheromones, the receiving cells are usually in specific organs, like, as someone wrote, the voremonasal organ in certain mammals. In the insect example it's usually the antennae. I think you get the picture. Here now, cells have specialized proteins on their surfaces to which the pheromone molecule can bind. These are the receptors. The binding of a ligand, that's what biochemists call the hormone that binds the receptor, produces a big protein complex, and that alters the conformation of the receptor. in other words, the overall shape of the receptor changes due to it binding the ligand. Think of it as if I place something into your open hand. For you to hold it, you close your hand. This conformational change initiates a biochemical cascade that evetually brings about the production of something or other in the cell. Now, pheromones cause an excitation of cells in the receptor organs (voremonasal organ, antannae, etc.) and eventually, certain neurons in the particular nuclei in the brain are activated. This will cause the receiving animal to respond behaviorally in the right way. For our example of the insect, a male would travel now following the trace of the pheromone until he finds the female that released it and is ready to mate.

Just a final word, there are numerous organs producing pheromones. It simply depends on the animal species you are investigating.

i hope this helps.

Answer 2

In mammals and reptiles, pheromones may be detected by the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson's organ, which lies between the nose and mouth, although some are detected by regular olfactory membranes.

Pheromones in humans are postulated to be produced by the apocrine glands. The apocrine glands become functional after reaching puberty which, some believe, could contribute to people developing a sexual attraction for others at that time. Pheromone detection has also been proposed to be the reason why a person can sense "chemistry", or feel an instant attraction or dislike when first meeting someone.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheromones

Answer 3

Pheromones exude an odor that tends to "turn people on"
Yes...everyone has them, possibly more than others, or just stronger.
You can also purchase certain items that include pheremones at just about any store.

Answer 4

Everyone has pheromones. Pheromones work by triggering a chemical in your brain to be released. They reach the brain via the nose but you do not actually smell them. They then cause a chemical reaction in your brain, which makes you feel attracted to the person carrying that pheromone. Pheromones products generally use pheromones excreted by insects.

Answer 5

pheremones work on your brain, through your nose. You dont realize you are smelling them but your brain realizes it, it usually indicates ones receptiveness to sexual advances. but in a group of all women, phremones will begin to regulate menstrual periods until all the women living in a dorm together are on the same or very close to the same menstrual cycle.

Answer 6

Like your blood