Pheromones and Sexual Preference


Posted by Tulse on Apr 06, 2004 at 02:43
(4.242.15.248)

Re: Finally! Little Beau Sheep, for Peep! (Amaranth Rose)

Some info I copied a while back from a book on the subject:

"Sexual preferences also develop over a lifetime that includes exposure to human pheromones, which act on sexually dimorphic olfactory systems from birth. Since there is direct evidence that human pheromones modulate hormonal states, the likely role that human pheromones play in the development of sexuality is more difficult to deny." from Presentation Text: Kohl, J.V. (1998). Human pheromones and the neuroendocrinology of behavior. International Society for Human Ethology, Fourteenth Biennial Conference, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Aug 19-23.

Precis of: THE SCENT OF EROS: MYSTERIES OF ODOR IN HUMAN SEXUALITY by James Vaughn Kohl and Robert T. Francoeur. New York: Continuum Publishing Company, 1995. 14 chapters, 268 pages.

Chapters apparently relevant to sexual orientation:
"13. Twin studies are discussed, as is recent evidence of master genes that may allow chemical communication at the cellular level to play a primary role in behavioral development and in sexual orientation. Genetic conservation among species, specifically with regard to chemical communication, is addressed. Enzymes and chemical responses are linked with human behavior, as are genes and G protein-coupled receptors through an example of familial precocious puberty. Correlates between adrenal androgen metabolism, pheromone production, sexual dimorphism in the human hypothalamus, and human sexual orientation are offered.

"15. The importance of linking specialized research in diverse disciplines is made known, namely, how a "gay gene" might influence both human neuroanatomy and human sexuality. Dean Hamer has proposed the following: "The most simple hypothesis would be that the Xq28 makes a protein that is directly involved in the growth or death of neurons in the INAH-3. Alternatively, the gene could encode a protein that influences the regulation of this region by hormones." (Hamer & Copeland 1994).

"17. Chapter 10 reveals evidence of odor-driven hormonal effects on human behavior and on sexuality, again using cross-species comparisons that link information provided in earlier chapters. Examples supporting a link between pheromones and human sexuality are discussed. The "Law of Propinquity" appears to be invalidated by experience with pheromones that create more of a friendship or kinship bond, perhaps also creating an antibond effect on love. There is evidence that humans mate for genetic diversity on the basis of unconscious odor associations, and that odors may be involved in the Coolidge effect."

Bibliography cites Teresa Binstock: Interests/Expertise: genomic sex differences which are neither gonadal nor hormonal; possible immunological components of sexual- and gender- orientations.



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