Subscribe now

Editorial: Throw away your deodorants

3 December 2008

SO YOU’VE bathed, shaved and sprayed. You might have dabbed on some cologne or splashed your favourite scent too. But what if you’ve just smothered a key line of communication?

Research into human pheromones has a chequered history, but there is a growing body of evidence that we communicate subtle messages through our sweat (see “Smell signals”). So could it be time to ditch the deodorant and go au naturel?

Well, regardless of what you might read on the internet, wafting your musky secretions around is unlikely to attract hordes of the opposite sex or send them stampeding in…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop