So what exactly are pheromones?

Pheromones are airborne chemicals which are emitted by an organism to influence the behavior of other organisms of the same species. Generally, when the topic is human pheromones most people think of their function as a sexual attractant.

Researchers at the University of Colorado have found that pheromones are detected through the Vemeronasal Organ (VNO) in the nose. The VNO functions as the distinct sensory apparatus that detects pheromones. All people they examined had two small holes on both sides of the hard divider in the nose. The holes are found just inside the opening of the nose. A group of clear cells lies just behind these holes. These cells are similar in appearance to nerve cells . These scientists have concluded these cells are responsible for detecting human sex pheromones. The pheromones then transmit a signal to the hypothalamus in the brain (the brain’s center of emotions), sending a chemical message of sexual attraction.

Pheromones are believed to be detected on an instinctual, subconscious level. In other words, you don’t know that you’re receiving them, but you are.