DADADEL
TikTok has become a hotspot for bizarre trends, where people try everything from dance routines to unusual experiments. One recent trend gaining popularity among women on the platform is called “vabbing.” This practice involves using vaginal secretions as a form of perfume, with claims it boosts sexual attraction. However, scientists aren’t convinced this method actually works.
Historically, countless concoctions and practices have promised to help women attract romantic partners. From love potions to charming home-cooked meals, the quest for attraction is age-old. But the TikTok trend of “vabbing” takes things to another level. Here, women apply their own vaginal secretions like perfume, claiming it enhances their appeal and draws potential partners.
Sexologist Shan Boodram explores the concept of vabbing in her book The Game of Desire. Boodram, who says she’s been vabbing for 15 years, asserts its effectiveness in attracting others. She explains, “If copulins [chemicals secreted by the vagina] are used as perfume, then they attract those drawn to women with vulvas.” According to Boodram, vabbing makes her feel empowered, describing the sensation as feeling like “an enchanted goddess with a delicious secret.”
The trend gained more traction when TikTok user Mandy Lee posted a video sharing her experiences. Her video quickly amassed over a million views. “I swear, if you vab, you’ll attract people, like dates, or even get free drinks all night,” she claimed. Other users, like @jewlieah, backed up Mandy’s claims, sharing stories of how vabbing led to romantic successes for a week.
@jewlieah♬ original sound – jewlieah
Pheromones are widely recognized in the animal kingdom as powerful chemical signals. For instance, baby rabbits rely on their mother’s pheromones to find her nipples. Dr. Alexandra James and Dr. Andrea Wahling of La Trobe University explained that while some scientists support the idea of pheromones influencing attraction, others are skeptical, especially when it comes to humans.
“Vaginal fluids contain pheromones that might convey information about a person’s genetic makeup,” they explained. Although pheromones are crucial for communication in many animals, the jury is still out on their role in human sexual and romantic attraction. Research remains inconclusive on whether pheromones significantly impact human compatibility.
For those curious about trying vabbing, there are health considerations to keep in mind. Dr. Dimitriadi from the Centre for Surgery stresses that while vabbing isn’t inherently unhealthy, hygiene is critical. “Using unclean fingers inside the vagina could not only injure vaginal tissue,” she cautioned, “but also introduce infections, possibly leading to pelvic inflammatory disease or bacterial vaginosis.” Furthermore, Dr. Dimitriadi added that if someone has an existing infection, the discharge may have an unpleasant odor, which would counter any intention to attract partners.
