Research Says Scent of Pumpkin Pie Sexually Arouses Men

According to a research study from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, men are more sexually aroused by the scent of pumpkin pie mixed with lavender, than any other fancy perfume.

Lead researchers, Dr. Alan Hirsch and Dr. Jason Gruss tested 24 different scents on men aged 18 to 64 and recorded their penile blood flow. Black licorice and doughnut, was the next highest sexually arousing scent and only garnered 31.5 percent response; pumpkin pie and lavender scored 40%. Perfume Lily of the Valley and buttered popcorn were at the bottom of the list.

The research team theorized that pleasant "food" odors, which tend to positively heighten behaviors, would likely increase penile blood flow in men, as the scent triggers positive relaxing and nostalgic reaction, particularly of past sexual partners or of their favorite foods.

For older men, the response to vanilla was stronger compared to younger men.

The research team have also theorized that the food odor acts neurophysiologically in that direct pathway connects the olfactory bulb to the septal nucleus, which in turn induces blood flow and erection.