Mood Boost in Men Tied to Women’s Body Odor

Animals can smell fertility; can humans? A new study in iScience found that women’s body odor during their ovulatory (O) phase may subtly boost men’s moods. Here’s what they discovered:

1. The Women

   Body odor samples were absorbed on silicone patches from the armpits of 21 healthy women, average age of early 20s, during their four menstrual phases. They were not in any state of stress when samples were taken, which could have had an effect on their body odor.

2. The Men

   Samples from each phase were presented to 21 healthy, heterosexual males, with an average age of mid-20s. They were asked to rate the odors based on intensity and pleasantness.

3. What Was the Consensus?

   Odors from the O-phase were rated the most pleasant and were described as “citrusy” and “fragrant” rather than “musty” or “vinegary.”

4. Dissecting the O-Phase Odor

   Analysis of the O-phase samples pinpointed three compounds that could account for the “citrusy” and “fragrant” smells: (E)-geranylacetone, tetradecanoic acid, and (Z)-9-hexadecenoic acid. Participants were exposed to a combination of these three compounds and reported that the pleasant smell intensified.

5. Effects on the Male Psyche

   Further experiments were performed to see how the men felt while smelling the compounded odor against the original O-phase odor. Their reports were positive, stating that they felt calm, comforted, and relaxed.

Bottom line: Men reported feeling calmer and more relaxed when exposed to the scent of women during ovulation, a response likely tied to natural chemical shifts in women’s body odor during this fertile window.