Can a perfume be aphrodisiac?

One of the most ubiquitous questions consumers have in mind when deciding on a fragrance is: 


Can a perfume be an aphrodisiac? 
Is there such a thing as a “love potion”? 


Since the beginning of human history scent has proved the ability to kindle passion and eroticism. Think Cleopatra ascending the Nile on her barge of incense designed to announce her arrival...and seduce Mark Antony.

Scent can certainly make you feel sexier but there is no scientific evidence to suggest that fragrance is actually an aphrodisiac. Smell is obviously linked to our sexuality and some experts believe that hormones released from glands in the groin and armpit act as powerful sexual attractants in the way that pheromones released by animals do. The sense of confidence the right perfume can give, plus the attractive chemical cocktail it helps create, can certainly be a great turn-on.

After all, two people cannot maintain a relationship if the don't like each others’ smell.

Can a fragrance change my mood?

Yes. One of the most remarkable properties of fragrance is the way it instantly affects our emotions. Studies have shown that fragrances can stimulate or calm us, encourage a good mood or bad, shape positive or negative memories and induce sweet dreams. Aromatherapy - the art of healing with fragrant essential oils - is based on the idea that aroma has the power to affect mood.

Fragrance has long been recognized as a powerful and subtle tool for re-balancing the mind and the body. “Every perfume is a medicine” says the old Chinese proverb.

Ann Gottlieb, a fragrance consultant who has worked on the development of Calvin Klein’s fragrances, said in a recent interview that “Much of what’s used in products that make aroma therapeutic claims is based on tradition and folklore rather than science but, more and more, research is pointing to our ability to alter moods. Soon, fragrance is not just going to make you smell good, it will have a very real physiological effect."

In a recent study, peppermint and lily of the valley were found to increase alertness at work. One Tokyo company pipes peppermint into the office to improve productivity. Another company sends different fragrances through the air conditioning system to enhance staff productivity. A whiff of citrus helps get the day off to a good start. An unobtrusive floral fragrance aids concentration in mid-morning and afternoon. A touch of cedar seems to relieve tiredness during the lunch break and in the late afternoon.