Hey, Pheroquirk. Nice to see you around. 
No, I was referring to self-effects only. The acute effects on others are as strong as ever with these two.
The most profound self-effects I get to any new pheromone are usually on the first 10 exposures or so.
If I don’t use A1 or -none for awhile, I still do quite a pronounced self-effect… but as intense as my own response is, it’s still not as dramatic as my my very first exposure to commercial levels of A1 or -none many years ago.
It’s just biological memory, a bit like riding a bike. No matter how hard you try, you can’t quite replicate the time when you didn’t know how to ride at all. (unless something severe happens to your neurology – stroke, etc.)
Again, though, -none and A1 are as dramatic as ever on others. While there may be aspects that are diminished, I don’t notice them, because they’re overwhelmed by the overt responses.
Pheromones may create so-called “subtle” changes, but the changes from -none and A1 are definitely the least subtle of the lot. Even brutal, in the case of androstenone or the way A1 affects some men. They’re definitely “Hammer & Nail” type pheromones, not the miniature scale screwdriver type.
On the other hand, there are “softer” pheromones where I know that behavioral loops are definitely playing a part.
A314, for instance, makes me act in a much more confident, commanding manner. One friend of mine always comment on how powerful my body language is when I’m using it.
Then there’s something like Molecule A (used in Instant Shine).
When I first used this one, I had a dramatic self-response. I was a strong responder for about two months (until, interestingly, I got a cold – then I never responded quite as strongly again). For those first months, I felt elated and extremely self-confident. Just glad to be alive. Sort of like a “joy pheromone”.
However, I didn’t notice much from other people. Wingmen and pivots could tell an enormous difference, however, and I’d even fight them over what they were reporting (“Are you sure? Man I feel great, but I sure don’t see what you’re talking about!”).
I’ve seen this happen to others, too. “I feel great, but I don’t know if it’s doing anything the people around me”.
It seems that the more people self-respond to Molecule A or Instant Shine, the less they seem to notice from others. But those who aren’t very self-responsive from A seem to notice the effects on others much more.
The feeling of “outcome independence” Molecule A gives some responders seems to carry with it the unfortunate negative that it can make you oblivious to what’s going on around you socially. (part of the reason it increases social confidence in some people)
As it make you feel so good, you focus goes more inward and dissociate from both positive and negative external feedback.
So it’s a double edge sword. You might feel great, and be more expressive because you’re less worried about (and indeed, less tuned into) social responses, but not be able to personally recognize the positive effect this is having on others.
A “damn, I feel great… may the peanut gallery be damned!” type of effect.
I describe this in the Shine description by simply saying that it can give some users an “aloof” type of confidence. Aloof confidence itself can be attractive, being aloof carries positives as well as negatives.
I think it’s ultimately a plus sum game, though. You’re feeling good at the same time you’re perhaps a little socially oblivious. Most self-responders seem to act out in a very positive manner while under the influence of Molecule A.
This is quite unlike alcohol, where some people’s decreased social awareness makes them act out in an antisocial manner. (the “mean” drunk)