The Author: James Vaughn Kohl

The Scent of Eros: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality was first published in 1995.

An updated paperback version was published in 2002. This picture of James Vaughn Kohl was taken on October 7, 2007. 
                                         co-author: Dr. Robert T. Francoeur

Human Pheromones
The Scent of Eros: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality

Scientists have long known that odors and subliminal scents - sex attractants or pheromones - influence how animals develop, mate, bond, and nurture their offspring. Human animals are no exception. Odors can accelerate puberty, control women's menstrual cycles and influence their mood, alter men's hormone levels, and even influence sexual orientation. They help us to distinguish lovers and family members from strangers, and promote the mother/infant bond. Odors affect how often we have sex, and with whom. They influence how the brain develops, what we remember, and how we learn. Just as the chemical appeal of food influences our food preferences, the chemical appeal of other people influences our people preferences. Odors are the spice of life. Tall, dark, and handsome is a visual description of a masculine scent signature. Men prefer the natural scent of young women who send chemical signals of maximum fertility levels. Many aspects of physical appeal in others are simply conditioned responses to pheromones.Grounded in solid scientific research, yet maintaining an easy-to-read style, The Scent of Eros is an engrossing read on a whole new world under our noses!

In this book, you will find the answers to these questions (and more):

• Why do women tend to end up on "his" side of the bed, or wear his shirts or robe while he's away? 
• Why does a child's security blanket or teddy bear lose its appeal when washed? 
• Why is dancing a courtship ritual common in nearly every culture? 
• Why do the menstrual cycles of women who live or work together become synchronized? 
• Why does libido (the sex drive) peak during the middle of a woman's monthly menstrual cycle? 
• What makes the sports hero, or the "macho" man so attractive to most women? 
• Why does libido decline with age? 
• Why is sexual variety the spice of life? 
• What gives a good sun tan the power of an aphrodisiac? 
• Why do blondes have more fun? 
• Why do men and women develop sexual attractions that are not present before puberty? 
• Why are odors more important than visual stimuli in determining sexual attraction?
• How is our courtship sequence influenced more by pheromones than by what we see?
• Why is tall, dark, and handsome merely a visual description of a masculine scent signature? 
• When is the natural scent of a woman most appealing to men? 
• How can pheromones alter the developmental timing of puberty? 
• How do pheromones determine our personal preferences in a member of the opposite sex? 
• Why do we think that our perception of a perfect waist to hip ratio is determined by visual input? 
• What is the link between pheromones and male sexual orientation? 
• Why are testosterone levels lower in married men?
• Is there any such thing as a gay pheromone?

                         Epilogue       2002 revision                                               276-306
 

Reviewer's comments (please note that most of these reviews are from people "in the know" many of whom specialize in behavioral development). 

"This is science at its best, with adventure ideas, and lots of facts... You will never look at your lover or your family the same way again." --Helen Fisher, Ph.D., author of The Anatomy of Love

"This book examines odors and subliminal scents (termed sex attractants or pheromones), and how they influence numerous aspects of our sexuality and sexual behavior. While presenting important and complex research, the book is accessible to the general reader and makes science applicable to daily life." --(1996) SIECUS Report 24:3.

"A challenging and original work at the cutting edge of sexual science..."
-- Timothy Perper, Ph.D., author of Sex Signals: The Biology of Love

"...intriguing book on the role of odor in human sexuality. ...written at a level understandable to the educated public..." --Wiederman, M.W. (1995) Journal of Sex Research 32: 257-259.

"Recent discoveries seem to show that, like animals, we humans are driven by odors -- the famed pheromones. Here may lie the secret of why and whom we love, how often we have sex, what establishes the bond between infant and mother, and even our sexual orientation." --Elliott, T. (1995) Mensa Bulletin Oct: 35.

"... Kohl and Francoeur lead us on a treasure hunt through history, literature, and scientific data..." --Gina Ogden, Ph.D., author of Women Who Love Sex

"An astonishing collection of research."
--David Schnarch, Ph.D., author of Constructing the Sexual Crucible

Full text of the Human Nature review by Mark Sergeant, Psychology Division, The Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG1 4BU, United Kingdom.

Full text of the Institute for Psychological Therapies (forensics) review.

Full text of an Epinions review.

The Scent of Eros: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality
James Vaughn Kohl and Robert T. Francoeur, Ph.D.
309 pages 0-595-23383-X $21.95 +shipping
publication date July 2002

This updated edition is available through most book outlets (e.g., Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble). Media representatives may email: jvkohl@bellsouth.net for more information.