What Is Pheromone Maxxing on TikTok—& Does It Really Work?

Find out if there’s any scientific basis behind this “maxxing” trend

Co-authored by Amber Crain Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: October 2, 2025 Fact Checked

What is the pheromone maxxing trend on TikTok?

|

Is there any science behind pheromone maxxing?

|

Why is pheromone maxxing trending on TikTok?

|

Should you try pheromone maxxing?

|

Video

If you’ve heard social media chatter about the pheromone maxxing trend, you’re probably wondering what it’s all about. Pheromone maxxing is when users (typically males) attempt to boost their “natural musk” by avoiding showers and bathing. It’s based on the flawed idea that humans secrete pheromones that trigger primal mating instincts in potential partners, similar to animals and insects. But does it really work? In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know, including what the trend entails and whether it’s based on real science.

Pheromone Maxxing Explained

Pheromone maxxing is a viral trend where users try to boost their “natural musk” by avoiding showers in order to increase their sexual attractiveness. It’s based on the scientifically unproven idea that humans secrete pheromones that trigger mating instincts in potential partners, like animals and insects do.

Section 1 of 4:

What is the pheromone maxxing trend on TikTok?

Pheromone maxxing is when you boost your “natural scent” to increase attractiveness. Pheromone maxxing is a TikTok trend where users (typically males) seek to enhance their natural “musk” by avoiding showers and giving up deodorant. The theory is based on the idea that your natural “musk” (body odor) makes you sexually attractive to potential partners because it contains pheromones that trigger primal mating instincts in others.
- Pheromone maxxing can also include using commercial perfumes and colognes that supposedly have pheromones in them.
- What exactly are pheromones? Pheromones are chemicals that certain animals and insects secrete to trigger a mating response from others of the same species. These chemical signals are processed by the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which is part of the olfactory system (meaning animals and insects detect pheromones through their nose).^{[1]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Science Direct
  Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
  
  Go to source}

Section 2 of 4:

Is there any science behind pheromone maxxing?

Pheromone maxxing is not based on science, and there’s no proof it works. Humans do not have a functioning vomeronasal organ (VNO), which is what animals and insects use to detect pheromones. Humans do appear to have a physical structure that resembles the VNO, but it’s considered “vestigial”—an evolutionary remnant that no longer functions or plays a role in physiology (just like tonsils, wisdom teeth, and the appendix).^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Beyond that, pheromones are a specific type of chemical with a subtle scent. The human “musk” (ahem, BO) created by avoiding showers and deodorant is caused by bacteria and sweat on the skin, not pheromones, and the scent is not exactly subtle. It’s not the same thing at all.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Do humans even have pheromones? Humans do detect and react to subtle odors produced by other humans, but there’s no scientific evidence that pheromones actually exist in the human body. Theoretically, humans may have pheromones since other mammals do, but science has not been able to identify the existence of human pheromones.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}

Section 3 of 4:

Why is pheromone maxxing trending on TikTok?

Pheromone maxxing is part of the “maxxing” trend on social media. “Maxxing” is a slang suffix that means to maximize some aspect of your life and improve yourself. Looksmaxxing is one of the most popular maxxing trends on social media (especially TikTok and Reddit)–the goal of looksmaxxing is to improve your physical appearance and attractiveness. This can include basic things like skincare and diet, but most maxxing practices involve far more invasive and extreme measures, many of which aren’t backed by science.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Extreme looksmaxxing measures include things like steroid use, hair transplants, plastic surgery, penis pumps, and rib removal.
- Looksmaxxing has roots in the online incel community, where men focus on ways to increase their “sexual market value” while engaging in misogynistic behavior and toxic masculinity.
- There are some more lighthearted “maxxing” trends out there, although they mostly exist as parodies of looksmaxxing. For example, you might see things like sleepmaxxing, fibermaxxing, and lifemaxxing on social media.

Section 4 of 4:

Should you try pheromone maxxing?

We don’t recommend it because it’s unhealthy and doesn’t work. Not showering can lead to acne, skin infections, body odor, and greasy hair–these are not attractive traits and can even make you sick. There can also be social consequences because your peers will likely gossip about your body odor and maybe even bully you about it, which would be awful to experience. Neglecting your hygiene also isn’t good for your mental health. There are truly no good reasons to try pheromone maxxing, and we don’t recommend it.
- What about pheromone perfumes and colognes? There’s no harm in trying these products, and some of them smell really nice! They don’t contain human pheromones, though–according to science, humans may not even have pheromones, and we don’t possess a functional vomeronasal organ (VNO) to detect them anyway.
  - These products do contain synthesized versions of molecules that might have properties similar to pheromones, along with added fragrance to make them smell nice. According to current science, “pheromone” fragrances are just a marketing ploy.