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Telltale breath: Scientists have discovered that sexual arousal can be detected in the breath
Volatile molecules in the breath reveal whether we are sexually aroused or not
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When desire arises, we feel it in the abdomen or in the accelerated pulse. But more subtle physical traits also betray sexual arousal. Researchers now even claim to have discovered a signature of eroticism in the breath.
A flirt. Flattery is breathed into the ears in an ensnaring manner. The person opposite exudes a sexual vibe. Or is that just imagination? A person’s body shows whether he is sexually aroused or not. On the pupils that dilate. The pulse that increases. And of course the genitals, which are supplied with more blood when aroused. And there seems to be something in the air in the truest sense of the word when we get – to put it bluntly – horny. A research team recently discovered that a state of sexual arousal can also be detected in the breath. We’re talking about a kind of signature of eroticism.
As part of the international study, which was carried out in the so-called SexLab at the University of Porto, a small test group was shown ten-minute film clips in a random order. Including nature and travel documentaries, horror films, a soccer game and also an erotic film. While the test persons watched the films, a team from the Max Planck Institute dealt with the effect the shown recordings had on the twelve women and twelve men. Did what they saw excite them? Was there a measurable rise in temperature on the genitals? In addition, the breath was analyzed, continuously checked for over a hundred volatile organic compounds to see if there was any detectable pleasure in it. The results have now been published in the journal “Nature”.
Evidence found for “sexy” breath
And so, as soon as the erotic film started, the researchers were able to detect a change in the composition of volatile molecules in the breath of those who were sexually aroused by what they were seeing. “The test subjects exhaled less isoprene and carbon dioxide, but the concentration of degradation products of certain neurotransmitters increased,” says a statement.
For example, phenol, cresol and indole could be detected in men. Which, explains Nijing Wang, first author of the study, “appear to be typical indicators of sexual arousal”. The so-called happiness hormone dopamine was also found in one woman’s breath. “In general, the results of the breath analysis in men were clearer than in women,” says Giovanni Pugliese, researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry: The scientists did not observe the same increase in volatile substances in women as in men. In addition, some women were not particularly aroused by the erotic films.
The researchers are certain that the results could help to better assess sexual dysfunction. However, only twelve women and twelve men took part in the study. Therefore, the study should be expanded with additional subjects, and the significance of the results should be increased. In addition, the Max Planck researchers want to investigate the extent to which people send fleeting chemical signals when speaking, kissing or hugging and whether the other person perceives them – consciously or unconsciously.
The Mainz atmospheric researcher Jonathan Williams came up with the idea for the study. His team was able to show in earlier studies that people constantly emit chemical signals into the air through their breath and skin, which can change depending on their emotional state.
Source: Nature, Max Planck Institutewith material from the dpa