mammal at its mother’s mammary organ, regulation of hormones as-
sociated with mating, and aspects of attraction or aggression between
members of the same species.
Many vertebrate animals—including various reptiles, amphibians,
and mammals—have been demonstrated to have a distinct olfactory
sensory structure and neural pathway, called the vomeronasal
system, that responds somewhat selectively to pheromone molecules.
However, it also appears to be the case that some pheromones are de-
tected by receptors in the main olfactory pathway. The existence and
functionality of the vomeronasal system in humans and other pri-
mates are debated, with many researchers arguing that a functional
human system is not present.
Although there is presently no agreement regarding pheromone-
type effects in humans, my money is on there being chemicals that
are sensed by the human olfactory system and that trigger significant
behavioral responses, including social attraction and repulsion. More-
over, these sensory experiences may to a large extent be out of our
awareness.
Smell is primal. We haven’t forgotten it. And it hasn’t forgotten us.
Airborne molecules,
receptors, signals, brain, mind—
the world is perfume.