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Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

science.org

81–90 of 143 posts

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if this is the same chemical that is released by decaying humans, but the few times I was exposed to decaying human bodies (forgotten elderly people in apartment complexes), I felt an overwhelming calming feeling. The smell is overwhelming, but I specifically remember the feeling it created.

This is a very interesting effect. If it is the same chemical, I wonder if it's because the scent sends signals to your brain that indicate that you might be in danger and keeping your cool may be somehow beneficial to your survival...

1. If there’s a dead human nearby, what killed it may be there too

2. Don’t waste your energy, this person is dead

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#82
post #3

I don’t know if this counts as a pheromone, but babies definitely emit _something_. As a recent father, I have had numerous people remark on how wonderful babies smell after smelling my child. I can’t smell anything. People who can smell this particular smell seem very perplexed that I can’t smell it.

Off topic: You can't smell anything from baby's excrement until they start eating meat.

Any solids. We recently started with fruits for a short while because that’s what our pediatrician recommended and the smell immediately got bad. Like real bad. Transitioned to vegetables and proteins and it got even worse though.

As a side note my wife and I are convinced going fruits first was not ideal as our 6 month old now loves her fruits but hates her veggies. We saw this coming but figured it better to listen to our pediatrician.

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would guess they decided to approach you before they smelled the baby. How close do you have to be to smell a baby. If they were close enough to smell I suspect the had already approached you by the strictest definition of approach.

Any cisgender women that like to check out babies want to chime in? Maybe additional ciswomen that talk with their other cis women friends who like to check out babies?

Why bring up cis women specifically? If this response/behavior is in fact real (which I have many doubts on), you could well theorize that it is related to female hormones, which transwomen who have transitioned have as well.

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#84
post #29

Used to be a new father; can confirm. Women who would not pay attention to me without a baby would stop me on the street to coo over a babe in arms.

There's a lot of weird psychology in how humans work. Many men also notice that they are more interesting to other women, only after they enter a relationship with a woman. Apparently it's one of natures way of conserving energi. One woman have already spend the time to assess the man, and judged him to be a good partner, so it might be easier to just go after this pre-vetted man.

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#85
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Off topic: You can't smell anything from baby's excrement until they start eating meat.

Any solids. We recently started with fruits for a short while because that’s what our pediatrician recommended and the smell immediately got bad. Like real bad. Transitioned to vegetables and proteins and it got even worse though. As a side note my wife and I are convinced going fruits first was not ideal as our 6 month old now loves her fruits but hates her veggies. We saw this coming but figured it better to listen…

If my experience is anything to go on, starting with vegetables and meat, and complex flavours like curry only gets you a few weeks of thinking it worked but the fruit and white bread will eventually win.

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#89
post #29

Used to be a new father; can confirm. Women who would not pay attention to me without a baby would stop me on the street to coo over a babe in arms.

There's a lot of weird psychology in how humans work. Many men also notice that they are more interesting to other women, only after they enter a relationship with a woman. Apparently it's one of natures way of conserving energi. One woman have already spend the time to assess the man, and judged him to be a good partner, so it might be easier to just go after this pre-vetted man.

Job interviews are like this too. Nothing as vetted as somebody from a FAANG!

Re: Chemical emitted by babies could make men more docile, women more aggressive

#90
post #28
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Three kids here. I could never smell it either. To me babies mostly smell of poop and whatever medication of the hour you have slapped all over their bottom. One thing I have noticed is they smell worse as they get older :)

You remind me of my sister. Once her son was a tween, she remarked "omg, has reached puberty. I have to hold my breath to collect the laundry."

Full hazmat gear here. She’s right.
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