A pheromone (from Ancient Greek φέρω (phérō) 'to bear' and hormone) is a chemical that is secreted or excreted by an organism, which triggers a social response in members of the same species. [1] pheromone, any endogenous chemical secreted in minute amounts by an organism in order to elicit a particular reaction from another organism of the same species. Pheromones are widespread among insects and vertebrates; they are also found in crustaceans but are unknown among birds.

Understanding the Context

Officially named in 1959, pheromones are chemical substances that are secreted outside of the body in fluids like urine and sweat. Essentially, pheromones are a hidden form of communication. They... Pheromones (Sex Life): The concept of a human pheromone, or sexual scent of attraction, has been debated and researched for years.

Key Insights

Learn more about these chemical messengers. What are pheromones and do humans have them? A pheromone is a chemical that an animal produces which changes the behavior of another animal of the same species. Evidence for the existence of... It's unclear if pheromones exist in humans as evidence is mixed and not conclusive.

Final Thoughts

Some studies suggest that certain steroids in sweat might act like pheromones in humans. Pheromones are bodily chemicals that communicate signals between members of the same animal species. The meaning of PHEROMONE is a chemical substance that is usually produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses. Pheromones are especially common among social insects, but they are used by many species to attract the opposite sex, to sound alarms, to mark food trails, and to elicit other, more complex behaviors. Even humans are thought to respond to certain pheromones called axillary steroids.