It's unlikely you'll ever see a warning on your birth control pill or your deodorant that says “may cause bad relationship choices.” And yet several scientists worry that these staples of modern life could interfere with an elemental mammalian system we use to sniff out genetically compatible mates.
— Columnist Faye Flam summarizes recent research linking smell and sexual happiness in Carnal Knowledge: Your Scent and Your Sex Life in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Fascinating piece. Thanks for posting the link. Feeling slightly relieved I was on a break from the pill when I met DH, but still feel deep emotional bonding trumps simple sexual attraction…although, in all honesty, have to wonder if DH would agree w/ that. Also am curious as to how this would work w/ gay couples.
I thought it was fascinating too — especially the part about infidelity & MHC genes. It was a very small sample, still, worth considering. Can't you imagine pre-marital testing in the future?