Social media trends come and go, often sparking debate over their validity and safety.
Some fads gain traction due to their supposed scientific backing, while others rely on anecdotal evidence and personal testimonials.
When it comes to viral trends, few topics generate as much curiosity and controversy as those related to attraction and human chemistry.
One recent phenomenon has garnered significant social media attention, with backers claiming it enhances desirability and skeptics dismissing it as pseudoscience.
Many online trends, especially those rooted in personal care or attraction, often cite the power of pheromones as a justification for their effectiveness.
Pheromones, chemical substances secreted by animals that influence the behavior of others of the same species, are well-documented in the animal kingdom.
For instance, male mice release compounds that can trigger aggression in other males or accelerate puberty in young females.
However, when it comes to human pheromones, scientific consensus remains elusive.
Dr. Tristram D. Wyatt of the University of Oxford stated: “We do not yet know if humans have pheromones.”
Extensive research dating back to the 1970s has attempted to identify human pheromones, with mixed and inconclusive results.
Some studies have explored the effects of chemicals like androstadienone and estratetraenol on human perception, but the methodologies and study findings have been widely questioned.
Dr. Wyatt has argued: “There is simply no peer-reviewed, bioassay evidence… that any of these four molecules is a human pheromone. Calling the molecules ‘putative human pheromones’ does not avoid the problem: they have never been shown to be human pheromones.”
Despite a lack of concrete scientific evidence, some social media influencers have popularized unconventional methods they claim can enhance attraction.
One such trend – ‘vabbing,’ or dabbing your v**inal secretions on as a perfume – has led to significant debate.
While advocates insist on its effectiveness, critics point out its potential health risks and lack of scientific grounding.
From a health perspective, this practice is not entirely risk-free.
Any contact between bodily fluids and different body areas or external surfaces carries some level of risk, including the potential for bacterial transfer or infection.
Medical professionals caution that even if the trend in question is not overtly harmful to most people, it is misleading to describe it as completely safe.
As with many viral trends, misinformation can spread quickly, and those engaging in these practices may not be fully aware of the potential risks involved.
Scientific skepticism surrounding this trend largely arises from the absence of solid evidence supporting the idea that human pheromones exist or play a significant role in attraction.
For instance, a 2017 study conducted at the University of Western Australia exposed participants to supposed pheromones while they evaluated the attractiveness and perceived faithfulness of others. The findings revealed no noticeable impact, further casting doubt on the influence of pheromones in human attraction.
Although some individuals report positive outcomes from using these methods, their perceived success may be attributed to other factors.
As Mike Hall noted in The Skeptic, various psychological influences could be responsible for these effects.
He highlights several possibilities, including the “file drawer effect,” where only successful outcomes are shared online, and “confirmation bias,” where individuals attribute their success to a method because they expect it to work.
He also suggests a “s**ual placebo effect,” where participants might feel more confident, leading them to perceive themselves as more attractive.
Beyond the scientific issues, the practice also raises concerns about etiquette and personal boundaries. Some may find the idea of unknowingly coming into contact with another person’s bodily secretions uncomfortable.
Public health issues and social norms further complicate the matter, especially in environments with scent-free policies designed for accessibility.
