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Odors can elicit a range of emotions, and even trigger memories, allowing us to reminisce as the aromas stimulate our senses. When it comes to sexual attraction, we can sniff out our perfect match not by the deodorants, or perfumes they use, but by the body odor we find most attractive, masked under those chemicals.
Our body odor is largely influenced by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules that are genetically determined and linked to the immune system.
Thus the “smelly T-shirt” experiment has shown the human species is attracted to scents with different compatibility genes from themselves. This is supported under the belief we choose partners who would provide a genetic advantage to their offspring.
