Androstadienone
A steroid chemosignal found in human sweat that subtly shifts mood and cortisol through smell, mainly in women.
Pharmacology
Contents
WHAT IS ANDROSTADIENONE?
Detailed overview
Androstadienone (androsta-4,16-dien-3-one) is a volatile steroid present in male sweat and skin sebum that research discusses as a putative human pheromone or social chemosignal. It does not act as a classic hormone: it has no androgenic or anabolic activity, and instead activates brain regions including the hypothalamus through the olfactory / chemosensory system, often at concentrations below conscious detection, predominantly in women. Controlled studies have measured subtle mood improvement, transient shifts in cortisol, sharpened attention to emotional stimuli and reduced nervousness, but the effects are small and highly dependent on context, sex and social setting. It is not a controlled substance or a recognized medicine: it appears in commercial fragrance products, often with unsubstantiated marketing claims.
Mechanism
Olfactory chemosignal (not a hormone-like action)
Evidence
Human fMRI and psychological studies (subtle, contested effects)
Legal status
Not a medicine; sold in fragrance products
Receptor profile
- Olfactory / chemosensory pathwaysModerate
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis / cortisolModerate
- Hypothalamus and social-cognition brain regionsWeak
Safety
Side effects, stop signs, contraindications
Side effects · 4
- No androgenic or anabolic activity: despite the steroid skeleton it does not act as a hormone in the body
- Possible skin or scent sensitivity and irritation when used in fragrance products
- Effects are small and highly context-dependent, varying by sex, mood and social setting
- Transient cortisol elevation in some studies, which may accompany a feeling of stress
Contraindications · 3
- Commercial pheromone marketing claims are scientifically unsubstantiated: expect no guaranteed attraction effect
- Avoid fragranced formulations in case of perfume allergy or sensitive skin
- Not a medicine or supplement: not suitable for treating mood or anxiety complaints
Related Nootropics
Same therapeutic category
Studies
Related research and clinical findings
Psychological effects of subthreshold exposure to the putative human pheromone 4,16-androstadien-3-one
Lundström JN, Goncalves M, Esteves F, Olsson MJ
The putative pheromone androstadienone activates cortical fields in the human brain related to social cognition
Gulyás B, Keri S, O'Sullivan BT, Decety J, Roland PE
Heterosexual men and women both show a hypothalamic response to the chemo-signal androstadienone
Burke SM, Veltman DJ, Gerber J, Hummel T, Bakker J
A human chemosignal modulates frontolimbic activity and connectivity in response to emotional stimuli
Hummer TA, Phan KL, Kern DW, McClintock MK
The human body odor compound androstadienone increases neural conflict coupled to higher behavioral costs during an emotional Stroop task
Hornung J, Kogler L, Wolpert S, Freiherr J, Derntl B
Human chemosignals modulate emotional perception of biological motion in a sex-specific manner
Ye Y, Zhuang Y, Smeets MAM, Zhou W
FAQ
FAQ
A steroid chemosignal found in human sweat that subtly shifts mood and cortisol through smell, mainly in women.
Telegram
Have a question about Androstadienone?
Reach out to us on Telegram for a personalized stack. We'll be happy to help.
Personalized consultation
Want a detailed conversation tailored to your data?
Fill out the prep intake form (your goals, training and health data), and the advisor prepares from it to give genuinely personalized guidance.
Fill out the form~5–7 min · prep questionnaire · confidential · GDPR-compliant
Structure & chemistry
The information here is strictly for educational and scientific purposes. It does not replace medical advice or clinical consultation, and it does not encourage illegal substance or pharmaceutical use. Data is sourced. When in doubt, consult your doctor.