‘Olfactophilia’ is the stinky fetish most Brits are secretly putting their noses to

If you like sniffing your partner’s slightly smelly armpits, you’re not alone (Picture: Getty/Metro) Before most of us go on a date, hopping in the shower and sticking on some deodorant is pretty much the bare minimum. But increasingly, some singles are actively trying to be a little bit stinky, as there’s a little-known fetish that involves being attracted to sweat. You’ve probably never heard of olfactophilia, but if you’ve ever found yourself enjoying the smell of your boyfriend’s dirty gym clothes, you’ve likely engaged in it – on some level, at least. According to Urban Dictionary, it’s defined as ‘sexual arousal caused by body odour,’ with the most common areas including the pubic area, under the boobs, armpits, and feet. Now, it’s worth mentioning that ‘pheromone maxxing’ is increasingly being adopted by the manosphere, touted as a bizarre technique to get as many dates as possible. The stinkier the better, apparently. Except this approach is missing one thing, and that’s that most people probably don’t actively enjoy the scent of someone who absolutely stinks, and has actively been avoiding the shower to build up a certain scent. Plus, the gender politics and general misogyny that comes with dating a man who aligns with such hateful ideology is another thing entirely. There is, however, science behind the idea that someone’s (light) sweat can be attractive. Ness Cooper, a clinical sexologist and therapist, says it’s all to do with pheromones (often known as love chemicals). Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. These are basically substances produced by the body that trigger a behavioural response and can inform how we attract and choose partners. She tells Metro: ‘Our scents are greatly linked to biome, which is how our sweat and the bacteria on our bodies smell to those around us, to help indicate immunity and fertility. ‘Scent also helps share pheromones. These aren’t scent-focused, but many of us associate them with scent. These can work as signals which helps turn others on. Some perfumes also have these in.’ Some scents can even trigger histamine responses, which can increase heart rate, as well as things like lubrication (saucy). And when we have particular stand-out memories of sex, whether good or not so memorable, they too can be coded in scent. @bbcsounds “The way that someone’s going to fall in love with you is the actual smell of your sweat.” Rylan speaks to Dr Tara Swart to discover whether there’s a science behind being in love. Rylan: How to Be in Love | Listen on BBC Sounds ♬ original sound – BBC Sounds ‘Memory is one of the most amazing things scents can help enhance. This is why in sex therapy, we try and have scent-neutral environments so as to not trigger certain erotic moments,’ Ness shares. However, there’s a difference between finding sweat attractive in an established partner, and in a new person you’re going on a date with for the first time. Ness says when a scent is new, it may seem exciting, which in turn can lower inhibition, because we want to connect with it. ‘Our bodies are curious. When we’re in a longer-term relationship, we may experience less of this, and want to feel comfort,’ she says. Over on the r/NoStupidQuestions Subreddit, @No_Fudge1228 admitted to being ‘this kind of weirdo.’ She wrote: ‘I’m a woman who has a thing for armpits, both male and female. ‘Just as long as they’re natural, clean, and have no deodorant or perfume.’ @carrott36 revealed they ‘love’ their man’s stinky armpits. ‘It satisfies me on an unexplainable level,’ they confessed, while @purplemonkey_123 described their husband’s smell as ‘grounding and calming.’ ‘Just tonight, I was feeling anxious. I walked up to him for a hug, and a couple [of] deep breaths to breathe him in,’ they said. ‘My whole body felt more relaxed.’ It’s not just olfactophilia Morning breath is often seen as something slightly embarrassing that needs fixing with a quick trip to the bathroom, but, in a similar way to olfactophilia, there are people out there who are turned on by the smell of their other half’s mouth first thing. Susie Masterson, a BACP-registered psychotherapist and relationship coach, previously told Metro that in sex psychology, the associations we might make between two things are incredibly important, and can end up influencing what we do and don’t like in the bedroom. She explained: ‘Our sensory experiences play a huge part in our associations of arousal, intimacy, bonding and connection. Think scented candles, massage oils, champagne and strawberries. ‘While breath is not considered a pheromone, our associations with it have a similar effect. Pheromones trigger a behavioural response; one of them is signalling that we are ready for sex.’ Annabelle Knight, Lovehoney’s sex and relationship expert, said that when we feel truly comfortable with someone, not only can we start to look past their odours, but we ‘begin to associate the smell with them in the morning, and therefore begin to nurture a positive response to it.’ So, it’s less about finding the general concept of morning breath attractive, and more about the attachment we form to a partner’s specific smell. Deals of the Day The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Now, if you’ve always enjoyed sniffing your spouse’s stinky armpits and felt slightly shamed for it, go forth and conquer with newfound confidence. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: I know he’s a chauvinist, but he does things to me in bed no one else has Arrow MORE: Helena Bonham Carter, 60, enjoys London stroll with art historian boyfriend, 38 Arrow MORE: I’m a multi-millionaire — these are the rules my wife and I follow for marriage success The Hook Up Metro's hottest newsletter, with juicy stories and tips for spicing things up in the bedroom. 18+