Pheromone response linked to sexual orientation

posted: 05/09/2006 12:00 am

We’ve long known that pheromones (hormone-like chemicals secreted in our sweat) play a big part in sexual attraction. A recent study, however, suggests that pheromones may play a role in sexual orientation, as well.

In the study, participants were asked to smell a variety of different odors, some of which contained male-secreted pheromones and some of which contained female-secreted pheromones. Straight men and lesbians had the greatest response to the female-secreted pheromones, while gay men and straight women had the greatest response to the male-secreted pheromones. This is the first study that shows the results of pheromones on various brain circuits.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1770505,00.html?gusrc=rss

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