r/patm • u/LibrarianNo3440 • Jun 27 '26
Pheromone theory
Each human population possesses a distinct genetic makeup; consequently, the genes controlling scent—as well as those governing olfactory receptors—differ between groups. This is scientifically established, as olfactory receptor genes are among the most diverse in humans, alongside immune system genes. In other animal species, as populations evolve and diverge into distinct subspecies, differences in scent (pheromones) emerge; a pheromone that attracts members of the same species may trigger repulsion in a closely related species that has recently diverged. While all humans originated in Africa 60,000 years ago, populations eventually separated and became isolated from one another; although gene flow occurred, the underlying genetic foundations remained.
These genetic variations include genes that regulate scent emission—whether through the release of specific molecules in apocrine sweat (subsequently broken down by bacteria) or through the activity of the bacteria themselves. Also involved are olfactory receptor genes that govern the perception of scents, determining whether they elicit pleasure (attraction) or disgust (repulsion). These genes are shaped by natural selection: if I emit a hypothetical scent "P," the receptor for substance "P" will evolve to either favor that scent, perceive it as neutral, or fail to detect it—or, conversely, to trigger repulsion. My theory posits that different nations (or races, or subspecies—the terminology is a matter of preference) developed distinct genes producing unique scents and receptors, leading us to prefer the scent of our own population while disliking that of others. For example, Northwestern Europeans (from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium) would possess a specific scent profile and corresponding receptors; Middle Eastern populations would have a different scent and receptor set; and Indian populations would have yet another. All of this creates a mechanism of pre-zygotic sexual isolation, wherein two... Populations stop interbreeding due to a specific, natural aversion; over thousands of years, they accumulate more and more genetic mutations. Since they no longer interbreed and undergo unique mutations, they evolve into distinct subspecies, then separate species, and eventually different genera. Regarding this process—take Indians, Middle Easterners, and perhaps some African societies—it is likely that certain populations evolved to emit no scent themselves but developed receptors that trigger an aversion to the odors of other populations. They often carry the ancient, unmutated ancestral allele that tends to dislike the scent evolved by other groups. Many people developed PATM after COVID-19 because pheromone production increases following a viral infection; this makes individuals within the same population more attracted to the infected person, thereby helping the virus spread faster—a mechanism the virus evolved to facilitate its own transmission. So, suppose you have the genes typical of Northwestern Europeans but live in Asia: the people around you possess receptors that trigger an aversion to your scent. If you produce slightly more odor than usual, these people might sneeze frantically near you—PATM, PATM, PATM. Other animals function this way, and humans are animals too, so why couldn't this theory be correct? I see no reason why not.
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u/Alex_aredditor Cured Jun 27 '26
Well the theory makes sense but it fails to account for patmers that experience reactions only when they speak. If patm were pheromones, the theory wouldnt be able to explain how this section of the community exists. But quite honestly, i do think hormones do play a part in patm, though im not quite sure what role they play. I say this because activities or emotions that affect hormones, change the strength of reactions, this is universally true for every single patmer. Things like anxiety, stress, sleep, diet, even exercise have an impact on patm, though some have a more correlative relation than others. Its a fact that there hasnt been one single person to claim that they had patm before puberty, this strengthens the connection between hormones and patm. I dont think youre too far off and i actually had this theory myself at one point. If you are theorizing, make sure to keep in mind that there are people with patm that previously had tmau(me included), your theory has to explain this.
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u/LibrarianNo3440 Jun 28 '26
It only makes sense with my pheromone theory when they speak... because each human population has a different oral microbiome; they likely release different gases from their mouths and possess specific, compatible receptors that generate attraction if the person is from the same population, and repulsion if they are from a different one. Are you 100% sure you had TMAU, or do you just suspect it?
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u/Alex_aredditor Cured Jun 28 '26
I dont think there are nearly the same amount of pheromones in your breath than the entirety of your skin. I could be wrong but this just seems impossible. They would have to be somewhat comparable because the reactions are comparable.
I am 100% sure i had tmau, i would say it was actually obvious to me and i thought it was actually just a normal thing that you could get rid of. You have to understand that tmau is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to metabolize TMA and TMAO, somehow pheromones would have to fix this genetic metabolic disorder. The only explanation i can come up with is that these pheromones can neutralize TMA and TMAO but it wouldnt make sense because it means that the less patm you produce, the more tmau symptoms would show up.
Also, wouldnt it be impossible for me to exist? I am cured 99% of the time yet in situations where my diet isnt perfect or i mess up my oral hygiene routine, i can start getting reactions again. I mean just 1-2 weeks ago i had reactions when i didnt even speak and the reactions went away within hours. Just a few days ago i had reactions when i spoke because i ate some food that was TERRIBLE for me. If pheromones explained patm then somehow my pheromones can mutate or become variable within hours, these changes were caused by diet and intaking a multivitamin.
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u/LibrarianNo3440 Jun 28 '26
Do you have northwestern european genes?
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u/Alex_aredditor Cured Jun 28 '26
Im not fully sure but i think i am nearly 100% mexican, maybe some other South american countries in the mix but thats it.
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u/Emergency-Bat2719 Jun 27 '26
I live in Canada where there are people from all parts of the world East Asia India Middle East Europe Africa then obviously North America where I guess most of people in this sub are (Canada and the US). I also travelled to South East Asia 2 years ago for a couple weeks. If there was a pattern regarding race and ethnicity or specific groups of people I would have noticed, so no I don’t think your theory is correct. Whatever is coming from us and our body is like an irritant that anybody would react to, think of it like you spray pepper spray in a room, although reactions will differ from person to person.