Sex-steroid derived compounds induce sex-specific effects on autonomic nervous system

[Chemo (BDC Concepts)]

Behav Neurosci. 2003 Dec;117(6):1125-34.

Sex-steroid derived compounds induce

sex-specific effects on autonomic nervous system function in humans.

Bensafi M, Brown WM, Tsutsui T,

Mainland JD, Johnson BN, Bremner EA, Young N, Mauss I, Ray B, Gross J, Richards J, Stappen I, Levenson RW, Sobel

N.

Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley 94720,

USA. bensafi@uclink.berkeley.edu

The physiological and psychological effects of 2 human

sex-steroid derived compounds, 4.16-androstadien-3-one (AND) and l,3,5(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol(EST) were measured

in 24 subjects who participated in a within-subjects, double-blind experiment. A dissociation was evident in the

physiological effects of AND, in that it increased physiological arousal in women but decreased it in

men. EST did not significantly affect physiological arousal in women or men. AND is an androgen derivative

that is the most prevalent androstene in human male sweat, male axillary hair, and on the male axillary skin

surface. The authors argue that AND's opposite effects on physiology in men and women further implicate this

compound in chemical communication between humans. (c) 2003 APA

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial


Controlled Clinical Trial

Physical proof that pheromones work at the system level of

humans...

Bobby

[SweetBrenda]

Right on...

[Chemo (BDC Concepts)]

I'll keep 'em

coming as long as they spark discussion and hopefully a little innovation!

Bobby

[DrSmellThis]

I'll do my part. I love that

study you just posted. How did they measure arousal?

[einstein]

Nice article. Keep up the good

work Chemo.

In answer to DST's question:

The following eight autonomic nervous system parameters

were simultaneously and continuously recorded and displayed during the experiment: skin conductance response (SCR),

electrocardiogram (ECG), finger pulse (FP), ear pulse (EP), blood pressure (BP), skin temperature (ST), abdominal

respiration (AR), and thoracic respiration (TR). In addition to these eight variables, subject body movement or

fidgeting was also recorded.

[einstein]

This studay found no significant

effects of mood, which the scientists say contradicts a report by Jacob and McClintoc and a report by Grosser.


They also found that A1 increased skin conductance, heartrate, and breathing rate in women. The Grosser study

found the opposite.

They attribute the differences to different testing methods. Grosser used chemicals from

Pherin, the others got from Steraloids. And most interesting IMO, Grosser administered straight to the VNO, while

McClintock dissolved it in clove oil and put it on the upper lip, and this study had them sniff a jar of crystals.



They didn't really measure sexual arousal. It was one question of the psychological questionaire, but wasn't

any different than the control.

[Chemo (BDC Concepts)]

Good points and

input einstein! But, remember, this study used objective measures and not onpinion based subjective metrics (are

you aroused, do you like the smell, etc).

There is a difference between being stimulated (physiological

arousal) and having that impulse translate directly to mood enhancement (sexual arousal). As everyone here knows,

it takes less to physically stimulate than to sexually stimulate where such factors as environment, level of

comfort, even hunger can affect the outcome.

Thoughts?

Bobby

[DrSmellThis]

I misread it in haste. The

increased physiological arousal indicates that A1 is generally stimulating. But there is still no evidence that it

is sexually stimulating in particular. I apologize for contributing to the confusion! Damn! Still, meaningful

results.

Thanks, einstein.

[nonscents]

Bobby,

Great post! Very

informative stuff. Keep 'em coming.