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It's a pheromone! It's a floor wax!
Mar. 16th, 2003 03:35 amMale Perspiration Brightens Women's Moods
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania said they found male perspiration had a surprisingly beneficial effect on women's moods. It helps reduce stress, induces relaxation and even affects the menstrual cycle.
[...] In a study to be published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers collected samples from the underarms of men who refrained from using deodorant for four weeks. The extracts were then blended and applied to the upper lips of 18 women, aged 25 to 45.
The women rated their moods on a fixed scale for a period of six hours. The findings suggested something in the perspiration brightened their moods and helped them feel less tense. Blood analyzes also showed a rise in levels of the reproductive luteinizing hormone that typically surge before ovulation.
Wysocki, a study co-author, said the research could point to a "chemical communication" subtext between the sexes that enables men and women to coordinate their reproductive efforts subliminally.
There was no sign women were sexually aroused by male perspiration. In fact, the women never suspected they had men's sweat under their noses and believed they were helping to test alcohol, perfume or lemon floor wax.
"The study was done in quite a sterile environment. It's not strange that they were not thinking sexual thoughts," said Wysocki. "In a more sensual setting, exposure to these odors might facilitate the emergence of sexual mood or feelings."
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania said they found male perspiration had a surprisingly beneficial effect on women's moods. It helps reduce stress, induces relaxation and even affects the menstrual cycle.
[...] In a study to be published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers collected samples from the underarms of men who refrained from using deodorant for four weeks. The extracts were then blended and applied to the upper lips of 18 women, aged 25 to 45.
The women rated their moods on a fixed scale for a period of six hours. The findings suggested something in the perspiration brightened their moods and helped them feel less tense. Blood analyzes also showed a rise in levels of the reproductive luteinizing hormone that typically surge before ovulation.
Wysocki, a study co-author, said the research could point to a "chemical communication" subtext between the sexes that enables men and women to coordinate their reproductive efforts subliminally.
There was no sign women were sexually aroused by male perspiration. In fact, the women never suspected they had men's sweat under their noses and believed they were helping to test alcohol, perfume or lemon floor wax.
"The study was done in quite a sterile environment. It's not strange that they were not thinking sexual thoughts," said Wysocki. "In a more sensual setting, exposure to these odors might facilitate the emergence of sexual mood or feelings."