The role of scent in attraction?
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Scent plays a significant role in attraction, acting through mechanisms such as the detection of pheromones and body odor. According to , humans are responsive to pheromones, although there's still debate about their effects in humans compared to other animals. These chemical signals impact hormone levels and mate recognition, potentially influencing attraction and social bonds [1].
Additionally, mentions that personal scent can significantly affect attraction. He highlights instances where personal odor, independent of artificial fragrances, can be a major factor in mate selection. For some individuals, the natural body odor of another person can be either very attractive or a complete dealbreaker, emphasizing the importance of olfactory cues in human attraction [2].
Further, there's evidence that olfactory signals help in evaluating potential partners by conveying information about immune system compatibility. This suggests that scent plays a role not only in immediate physical attraction but also in assessing the long-term biological suitability of potential mates [3].
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