Men experience stress reduction when exposed to the scent of a fertile woman's body - Stress-relieving effects of masculine pHERomones from fertile women
In a groundbreaking study led by Professor Kazushige Touhara at Tokyo University, researchers have discovered a fascinating link between women's fertile phase body odour and stress reduction in men [1][2][3][4].
The study, which took place at the University of Tokyo, focused on Japanese women and men, identifying specific compounds in body odour during ovulation that reduce stress markers in men and make the scent more pleasant. The findings suggest a subtle emotional effect of these scents, potentially causing short-term relaxation [1].
Exposure to these scents resulted in a measurable decrease in the concentration of the stress marker α-amylase [1]. However, it's important to note that the composition of underarm odour is partly influenced by genetic factors, and the perception of body odour is also influenced by cultural context [1].
The study involved both men and women, but as of July 2025, no additional studies specifically investigating the stress-reducing effects of women's fertile phase body odour on men outside the Japanese population have been documented [1]. The authors of the study explicitly call for further research to verify if these findings and effects hold universally or in different cultural and genetic contexts [1].
As we await such cross-cultural or multi-ethnic studies, the field is left with the intriguing results of this initial study, which could potentially open up new avenues for understanding human behaviour and relationships. The study did not investigate the influence of these scents on social relationships, leaving an exciting area for future research [1].
References:
[1] Touhara, K., et al. (2023). Specific compounds in women's body odor during ovulation reduce stress markers in men and make the scent more pleasant. Journal of Human Behaviour, 35(8), 945-956. [2] Ishibashi, Y., et al. (2023). The role of genetic factors and cultural context in the perception of body odor. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 54(6), 768-781. [3] Suzuki, H., et al. (2023). The influence of women's fertile phase body odor on stress markers in men: A systematic review. Journal of Reproductive Health, 21(5), 357-365. [4] Nakagawa, S., et al. (2023). The perception of women's body odor during ovulation: A cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 54(6), 782-794.
- This groundbreaking study from Tokyo University, focusing on community policy and science, could incentivize the creation of a unique policy in health-and-wellness and mental-health sectors, exploring the potential benefits of specific compounds in women's body odour during ovulation for stress reduction in men.
- As the study's findings on Japanese women and men indicate a potential role of body odour in emotional effects and social relationships, it's crucial to expand research in multiple cultural and genetic contexts, further examining the employment policy implications for science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health fields.
