Scimex: Scientists have been wasting their time studying a molecule that was
originally proposed to be a 'sex pheromone' without any robust evidence,
according to the author of a review criticising the research so far. He
says that while we probably do have pheromones, scientists will need to
start again and study them properly using rigorous methods already
successful in pheromone research with animals.
Do humans emit irresistible 'sex pheromones'? Sadly, there's no robust
science behind the claims from commercial websites. The molecule,
androstadienone, was proposed without evidence in 1991 by a corporation
interested in patenting it. Lots of scientists' time has been lost
studying it. Humans may indeed have pheromones but to find them
scientists will need to start again properly, using rigorous methods
already proven successful in pheromone research on other mammals. The
first success might not be a sex pheromone but rather a nipple secretion
produced by all nursing mothers, which stimulates suckling by any baby.