Doctor warns against extreme 'pheremone maxxing' trend Gen Z men are using to attract women

‘Pheromone maxxers’ are claiming that your stank might secretly be your superpower.

A previous study from 2001 suggested that a chemical associated with the opposite sex triggers a different hypothalamic response.

While the experiment only demonstrated brain activation, the internet said: “Excellent. I shall stop showering.”

More extreme versions of the trend includes drinking your own urine, based on the claim that it preserves or boosts hormones/pheromones and therefore makes you more attractive.

Dr Zachary Rubin has rubbished 'pheromone maxxing', saying in a recent TikTok video (@rubin_allergy) that there is ‘no scientific basis for this’.

“If you're trying to pheromone max in 2026 by not changing your clothes or bathing for several days to create some type of scent that will attract women, and potentially even drinking your own urine, I'm sorry to say this, but there's no scientific basis for this and in fact will likely repel women from you,” the double board-certified pediatrician told his 2.3 million followers.

“And as a physician who is happily married, I'm going to give you some advice that is much more likely to be helpful. In order to have the confidence to talk to women, you first have to take care of yourself.

“That includes exercising regularly, sleeping well, maintaining good hygiene, yes, showering on a regular basis, having clothes that fit, and having hobbies that you really enjoy that will help build a life for you that you can enjoy, and be proud of to be happy, and that will cause you to build out social circles and friendships, which can open the doors to meeting women that you may want to date.”

The allergist said that ‘if there are women that you want to talk to, you need to treat them like people, not puzzle pieces you're trying to solve’.

Dr Rubin suggests to ‘lead with kindness, respect, curiosity, listening well, and showing that you are interested in what they have to say’.

“And from time to time, rejection will happen. Attraction is not owed to you. You can't force it or manufacture it. I've been rejected many times in the past, and yes, it can sting, but you have to move on and accept rejection gracefully,” he added.

“Otherwise, you will have a lot of problems on your hands. And if it's not working out, take a break. Focus on yourself and move on when you are ready, and that's okay.”

When it comes to the core belief of pheromone maxxers, Dr Rubin says: “You don't need to optimize your pheromones, and there's no quick, easy fix to this.

“But if you are able to take care of yourself, maintain good hygiene, maintaining good friendships, treating people with kindness and respect, and accepting 'no' for an answer, then you are much more likely to lead a happier and healthier life.”