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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>There’s an enormous amount of
anecdotal and research evidence that people do in fact enjoy dirty laundry—among
other sexual scents. Why raid panties in dorms? Why the attraction to oral sex?
Why put musk and ambergris in perfume? (Ever seen a Kodiak bear roll around in
the beached and rotting corpse of a dead whale?*) They just don’t like to
talk about it in public, and apparently, neither does Mr. Pinker. Women may be
more crucially sensitive to scent than men—after all, they have to make
more important genetic decisions, since their productive capacity is much more
limited. I can’t tell you how many times women have told me about
choosing their husbands because they smell good.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>When Somerset Maugham asked one of
H.G. Wells’s young female lovers what she found so attractive in the
short, reedy-voiced, spiky-haired fellow, she answered, “He smells like
honey.”</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>But of course, Wells also smelled like
money at that point in his career!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Greg</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>*Decaying blubber probably produces every
sterol known to the universe.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:windowtext'> paleopsych-bounces@paleopsych.org
[mailto:paleopsych-bounces@paleopsych.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>JV Kohl<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, May 17, 2005 8:08
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Alice Andrews<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> The new improved paleopsych
list<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Paleopsych] Olfaction
and behavior: was What's the survival valueof PTSD?</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><a
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/17/opinion/17pinker.html?th&emc=th">http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/17/opinion/17pinker.html?th&emc=th</a><br>
Steven Pinker writes:<br>
"...Swedish neuroscientists scanned people's brains as they smelled a testosterone
derivative found in men's sweat and an estrogen-like compound found in women's
urine. In heterosexual men, a part of the hypothalamus (the seat of physical
drives) responded to the female compound but not the male one; in heterosexual
women and homosexual men, it was the other way around."<br>
.........and, in the next paragraph................<br>
"The role of pheromones in our sexuality must be small at best. When
people want to be titillated or to check out a prospective partner, most seek
words or pictures, not dirty laundry."<br>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
I take issue with Pinker's simplistic link between the understated unconscious
affect of putative human pheromone on neuroanatomy (Savic et al's findings),
and his preemptive conclusion that pheromones play a minimal role in our
sexuality. His mistake is common. As indicated by his words/pictures (not dirty
laundry) association with sexual titillation, he addresses only conscious
choice, and ignores the unconscious affect of pheromones on hormone levels (and
behavior) throughout a lifetime of experience (as reviewed in Kohl et al 2001).
<a href="http://www.nel.edu/22_5/NEL220501R01_Review.htm">http://www.nel.edu/22_5/NEL220501R01_Review.htm</a><br>
<br>
Using similar faulty logic, Pinker could say that people are more interested in
words describing food or pictures of food, and the role of food's olfactory
appeal is "small at best." A logical person would not deny the
primary role of olfaction (i.e., chemical appeal) when it comes to food choice.
Nevertheless, when it comes to sexuality, Pinker, and most people do not think
logically about the olfactory/chemical appeal of a prospective partner.
Pinker's faulty logic would gives us the impression that words or pictures are
satisfactory substitutes when it comes to our sexual appetite.<br>
<br>
Alice Andrews wrote:<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Is the huge attraction to the scent something
essential, i.e. about 'matching' immune systems and personalities, about
desiring something rare/special, about desiring something
disordered, about desiring something that shows fitness, etc etc...? Or is
it just that I happened to have fallen in love with a man who happened to
have had these particular characteritics and smell, and now I'm locked into it
by association? Or a little of both? </span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The initial attraction is largely due to androgen
associated reproductive fitness as manifest both in his testosterone level and
in his masculine pheromone production. Immune system correlates are more
important depending on menstrual cycle phase. Once your sexual response cycle
has been conditioned to respond to the scent of a high testosterone male,
someone who is less chemically/reproductively fit is also less likely to
provide a sufficiently stimulating androgenic stimulus.<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Three years ago we corresponded about love and
pheromones and I got your permission to post/share your responses on
EP-yahoo. I'm pasting here because it's pretty interesting. And
exactly a year ago I wrote you an email re the above question re personality
and pheromones. I no longer have that email, but I do have <em><i><font
face="Times New Roman">your </font></i></em>response. Here's some of
it... I figure it's okay to share:</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
It is. But since I began this post with Pinker's comments relative to
homosexual orientation, and you mentioned the link to the immune system, I will
add that the sexual orientation - immune system correlates were first
detailed in Diamond, M., T. Binstock, J. V. Kohl (1996). "From
fertilization to adult sexual behavior: Nonhormonal influences on sexual
behavior." Hormones and Behavior 30(December): 333-353. <br>
<br>
The immune system and the olfactory system have functional similarities in
recognition of self/non-self. Accordingly, we will be learning more about the
immune system link to pheromone production/response and its link to sexual
orientation. For example: Homosexuals produce natural body odor (e.g.
pheromones) that is distinguished from heterosexual body odor, and homosexual
prefer the natural body odor of other homosexuals. This extends the
mammalian model for olfactory conditioning of visual appeal (which Pinker
ignores) via genotypic and phenotypic expression to homosexual preferences,
which lie along the same continuum as the preferences you now appear to be
"locked into" by association.<br>
<br>
Thanks for your interest,<br>
<br>
Jim Kohl<br>
<a href="http://www.pheromones.com">www.pheromones.com</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Alice Andrews wrote:</span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'
cite="mid00a101c4457a$ff3497e0$73f6ae44@CallaStudios" type=cite><pre wrap=""><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Is there any evidence to suggest that particular odors are signals</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>of particular personalities? Certainly high testosterone and these</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>pheromones and personality must be linked, no?</span></font></pre></blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Yes. Also, since stress increases cortisol, which
decreases testosterone, a confident man's<br>
pheromone production would be indicative of reproductive fitness. You know the
type; acts<br>
like he owns the joint, presents as an alpha male, attracts most of the women.</span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'
cite="mid00a101c4457a$ff3497e0$73f6ae44@CallaStudios" type=cite><pre wrap=""><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> The three men who share this</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>particular scent (musky, musty, almost like mildew) all have similar</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>personalities...Somewhat 'disordered' (a little boderline, narcissistic,</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>schizoid, etc.)</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I'd be curious to know if there is anything out there on any correlation. (I</span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>have not found yet.)</span></font></pre></blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Watch out for the schizoid. DHEA production varies and
so does the natural body odor of <br>
schizophrenics. In homosexual males it's the ratio of androsterone to
etiocholanolone, which<br>
are the primary metabolites of DHEA. Homosexuals prefer the odor of other
homosexuals (this<br>
will be published later this year by others).</span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'
cite="mid00a101c4457a$ff3497e0$73f6ae44@CallaStudios" type=cite><pre wrap=""><font
size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> -------------------------------------------------------</span></font></pre><pre
wrap=""><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>AA:</span></font></pre></blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>I was wondering if there's any literature on (or talk
of) female pheromones at ovulation<br>
having the capability to alter or inhibit or increase a particular type of
sperm-one that<br>
is more likely to impregnate?</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
JVK:</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The egg has been described as an active sperm-catcher;
pretty sure we cited this in my<br>
book, but<br>
no info I've seen indicates pheromonal effects on type of sperm. This is an
interesting<br>
thought,<br>
nonetheless. I hope you follow up with your inquiry to other experts. Pheromone
receptors<br>
also<br>
are present on sperm cells (presumably to guide them to the egg).</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>AA:</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>If such a sperm is more 'costly' in some way to
manufacture, it would make sense that a<br>
man would 'conserve' most 'fertile,' 'viable,' 'healthy'<br>
sperm for when female was at her most fertile. Or perhaps it is just as simple
as: when a<br>
man detects pheromones most (or likes them most), he is<br>
most turned on and produces MORE semen, thus more chance for fertilization to
occur. And<br>
perhaps more normal sperm cells are present? Any<br>
thoughts? </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>JVK:</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The literature I've seen indicates a continuum of
sperm production based on ratios of<br>
luteinizing hormone<br>
(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), with FSH being largely responsible
for<br>
development. However, it<br>
is an LH surge that accompanies both ovulation in women, and a testosterone
increase in<br>
men exposure to<br>
ovulatory women's pheromones (copulins). There is also some literature (Sperm
Wars) that<br>
mentions increased<br>
aniticipatory volume of semen, but no indications of sperm quality as I recall.
<br>
<br>
Sorry I can't be of more help, (read that your book got Jim Brody's approval,
congrats!)<br>
<br>
Jim</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>---------------------------------------------------</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>AA:<br>
I sometimes wonder if the feelings of Love during conception could possibly
alter the<br>
quality of sperm, too...<br>
neurotransmitters/hormones/peptides etc in woman feeling love during
sex-------->affect<br>
(copulins) pheromones (type or amount)----><br>
affect sperm quality???<br>
And/or 'love chemicals' in men simply affecting sperm quality etc....???
Hmmm....</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
JVK:<br>
A possibility, since many if not all neuronal systems feedback on <br>
the gonadotropin releasing hormone neuronal system, which drives<br>
everything about reproduction (and, of course, is directly affected<br>
by pheromones.) An example: increasing estrogen levels are linked<br>
to increased oxytocin release with orgasm in women. If oxytocin also<br>
increased with testosterone, bonding would be facilitated. Perhaps<br>
the bonding mechanism influences fertility. Or maybe something so<br>
simple as the immune system functions of paired mates adjusting to<br>
the ongoing presence of a mate, facilitating conception via immune<br>
system interaction with sperm production. Much to think about; more<br>
to study.<br>
<br>
Jim</span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div style='font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- </span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='-moz-background-clip: initial;-moz-background-inline-policy: initial;
-moz-background-origin: initial;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;
background-attachment:scroll;background-position-x:0%;background-position-y:
50%'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:jvkohl@bellsouth.net" title="jvkohl@bellsouth.net">JV Kohl</a> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:andrewsa@newpaltz.edu" title="andrewsa@newpaltz.edu">Alice Andrews</a>
; <a href="mailto:paleopsych@paleopsych.org" title="paleopsych@paleopsych.org">The
new improved paleopsych list</a> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Tuesday,
May 17, 2005 12:24 AM</span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Re:
[Paleopsych] What's the survival value ofposttraumaticstressdisorder?</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Alice,<br>
I've long thought that the link between PTSD and rape is olfactory. War vets
response triggered by smoke;<br>
women's response triggered by the natural scent of a man--or event associated
odors: alcohol, etc. The natural<br>
scent of a man can evoke chemical changes in reproductive hormone levels, which
would also affect personality.<br>
The association with natural masculine scent is most likely to alter intimacy
with a rape victim's loving spouse/lover.<br>
She will respond to him, unfortunately, as her traumatized body responded to
the rape. <br>
<br>
I wonder how much you've heard, read about the olfactory connection--and how
much validity you think<br>
there is to it.<br>
<br>
Jim Kohl<br>
<a href="http://www.pheromones.com">www.pheromones.com</a><br>
<br>
Alice Andrews wrote:<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Steve wrote:</span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Her chemistry will change, and depending on where she
is developmentally (her life-history), her personality may actually change!
(Pre, say, 25 years of age). </span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span></font></pre></blockquote>
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