Scent, attraction and sexual preferences

[Aine Rayne]

So, I'm a big fan of the Discovery Channel, as well as smelling my boyfriend. It's always been interesting to notice how much I really love his scent and really dislike the scent of some other guys (including my bf's brothers, which would seem somewhat contradictory since they're related). Now, I've done some research into the research behind how scent affects humans and their attraction to each other, and there is some evidence and suggestion that scent implies a certain level of physical and genetic health as well as complimentary immune systems that would give promise to (though obviously not guarantee) healthy children.

Here's the catch though, clearly we don't run after every person we think smells great (as we all know there are a huge variety of factors, conscious and unconscious that affect such a choice) and not every person is in direct capability to bear children. By this I mean those who can't have children easily (or at all), and those in homosexual relationships. Of course such people are still capable of having children, but one has to wonder how this "smell system" helps such people seek suitable genetic mates. I suppose it makes sense since one never knows who will or won't be gay, lesbian, bi (but in a homosexual relationship), or infertile, but it is an interesting thought.

What do you think? How would scenting out potential mates be helpful for humans who aren't necessarily directly capable of progeny? Also, do you readily notice a person's scent and whether you like it or not? How does such an observation affect your initial thoughts, if at all? Would you avoid a relationship with someone because of smell? Are you a person who enjoys smelling your partner and/or friends?

[The Sexiest Wario]

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

[Aine Rayne]

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

[The Sexiest Wario]

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

That's pretty cool! I wish I had more to say, but I'm not too knowledgeable on the subject ;>.>

[CH1YO]

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

[AliKat1988]

CH1YO

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

Actually I think she might be talking about a different study-though I have not heard of a study being quite focused on the research she is discussing. There is some research that during ovulation and the phase directly before it women tend to like the scent of men who are not genetically similar to them much more than those similar to them. This preference was seen to a lesser extent in women following ovulation, but seemed to almost disappear if the woman was using hormonal birth control. I have not heard anything about research that tries to detect whether women can discriminate scent on anything more than genetic similarity. I would agree that from what I know of the topic saying the woman uses scent to detect genes that are a good match would be clearly induction and require further research.

[CH1YO]

AliKat1988

CH1YO

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

Actually I think she might be talking about a different study-though I have not heard of a study being quite focused on the research she is discussing. There is some research that during ovulation and the phase directly before it women tend to like the scent of men who are not genetically similar to them much more than those similar to them. This preference was seen to a lesser extent in women following ovulation, but seemed to almost disappear if the woman was using hormonal birth control. I have not heard anything about research that tries to detect whether women can discriminate scent on anything more than genetic similarity. I would agree that from what I know of the topic saying the woman uses scent to detect genes that are a good match would be clearly induction and require further research.

What is the measure of genetic similarity?

[AliKat1988]

CH1YO

AliKat1988

CH1YO

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

Actually I think she might be talking about a different study-though I have not heard of a study being quite focused on the research she is discussing. There is some research that during ovulation and the phase directly before it women tend to like the scent of men who are not genetically similar to them much more than those similar to them. This preference was seen to a lesser extent in women following ovulation, but seemed to almost disappear if the woman was using hormonal birth control. I have not heard anything about research that tries to detect whether women can discriminate scent on anything more than genetic similarity. I would agree that from what I know of the topic saying the woman uses scent to detect genes that are a good match would be clearly induction and require further research.

What is the measure of genetic similarity?

relatives vs non-relatives, usually

[CH1YO]

AliKat1988

CH1YO

AliKat1988

CH1YO

Aine Rayne

The Sexiest Wario

interesting.
well, without knowing the details on what scent determines fertility, I think people will worry more about looks.
If they stick to high heaven, yes. Otherwise, no.
I prefer smelling food cooking. biggrin

it's not a specific scent lol the study was about whether a woman (for this example) found the scent of certain men more attractive than others and if she did, why? The study shows that women have a a tendency to be more attracted to the scent of men who had immune systems that are different and complimentary to theirs and have genes that would be a good match with theirs. It also looked at how men are affected by certain scents that women as a whole give off, as well as to individual smells under similar circumstances as the study with women. And I like the smell of food baking XD

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

Actually I think she might be talking about a different study-though I have not heard of a study being quite focused on the research she is discussing. There is some research that during ovulation and the phase directly before it women tend to like the scent of men who are not genetically similar to them much more than those similar to them. This preference was seen to a lesser extent in women following ovulation, but seemed to almost disappear if the woman was using hormonal birth control. I have not heard anything about research that tries to detect whether women can discriminate scent on anything more than genetic similarity. I would agree that from what I know of the topic saying the woman uses scent to detect genes that are a good match would be clearly induction and require further research.

What is the measure of genetic similarity?

relatives vs non-relatives, usually

That's a fairly unsuitable approach then.

[AliKat1988]

CH1YO

AliKat1988

CH1YO

AliKat1988

CH1YO

The research I am aware of, which I think you are bastardising, found that a woman - whilst at the peak of fertility - can tell much more often than otherwise or by chance if a man exhibits facial symmetry or asymmetry. Some of the far reaching conclusions drawn from these researches are induced rather than deduced.

Actually I think she might be talking about a different study-though I have not heard of a study being quite focused on the research she is discussing. There is some research that during ovulation and the phase directly before it women tend to like the scent of men who are not genetically similar to them much more than those similar to them. This preference was seen to a lesser extent in women following ovulation, but seemed to almost disappear if the woman was using hormonal birth control. I have not heard anything about research that tries to detect whether women can discriminate scent on anything more than genetic similarity. I would agree that from what I know of the topic saying the woman uses scent to detect genes that are a good match would be clearly induction and require further research.

What is the measure of genetic similarity?

relatives vs non-relatives, usually

That's a fairly unsuitable approach then.

I can see why you think that, though I think it might be harder to study the extent and effect of genetic similarity in other ways. Comparing the genomes of women and men would be quite time consuming. It might be worth noting that typically when I have seen research regarding genetic similarity and attraction that the phrase seems like it is supposed to be code for inbreeding and not meant to look at genetic similarity and attraction, in general.

[CH1YO]

AliKat1988

CH1YO

That's a fairly unsuitable approach then.

I can see why you think that, though I think it might be harder to study the extent and effect of genetic similarity in other ways. Comparing the genomes of women and men would be quite time consuming. It might be worth noting that typically when I have seen research regarding genetic similarity and attraction that the phrase seems like it is supposed to be code for inbreeding and not meant to look at genetic similarity and attraction, in general.

That sounds dishonest.

[Centuries Before]

I readily notice people's scents, not everyone's however. My grandmother's headscarf still smells of her. My boyfriend's scent generally ends up on my jumper (minds out of the gutter people), and I find that it makes me feel comfortable, safe and protected. I tend not to notice this distinct smell when I'm with him, strangely enough.

[Ivy_sins]

I love this thread!

I really didn't like my SO when we first met, but after his constant following me and trying to be close to me, I must have gotten to know his scent because if I went shopping and that smell hit my nose, I stopped and looked around for him.
Some time after this started, he often sat next to me and would be nuzzling up to my neck/shoulders or have his face against my hair and would comment that I smelled good. I always took it as a compliment but never thought about the fact I don't wear lotions or perfume.

Ironically, he and I were laying in bed (years after meeting) and he said I smelled different. Not bad, just not like myself. ...Soon after I got a positive pregnancy test.

I stumbled upon this thread and this all came to mind; I really thought it was a cool thought!

[Hippie Ladybird]

Science of Sex Appeal

PBS sums it up

Is this what you saw? I remember watching this experiment as well.

[Suincunemon]

My boyfriend loves how I smell 3nodding he tells me that its just a good smell, he can't describe it or anything. I think that's interesting how everyone has a different smell. I'm so weird, I always notice the way people smell, I always have.