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Pheromonal Mind Control Mellows Moody Mutts

Posted by timothy on from the would-it-work-for-me dept.

StefanJ writes "Two researchers at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh have been experimenting with DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) a chemical that calms down dogs. The study described in this press release subjected dogs in a shelter to the hormone. The homeless animals barked less, and reacted better to visitors. I've heard that realtors prepping a house for show sometimes put a drip or two of vanilla extract on a kitchen stovetop, in the theory that this particular scent makes people feel at home. A specific Human Appeasing Hormone would really up the ante. You spray it on elementary school kids when the weather is nice, or when a substitute teacher is due. And on jail inmates. And people in malls who are sitting on benches instead of shopping, the damn freeloaders! Oh, Brave New World, that has such psychoactive scents in it!"

13 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. hmm by kurosawdust · · Score: 3, Funny

    this is an excellent idea. It is with this in mind that I will invent a nasally-administered substance to calm human beings down. I shall call it "Co-nostrilinial Novocaine", or "cocaine" for short. To the patent office!

  2. The diversity of life will get them. by BrynM · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The idea of a "shopping pheremone" would bring lots of unexpected behavior, I bet. On 99.9% of the population it could work... until that wacko that associated shopping with going on a shooting spree and can't help himself from raiding the sporting goods department. Talk about your "devil made me do it" plea!

    "I couldn't stop shooting. Everyone just smelled like they needed to be dead."

    People think erratically enough. Pushing behavior in such a casual way is a dangerous thing.

    --
    US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
  3. Useful by $exyNerdie · · Score: 3, Funny

    animals barked less
    Wish I could one day use this on the lady in the next cubicle at work. Boy what a constant distraction her phone talk is !!

  4. The best way to mellow out a dog. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The best way to mellow out a dog,
    from the dog's point of view.
    A long walk through the woods.
    Followed by a pork chop or steak.
    Then a long belly rub.

  5. Old News by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I got a spam e-mail pitching me magical pheremones well over two weeks ago. /. is falling behind.

  6. Poindextrose? by dnahelix · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The pungent vinegar and tangy Roquefort block the smell receptors, rendering the bully harmless." -L.S.

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  7. For the cat lovers... by beeplet · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There is a similar product already on the market for cats. I have to wonder, though, whether long-term use would be harmful, for example by desensitizing the animal to certain pheremones. If a cat or dog suddenly finds that everything smells "comforting", you might end up a few years later with an even more nervous animal that doesn't feel comfortable anywhere. I think I'll stick to old fashioned training with my cats...

  8. Seriously though... by l1_wulf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    In all seriousness, think of the practicaly applications for hikers, hunters and trail enthusiasts. Bobcat problem? Bears? Wouldn't it be nice if you happened to stumble upon a normally hostile animal only to find that its disregard of your presence is almost enough to hurt your feelings...

  9. I recommend it by nmnilsson · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I recommend this spray wholeheartedly.

    When we moved to a new apartment three years ago, our cat started peeing (not just spraying) in odd places.
    I called the vet, who suggested the spray.
    We used it - for about a month - until she stopped peeing and started marking the areas herself (now with her facial scent glands).

    --
    No sig to see here. Move along.
    1. Re:I recommend it by wayne606 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Never had a cat who sprayed, huh?

      I tried it with my male cat and it didn't work... Too stubborn I guess.

      The way that this stuff works is by converting the urge to mark using spraying (which is not really urine, but an oily substance made by separate glands) into an urge to mark using facial hormones. That's why cats rub their faces on people - to mark their territory.

  10. Related forum on the subject by jago25_98 · · Score: 2, Informative

    http://www.love-scent.com -> forum, top right.

    A few experts on there.

    --
    A blog I run for the wealth
  11. Already Exists by Josh+Booth · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A specific Human Appeasing Hormone would really up the ante.

    It already exists. It's called marijuana.

    1. Re:Already Exists by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Interesting
      Or put (slightly) more specifically, it's an assortment of Cannabinoids, THC chiefly among them. However arguably the THC is only a small part of the experience, because Marinol (synthetic THC) doesn't reportedly get you high, or as one might say, provide headchange. It's used to treat severe (as in life-threatening) vomiting and nausea, and to induce appetite. All of this tends to center around HIV+ and Chemo patients.

      Anyone have a list of all the (known?) psychoactive compounds in Marijuana? I'd settle just for a list of the cannibinoids.

      Anyway you didn't go into the reason why Marijuana qualifies; Because the stuff that makes you high is the hormones of the female plant.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"