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Researchers Claim Pheromones Trigger Brain Cell Growth

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the crack-open-the-smelling-smarts dept.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that pheromones could enable the growth of new brain cells. "Pheromone signals from dominant males spark new brain cells in their female partners and could help repair injured brains, suggests a new study by a University of Calgary neuroscientist. Sam Weiss's findings, in the July issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience, provide evidence that pheromones -- subtle chemical signatures that influence mating behavior -- can control stem cells in the brain."

4 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Oh really now? by Icarus1919 · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's funny, I generally find that people become dumber when pheromones are involved.

    1. Re:Oh really now? by spikesahead · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Of course, new brain cells don't mean more intelligence.

      New brain cells will accelerate learning and cement patterns in place. If people under the influence learn dumb patterns they will find it harder to break out of those patterns later.

      This is probably one of the major reasons women in abusive relationships can't seem to break away from their abusers. The patterns of behavior become ingrained through this process.

      --
      bend like the reed
  2. That's why I by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Funny

    sniff bicycle seats. Honest. Brain growth

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  3. So the truth is finally revealed... by SixDimensionalArray · · Score: 4, Funny

    Glad to lay this ages old argument to rest.. women are actually smarter than men.. but because men's pheromones make them that way?!?!

    I sense a disturbance in the force! It's as if a million feminists shouted out at once and were suddenly silenced, if not utterly confused!

    SixD