# Bonus: Pheromones with commentary

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/normal-curves-sexy-science-serious-statistics-7212156/bonus-pheromones-with-commentary
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/normal-curves-sexy-science-serious-statistics-7212156/bonus-pheromones-with-commentary.md
Podcast: [Normal Curves: Sexy Science, Serious Statistics](https://stenobird.com/podcast/normal-curves-sexy-science-serious-statistics-7212156)
Published: 2026-01-26T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.normalcurves.com/bonus-pheromones-with-commentary/
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/media.transistor.fm/d7605037/15dac6bb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/normal-curves-sexy-science-serious-statistics-7212156/episodes/bonus-pheromones-with-commentary
Duration seconds: 3474

## Resource

While we’re on a short break between seasons, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes from Season 1. This week, we’re re-releasing our debut episode on pheromones and sexy sweat, with some added commentary up front.. Sweaty t-shirt dating parties, sex pheromone dating sites, choosing your dating partner by sniffing them up — wacko fringe fads or evidence-based mating strategies? And what does your armpit stain have to do with your kids’ immune systems, or hormonal contraceptive pills, or divorce rates? In this episode, we reach back into the 1990s and revisit the scientific paper that started it all: The Sweaty T-Shirt Study. They bring a sharp eye and open mind, critically examining the study and following the line of research to today. Along the way, they encounter interesting statistical topics – including correlated observations, within-person study design, and bar chart blasphemy – with a short, surprising detour into Neanderthal sex. Statistical topics Bar charts Correlated observations Cherry-picking Data and methodological transparency Multiple testing Post-hoc analyses Unit of observation / unit of anaysis Within-person study design Methodological morals “Repeat after me: Bar charts are not for numerical data.” “Those who ignore dependencies in their data are destined for flawed conclusions.” References Nuzzo, R. Ah, Love at first whiff . Los Angeles Times . May 19, 2008. Papamarko, S. Pheromone parties attempt to match singles by scent . Yahoo!life . April 12, 2012. Sainani, K. Stone Age Gene Swap . Stanford Magazine . November/December 2011. Aldhous, P. Darling, You Smell Wonderfully Different . New Scientist . 6 May 1995. Wedekind C, Seebeck T, Bettens F, Paepke AJ. MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans . Proc Biol Sci . 1995; 260(1359):245-249. d…

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## Transcript

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