In love, it is often said that opposites attract which is hardly ever the case – or is it?
People usually practice the general principles established by what is commonly referred to as “The Law of Attraction”. The Universal Law of Attraction states: We attract whatever we choose to give our attention to-whether wanted or unwanted. The question is how we pyschologically make this decision.
What causes us to develop physical attractions?
To find the answer to this mystery, one has to look no further than the tip and their nose because that wonderful creation is a large part of the answer to our mystery – we sniff!
At some point we have heard at least once the mention of the word pheromone. Pheromones are chemical triggers that elicit natural behavioral response in another member of the same species.
Pheromones, which have been known to influence sexual activity, aggression, and territory marking, have been found in many animals, including amoebas, fish, hamsters, and monkeys.
If you’re looking for the man or woman of your dreams, the scent of your body’s pheromones may be unsuspectingly playing a large and very clever role in mate attraction.
In most animals, the relationship between pheromones and mating is straightforward.
On the other hand, human pheromones are extremely individualized, and not always noticeable.
How our body odors are perceived as pleasant and sexy to another person is a highly selective process. We usually smell best to a person whose genetically based immunity to disease differs most from our own. This could benefit you in the long run, making for stronger, healthier children. So, opposites DO attract!
So, where do these chemicals come from? The most likely answer is our apocrine glands. The three types of glands that are present in humans are sebaceous glands, sweat glands and apocrine glands. Sebaceous glands exist around the body’s openings and secrete substances that kill potentially dangerous microorganisms. Sweat glands help regulate our body temperature and release water and salt. Apocrine glands in humans do not regulate body temperature as they do in other animals. They are found in large concentrations on the face, chest and wherever body hair exists.
Apocrine glands become functional after puberty which is when we would most likely be searching for a mate.
A perfect example of when our pheromones are at their best might be better understood with this definition of the term in question – the most basic definition for pheromone is any volatile substance that elicits a physiological or endocrine-based change in the receiving organism.
This is a perfect example of the feelings we get once we realize we are attracted to someone and the object of our affection is exhibiting an interest as well. These changes may include but are not limited to:
1. Increased heart rate
2. Nervousness or excitement
3. Flushing
Over the years, there has been continued debate as to whether love at first sight is a true phenomenon. If one is to assume our natural scent has it’s greatest effect on the person that’s our ideal “genetic” match, love at first sight or definitely attraction (at a more heightened level) is quite possible.
A basic example of this theory at work would likely occur in the following way.
A new male employee is hired at your office. He’s very pleasant and you find it very easy to work with him. As time goes on, a friendship blossoms. Initially things are playful and light-hearted. And then it happens – BOOM! Out of nowhere your feelings begin to change and more intimate expressions of your fondness for one another may be displayed – kissing, hugging, stroking each others hair, etc. A relationship is developing and neither of you are sure when it happened.
Was this just chance that you met someone you seemed immediately attracted to? Or were chemical triggers being exchanged unknowingly by the both of you?
The study of human pheromones is still ongoing and studies on the subject are sometimes viewed as speculative.
Even if pheromones are concretely proven to direct who we are attracted to, it still only serves as a first step in building a relationship. Appearance and personality have and will always play a major role in our ability to attract a partner.
What has your nose been telling you?
