Prof.Dr.
K.Grammer

Human phermones and their role for communication

Pheromones are highly volatile substances which have an effect either behavioral or hormonal on an individual who perceives them. There are two different types. One type is called "signalling" pheromones i.e. substances which result in a direct observable change of behavior. The other type of pheromones is called "primer pheromone". This type has a long term effect on the receiver, presumably by changing his/her hormonal state. It is specific for pheromones, in comparison to other signals, that they act directly on the brain and that it is not possible to withdraw from their perception. Although there is considerable controversy about the existence of these effects in humans, we started research in this direction several years ago, because pheromones could have direct effects in interactions between strangers in big cities. These effects reach extend from the area of mate-selection to possible mass-phenomena like panic reactions.

Links on this server

• Human Body Odour, Symmetry, and Attractiveness
• Female Pheromones and Male Physiology
• Male pheromones and male cooperation
• Mammalian olfactory-genetic-neuronal-hormonal-behavioral reciprocity and human sexuality
• Human Pheromones: Integrating Neuroendocrinology and Ethology
• Homosexual Orientation in Males: Evolutionary and Ethological Aspects
  

Links to pheromone pages

• Jim Kohl´s "Scent of Eros"

Applications and solutions

• Pheromone design and consulting (e.g. sales promotion)
• Substance testing
• Medical applications (e.g. induction of physiological hormone levels)
• For more information contact karl.grammer@univie.ac.at