June 2012

What You Didn’t Know About Pheromones

Published on June 26, 2012

5.9K views

It seems we are constantly searching for companionship, but, now, people are choosing to rely on their animal instincts, basing partner selection on pheromones, as opposed to the comprehensive algorithm used by dating sites. This new method of socializing is called a pheromone party.

What’s a Pheromone Party?

Pheromone parties are based on smell, and while not entirely science-based, research has shown that humans do respond to pheromones. In fact, we have a specialized region in the olfactory system, the vomeronasal organ (VNO), that is responsible for pheromone detection.

The VNO, which is located on your nasal septum, may play a factor in how individuals select potential partners. In one study, women responded more favorably to men when the women were exposed to male pheromones.

Pheromones are mainly produced in the pubic and armpit region, but since the idea of sniffing undies seems to cross the line, pheromone parties opt for sniffing T-shirts instead. Pheromone party-goers bring T shirts they’ve slept in, stick them in a bag that is passed around at the party, in hopes that someone will find their scent pleasing.

Shortcomings of Relying on Pheromones

There are potential flaws with this pheromone selection party, which is why it shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

You May Not Be Chosen Based on Your Pheromones

A T shirt sniffer may be drawn to the smell of the perfume worn by the owner of the T shirt, as opposed to actually being stimulated by their pheromones.

The person who never showered, on the other hand, may not be chosen at all, regardless of how tasty their pheromones really are.

Your Menstrual Cycle Impacts Your Pheromones

Studies show that during the first half of the menstrual cycle, the amount of pheromones produced increases, whereas pheromone production decreases in the second half of the menstrual cycle.

The best time to go to a pheromone party is when you’re producing pheromones. You can also sleep with the T shirt during peak pheromone production and freeze the shirt until the party starts.

Pheromones May Impact your Menstrual Cycle

The possibility that pheromones affected behavior was first considered because women’s periods would synchronize. Turns out that rats produce one pheromone that shortens the menstrual cycle, and another that lengthens the menstrual cycle, until the two females cycle together.

Planning on going to a pheromone party with your friend? Spend a significant amount of time together prior to the party to ensure synched pheromone production.

Oral Contraceptives May Also Change Pheromone Production

One study has shown that women who take contraceptives produced a lower overall content of pheromones. Way to be safe, ladies. Unfortunately, you can’t produce as much of the alluring chemical, so you may want to stick to online dating.

Pheromones For Fun

The thing is, it’s just a party. Judith Prays started this fad when she recalled how drawn she was to the scent of a former boyfriend. She doesn’t really imagine it’s a place to meet “the one,” but it may be a place to strike up a conversation and meet some new people, and laugh at the person who put their nose in your smelly shirt.

I’m Sexy and I Know It, Sometimes – Sexual Attraction Chemistry

by Chrisalbeth Guillermo, MPH, OMS-II

Published on June 26, 2012

7.1K views

sexual attraction and oral contraceptives

Have you, or possibly your partner, ever wondered if there really was a link between your menstrual cycle and sexual attraction? Perhaps you have noticed that during certain times of the month something is not quite right and whatever it is, it seems to affect your ability to concentrate. Scientists have as well.

Evolution, the Menstrual Cycle, and Sexual Attraction

Since the dawn of humankind, women have been programmed to think and act in such a way that helps us find the perfect mate with the best genes to make the best babies; survival of the fittest. However, the conditions and interactions are not as clear-cut today as they were during caveman times. Women are educated and have careers. We work hard and we play harder. In other words, we might be too busy to think of finding a man and having children, at least on a conscious level.

Researchers have found that reproductive hormones are still at play when it comes to how we feel about certain situations, view the world, and interact with others. During the week before ovulation, women have improved memory, perhaps to signify the right time to find “The One,” but also to help you make better decisions and navigate your environment. Near ovulation, women may have a heightened sense of smell, possibly to sniff out potential toxins. Additionally, several studies have shown that women who are in the fertile window tend to dress and feel more attractive as compared to other times in their cycles. A major drawback to this process is that some women may be highly sensitive to to the cyclic rise and fall of their hormones and experience negative mood symptoms, increased food cravings, and susceptibility to stress, particularly during the premenstrual phase.

Oral Contraceptives and Sexual Attraction

What about the pill? Oral contraceptives (OCs) contain synthetic hormones that may also affect women’s social behavior and psychological functioning. In my own research, I have found that women who are on the pill show greater attraction toward current and potential mates across all phases of the cycle. Naturally, this could be due to the simple fact that women using OCs expect to have more sex than those who are not. However, we also found that an increase in androgens, a side effect of the pill, was significantly related to this increase in attraction.

Because of our genetic make-up, women must go through regular shifts in their cognitive abilities, moods, and behavior. In other words, we think, feel, and react differently based on what our hormones are doing. This may translate to women’s approach to relationships, sexual arousal, and motivation to seek out mates. But also, it affects how we work, talk to friends, and deal with our problems.

Does this mean women should plan their activities accordingly? That may be a tad extreme, but maybe it will help both men and women understand why sometimes we are just not in the mood.

Of Love and Passion: It’s All in Your Head

by Chandler Marrs, PhD

Published on June 21, 2012

4.5K views

Love is a Habit

Reviewing imaging studies on love and sex, researchers from Concordia University have begun to delineate the neural pathways associated with these two activities. Though love and sex show similar neural activation patterns there are some distinctions. Both sexual desire and love activate the insula and the striatum, but as sexual desire progresses to love there is more activation within the specific regions of the striatum associated with habit and drug addiction. Says Professor Pfaus, the lead author of the study “Love is actually a habit that is formed from sexual desire as desire is rewarded. It works the same way in the brain as when people become addicted to drugs.”

Falling in Love Can be Addictive

Falling in love is quick, only a fifth of a second per a recent meta- analysis and hard-wired in the brain to be pleasurable and addictive, finds Professor Stephanie Ortigue from Syracuse University, author of a recent meta-analysis of fMRI data and love. The meta-analysis showed that falling in love activates 12 regions of the brain and elicits a number of neurochemical reactions designed to ensure pleasure and habit including dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline and vasopression.

Heartbreak is Painful – Literally

When love ends, it causes real pain. Researchers from the University of Michigan compared fMRIs of participants in physical pain versus those suffering from emotional pain and found that as far as the brain was concerned, the two types of pain were no different – 88% of the time.

Just like everything else, habits change brain chemistry. Changing that brain chemistry back or re-adjusting to a new status quo after a break up, from the brain and body’s perspective, is similar to drug withdrawal.

Here is a great Ted Talk by anthropologist Helen Fisher on the gender differences and the evolution of human emotions.

Possible Relief for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy

by Lisbeth Prifogle, MFA

Published on June 20, 2012

4.1K views

In Elena Perez’s article on MRIs conducted while women masturbate, she explained that the peptide hormone that increases pain thresholds and suppresses fear, oxytocin, is released in women during sex and orgasms.

A small study using topical oxytocin gel on women suffering from postmenopausal vaginal atrophy (symptoms of vaginal atrophy include vaginal dryness, pain, itching, discomfort and bleeding during intercourse) had remarkably positive results. Larger studies are in progress to establish the possibility of using oxytocin as a clinical treatment for vaginal atrophy.

For more information on this study, click here.

For Elena’s article on mapping out the female orgasm, click here.

Dad and the Secret Land of Dr. Pepper

by Lisbeth Prifogle, MFA

Published on June 15, 2012

3.7K views

“Let’s frighten the dragons.” I said to Pooh.
“That’s right,” said Pooh to Me.
“I’m not afraid,” I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted,
“Shoo! Silly old dragons!” and off they flew.
“I wasn’t afraid,” said Pooh, said he,
“I’m never afraid with you.”
-A.A. Milne

“Hey Libby.” Dad is outside the screen door of our camper. His face is broken up by little silver squares. Mom holds my baby brother Kyle in her arms on the pull out couch. Luke and Megan are under the covers, cuddled up on top of her.

“Libby, come here,” his voice is hushed, but urgent; gentle, but demanding.

Dad is never interested in watching the old, taped-off-TV movies Mom plays every night on our camping trips. I’m not either, and just try to stay awake as long as Megan and Luke. I always drift off and then Dad has to carry me to my bottom bunk of the bunk bed.

I slide off the couch, pretending that I’m a snake and no longer have any bones. I sliver out to Dad trying not to draw Megan or Luke’s attention. He is getting on his bike and motions for me to do the same.

“Come on Libby, let’s go for a ride,” he whispers through the dewy, dark air.

I get on my pink and purple Huffy bike. There are neon plastic reflectors on the spokes that make a clicking sound when the wheels spin – not a good getaway vehicle. I race off to catch Dad and hope that my absence remains unnoticed by my siblings.

“Where are we going?” I ask in between breaths as I finally get to coast along side.

“Shhh, this is going to be our secret.”

A whole world opens up with that word, secret.

“Ok,” I push out the syllables through the gaps between my teeth. I let him lead to show me to whatever secret place he’s taking me to. I hope it will have Aslan or a luck-dragon, or some kind of labyrinth in it.

We pull our bikes up to the shower house on the other end of the campground and stop. Dad digs through his pocket and pulls out two quarters. He hands one to me and I drop it in. He pushes the Dr. Pepper button and the magical world of sugar, caffeine and carbonation clanks down and drops into the slot at my scraped knees. Mom never buys Dr. Pepper, only Coke, and that is only on camping trips when we are allowed 1 soda per day. We take turns sipping from the aluminum can. I push my sun-bleached, white-blonde hair behind my ears and guzzle the sweet syrup. Dad doesn’t say much, and neither do I. He points out the Big and Little Dipper. I act like I can see what he sees, even though I only see a gazillion tiny stars.

“We should probably get back to camp. Mom might wonder where we ran off to.”

I shake my head in agreement.

“Don’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret. If you tell Megan and Luke they’ll want to come and I can’t afford that many pops.”

“Ok, Daddy,” I try to smile, but my cheeks hurt from sunburn.

We fly back from our world; a parallel world full of eternal happiness and endless Dr. Peppers. As we ride, mosquitoes buzz and lightening bugs float in the sky like blinking Christmas lights.

The next night, after a day of hiking, lake swimming, bike riding, and fossil hunting, Mom sits down to nurse Kyle and watch a movie with Megan and Luke.

“Psst, Libby,” Dad whispers from outside. His face is broken into a thousand little squares. “Come out here for a second, I want to show you something,” he says smiling. I slither off the couch and jump out of the camper. This time I don’t have to sneak out because I know Dad won’t let Megan or Luke tag along. My bare feet feet tingle on cold, damp grass as I pull up my Strawberry Shortcake nightgown to mount my bike and follow Dad to the secret land of Dr. Pepper.

Happy Father’s Day!
Thanks for showing me the secret world of imagination,Dad.
I love you!

What’s Up With All the Testosterone Ads?

by Chandler Marrs, PhD

Published on June 14, 2012

8K views

Once upon a time, our understanding of the role that testosterone played in men’s (and women’s health) was restricted almost entirely to sexual differentiation, male sexual behavior, big muscles and aggression. Certainly, everyone is aware of the steroid doping scandals that have plagued professional and amateur sports for the last two decades. To the general public and to much of the medical profession, testosterone was dangerous (and in large amounts, it certainly can be). But now, the tides are changing and testosterone gels are being marketed aggressively to the average Joe who just wants to reclaim his masculinity. Combine the marketing for testosterone with Viagra and Cialis ads, and it becomes clear that male sexual functioning is all the rage these days. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see an ad for one of the many testosterone replacement products.

Why is testosterone so popular?

It turns out that testosterone, like other steroid hormones, perform a complex set of functions related to health; ranging from cardiovascular and metabolic regulation, to cerebrovascular and neurotransmitter modulation. Despite the marketing (more testosterone equals better sex drive and a better physique), sex hormones are not just about sex or big muscles.

It turns out that low testosterone is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, increased insulin resistance and depressed mood. In vets, low testosterone is associated with an increased risk of PTSD, metabolic syndrome and mortality from any cause. While researchers and functional medical specialists have understood the importance of steroid hormones for years (all the way back to Hans Selye), this knowledge has been slow to transfer into mainstream clinical health; that is, until it could be commercialized into libido enhancer.

When testosterone concentrations wane as men age, the risk for many of the diseases of aging increase (cardiovascular disease, stroke, etc). Much like the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescribed for female menopause, pharmaceutical companies are hoping that testosterone replacement eases the symptoms of andropause (low libido, depression, weight gain) and reduces the risk for cardiovascular and other disease processes. Though it is too early to tell if testosterone replacement will follow the same over-marketing that HRT did. (HRT was first marketed to enhance libido and general health, then gradually became the panacea for all diseases of aging. The over-reach was not supported by science and subsequently was followed by billions in lawsuits. A gradual retraction of uses and re-positioning as simply a medication to be taken as briefly as possible to help with hot flashes is now marketed). What is clear, is that the role of hormones in health is becoming more mainstream. For that, we thank the gods of waning male virility.

For more on the role of testosterone in health:

Testosterone: What it Does and Doesn’t Do

Andropause

Andropause: A British Perspective

Male Menopause

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The Sun: Life Giving God or Cancerous Threat?

by Lisbeth Prifogle, MFA

Published on June 6, 2012

5.5K views

“Our sun is dying. Mankind faces extinction. Seven years ago the Icarus project sent a mission to restart the sun but that mission was lost before it reached the star. Sixteen months ago, I, Robert Capa, and a crew of seven left earth frozen in a solar winter. Our payload a stellar bomb with a mass equivalent to Manhattan Island. Our purpose to create a star within a star.”

So begins the 2007, sci-fi movie Sunshine. If I told you that I actually spend time worrying about the plot of this movie and the fact that our sun will someday die, you would probably suggest I lay off the post-apocalyptic themed books and movies for awhile; but the fact remains – if the sun ceases to exist, so will life on earth. Why then has the sun been so demonized in the last few decades? I live in ‘America’s Finest City’ with it’s perfectly sunny, 70 degree weather year round; yet when I walk or do anything outside I see people covered in clothing, carrying an umbrella, slathering on sunscreen, and doing everything to avoid direct contact with our very life source.

Throughout history, every ancient culture has had various sun deities that welded the power to create and destroy. Why have we been conditioned to only fear the sun?
Keep Reading

Vitamin D3 and Sunscreen

by Susan Rex Ryan

Published on June 4, 2012

4.4K views

Summer swiftly approaches, evoking idyllic thoughts of sun, surf, and fun. When packing for your getaway, we usually hear, “Don’t forget the sunscreen.” Over the past couple decades the medical community has emphasized the imperative use of sunscreen to prevent us from developing skin cancer. The message clearly resonates with the general population. Consumers embrace the sunscreen market, buying products that tout exponentially increasing “sun protection factor”, or SPF, values. Annual sales of sun protection products soar over the multi-billion-dollar mark. Yet incidences of skin cancer are on the rise.

Are we doing more “harm than good” to our health by using sunscreen? Ironically, heeding the “shun the sun” mantra has contributed to the global epidemic of vitamin D₃deficiency. Sunlight, ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, provides the most natural source of vitamin D₃, a nutrient essential to our well-being: enhancing bone health and protecting against a wide variety of medical conditions including some types of cancer. When UVB light strikes the surface of our unprotected skin, initiation of vitamin D₃ production occurs rapidly. Vitamin D experts believe direct sunlight exposure of about 20 minutes can make a healthy daily dose of 10,000 IU of vitamin D₃. Application of sunscreen reduces—or eliminates—vitamin D₃ production, denying our body of a long list of health benefits.

A Danish study published in the British Journal of Dermatology examined the association between the thickness of sunscreen layers and vitamin D₃ production after UVB exposure. The researchers measured vitamin D₃ serum levels in 37 healthy, fair-skinned individuals before and after UVB exposure following an application of SPF 8 sunscreen. Thinner layers of sunscreen correlated directly to higher vitamin D₃ serum levels after UVB exposure. Conversely, the thickest application of sunscreen (2 mg/cm2)—recommended by the World Health Organization—negated vitamin D₃ production. The results of the randomized clinical trial concluded that sunscreen use may lead to vitamin D₃ deficiency.

Nature intends for us to enjoy the health benefits of some sun exposure, but sun safety is important because excess sunlight, UVA rays, can eventually lead to skin cancer. If we practice moderation by basking in the sun for about 20 minutes to make some vitamin D_3,* and then seek shade, additional clothing, or other sun protection, we should get adequate sun without the harmful side effects. Before slathering on that sunscreen, think about the product chemicals that will be absorbed by your body. Do you really need these potential toxins? Only you can make the call.

*People with sarcoidosis, specific granulomatous diseases, and rare cancers may experience hypersensitivity to sunlight exposure.

What’s a Pheromone Party?

Shortcomings of Relying on Pheromones

You May Not Be Chosen Based on Your Pheromones

Your Menstrual Cycle Impacts Your Pheromones

Pheromones May Impact your Menstrual Cycle

Oral Contraceptives May Also Change Pheromone Production

Pheromones For Fun

Related posts:

You might be interested in

Evolution, the Menstrual Cycle, and Sexual Attraction

Oral Contraceptives and Sexual Attraction

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Love is a Habit

Falling in Love Can be Addictive

Heartbreak is Painful – Literally

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Why is testosterone so popular?

For more on the role of testosterone in health:

We Need Your Help

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