This article was produced in collaboration with Gravité – a Masculine, Relaxed Cologne with the Power of Seduction by Particle for Men
There is a reason people finish with a spritz of perfume or cologne to complete their grooming routine before they leave for a date – it works!
Using fragrance is a centuries-old practice that has stood the test of time as a proven way to attract or seduce a partner, leaving an indelible mark on their psyche, a permanent connection to your scent.
As far as senses go, our poor old noses’ abilities have been somewhat under-appreciated. Smelling is one of the oldest evolutionary senses and one of the most crucial ways we comprehend our world.
Whether it was sensing danger or directing us to our ideal mating partner, the power of scent should not be underestimated in the human experience.
The Olfactory System and the Brain
The science of smell is probably an unfamiliar subject for many. Without geeking out too much, we can understand a little about the sense of smell via the system responsible for processing odors – the olfactory system.
It essentially works like this – a smell enters the nose and reaches the sensor neurons. Molecules from the odor then bind to a sensory receptor, sending a signal to the olfactory bulb in the forebrain. From here, further signals are sent to various areas in the brain and ‘processed.’
One such part of the brain that receives a signal from the olfactory bulb and processes smell is the amygdala (part of the limbic system). The amygdala is the section of the brain that relates to emotion.
The hippocampus is an area of the brain responsible for forming memories and also receives signals from the olfactory bulb (emotion and smell are, interestingly, stored as one memory).
The nostalgia brought about by the whiff of something familiar is a common human experience, all processed by the olfactory system.
The Scent of Seduction – Introducing Gravité Cologne for Men
How can a modern guy use this knowledge of scent and emotions to his advantage?
One of the best accessories for any man is confidence. A self-assured guy can take on every aspect of his life with vigour. And a time-honored way for men to feel successful and attract others is through the discovery of their ‘signature scent.’
Gravité by Particle for Men is one such men’s cologne, designed to allow you to distinguish yourself and leave a lasting impression.
As a tool of seduction, the cologne will not only leave an impression on you but it may be subtly detected and remembered by those you meet. Along with your natural scent, Gravité will hit the parts of the brain that can elicit feelings such as desire as well as work as a mood enhancer in the right situation.
Using an intoxicating mix of expertly blended seductive scents, Gravité features woody notes of amber and musk, known worldwide for inducing feelings of desire and passion. The mix is accentuated by citrus notes including bergamot, to create an alluring, masculine personal statement
The thing about cologne is you want it to work for you. Gravité will subtly linger for 12+ hours, so you can be assured of catching the attention of those close to you all day.
The Psychology of Fragrance
How many of you fondly remember your father’s aftershave or cologne?
Or perhaps you have had the (usually) pleasant experience of catching the smell of freshly baked goods or your favorite food cooking.
It’s not just fragrance companies interested in the psychology of smells. Increasingly, businesses attempt to connect emotionally with their customers, hence the interest in scents, psychology and associated nostalgia.
Our emotions can be powerfully affected by scent and fragrance (both good and bad).
If smell can evoke such emotional responses, we can begin to see the role fragrance might play across the domains of attraction, dating and seduction.
Just as we avoid ‘bad’ odors, we can be drawn toward pleasant or familiar smells.
When you ‘set the mood’ for a romantic evening, it often involves fragrance in the form of scented candles, subtle room sprays, cooking smells, personal fragrances etc.
But there is a lot more happening ‘behind the scenes’ in our brain and chemistry to explain why that girl is checking you out at the bar.
Pheromones and Fragrance
The effects of scents and colognes are more than just a mood enhancer or something to cover up body odor – they can also play a crucial role in attraction.
Now we enter the realm of personal ‘odor’, specifically, a chemical humans release via bodily fluids (e.g. sweat) called ‘pheromones.’
Researchers came across these substances while studying animals that emit pheromones to influence behavior and attract members of their species. (In humans, the olfactory system detects pheromones, a different process from animal pheromones).
Attraction is, of course, complex. And a subconscious aspect at play is the smell a potential partner may be emitting.
This study explores the effect of pheromones on women and their mood, mate attraction, focus and sexual response. When exposed to a compound (androstadienone), found in high concentrations in male sweat, the female subjects displayed improvement in focus and mood concerning the processing of emotional information.
Researchers and fragrance companies have explored adding ingredients in colognes that might try to mimic the effects of various natural chemicals, such as pheromones.
Replicating nature can be a tricky task, and continued work to develop this product for men remains an intriguing field of research.
Cultural and Social Perspectives
It stands to reason that not all cultures view scents and fragrance products the same when it comes to seduction.
In a Western cultural context, studies have shown body odor signals as the principal criteria for women in their choice of partner.
Then, there are the different meanings and preferences for particular scents in certain cultures (musk and amber in the Middle East, jasmine in the Subcontinent etc.).
The social aspect and significance of fragrances tie in with the cultural setting. The following are some of the uses of colognes that highlight the role of fragrances in everyday life –
- Hide, Modify or Enhance Body Odor
- Increase Sexual Allure
- Indicator of Cleanliness
- Signify Social Status or Personality
- Increased Self-Confidence
However, from ancient cultures in Egypt and Greece to modern cultures in today’s world, body scents and the use of fragrances influence our social lives most strongly through our romantic relationships and choice of mates.
Another interesting social consideration is that of male perceptions of grooming products, gender norms, societal expectations and marketing of products traditionally geared towards women.
A man is more likely to be judged by his body and abs these days than his occupation – things have changed.
Interest in colognes and personal grooming products for men appears to be booming, with a change in perception of masculinity, which now encompasses a broader definition to match modern society.
Ethical Considerations
It would be remiss of us not to mention cologne use and personal boundaries.
When wearing any fragrance, it pays to be mindful of other people’s personal space and whether you may impact others with sensitivities.
(Some workplaces have implemented Workplace Fragrance Policies to accommodate various health and occupational concerns).
Experiment with subtle ways to apply cologne or ask a friend. After all, the aim is to feel confident and attract people (not repel them!).
Conclusion
The historical use of cologne and fragrances that enhance mood, aid in seduction and work to attract a partner has long been appreciated by people the world over.
Each culture may have its preferred scents and unique blends, however, the appeal of personal fragrances does not appear to have waned.
Men’s use of cologne acts to enhance various aspects of their social and personal lives, helping them tackle life with confidence.
While numerous studies about smell, emotions, psychology, seduction and attraction exist, some aspects of the connection between scent, attraction and fragrances are yet to be comprehensively explored.
We know our brain recalls memories given particular odor cues. And our emotions are powerfully influenced by scents.
The world of men’s colognes is exciting territory for guys who can explore their signature scent, personal style and seduction techniques.
References
The importance of the olfactory sense in human behavior and evolution (J Med Life)
The scent of attraction and the smell of success: crossmodal influences on person perception (Cognitive Research Principles and Implications)
Making Sense of Scents: Smell and the Brain (BrainFacts.org)
What the nose knows (Harvard Gazette)
Pheromones and their effect on women’s mood and sexuality (Facts Views Vis Obgyn)
The impact of olfactory product expectations on the olfactory product experience (Food Quality and Preference)
Sex differences in response to physical and social factors involved in human mate selection: The importance of smell for women (Evolution and Human Behaviour)
Retailing masculinity: Gender expectations and social image of male grooming products in New Zealand (Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services)
This article was produced by the menPsyche editorial team in collaboration with our partner. The article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission if you purchase a product or service. We thank our Partners for publishing on menPsyche.
