HPS Files Patent for Mood-Enhancing Compound Naturally Found in …
17 /- Human PheromoneS… We are very excited about the potential of this naturally-occurring compound that we have labeled ER 303. Just inhaling very small quantities resulted in enhanced feelings of confidence, relaxation, affection, warmth, satisfaction and sensuality, in both men and women," a spokesperson indicated. Before the Company perfected the reproduction of this compound, it could only be found in coral reefs off the coasts of Newfoundland and in the waters off Brazil’s Guiabinha Island.
If it’s only found in coral reefs (e.g., under water), how did they get the idea this compound would influence the “feelings” of people who inhaled it? I’ll take an interest when they present research findings to other scientists (e.g., rather than issue a press release for the relatively uninformed masses).James V. Kohl
I should have considered that fish may have “feelings,” too. I wonder how they feel about HPS patenting their pheromone. Note the singular form of what typically exists in a mixture of human pheromone(s) the plural form. From all the possible compounds wafting in/on the water, the naturally-occuring ER-303 would be an amazing discovery if it worked on people who were exposed by non-HPS researchers with results reported at scientific congresses or in peer-reviewed journals. Details to follow…, or not?
Sexual reproduction requires two organisms for life that begets other life. The organisms must recognize self from non-self (find each other); there must be a protein (ligand) that fits a receptor (protein); and something must change in both organisms (exchange of genetic material). Buried deep in our brains (e.g., in the medial preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus) is a version of the same protein that allows for sexual reproduction in yeast–and the nerve cells that contain the protein release the hormone that regulates all of human reproduction. Thus, I take issue with your speculative use of ‘perhaps.’ Nevertheless, at least you have grasped the consistency across species, which is more than many researchers seem capable of doing. It will be interesting to see if HPS addresses this consistency in their studies of cause and effect.
I’m not sure how the tongue fits into the cheek, but I do know how pheromones activate genes in hormone-secreting nerve cells of the medial preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus. As everyone knows, this is where the third interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus is found (INAH-3), and its structure may vary with sexual orientation, as would its response to pheromones. Uhmmm, does that help clarify what I meant to mean when I said what I thought I wanted to say?
So JVK, can I say that there may be something “fishy” with this report? (Lame attempt at humor…)
Although on a bit more serious note: if I recall the at least “supposed” existence (as there still seems to be some debate on that point) of pheromones has been ascribed to insects and land-based mammals (eg pigs for sure, and including humans). But I’m not sure if I recall any research on if fish (and water-dwelling mammals as well) produce or respond to pheromones (or something “pheromone like” ie a chemical form of communication). Could you enlighten?
Not so lame. They’re saying they’ve determined something fishy about a pheromone that affects humans (or should that be determined a fishy pheromone that affects humans).
Matthew Grober is the expert on fish pheromones responsible for females changing to males (in the absence of a male). That’s one of the most powerful examples of what pheromones can do. When I first met him, at a conference in 1995, he was rather sure that something besides pheromones was forcing the change. Five years later, at the second conference, he sat down at breakfast with me and told me that (as I had first suggested) it was the pheromones.
Although somewhat self-promoting, anecdotes like this one from my past experiences with other researchers are, in part, what caused me to secure the domain Pheromones.com (in 1996) when no one else seemed to have a clue about the importance of human pheromones.
In a discussion with sexologists last week, “nerve zero” was the topic I was asked about. The article that prompted renewed interest was about finding this nerve in a pilot whale, and its likely involvement in pheromonal communication. Pheromones are just for land-dwellers.
