"There are many stark differences between Athena's two pheromone cosmetics and other pheromone colognes or copycats on the market, usually sold at a cheaper price.

First, our formula is a trade secret; the copycats don't know it. Therefore, their claims of similar ingredients to Athena's pheromones are false. Secondly, I have been a research scientist for 30 years and identified human sex-attractant pheromones in the 1980's, publishing papers on my discoveries in scholarly journals after achieving peer review and acceptance.

The pheromone discovery my colleagues and I made in 1986 received major media coverage in NEWSWEEK, TIME, USA TODAY, and The Washington Post. Over the next seven years I created, tested, and marketed both Athena pheromone products through a rigorous scientific process. And we at Athena Institute, as well as independent researchers, continue to test the efficacy of Athena’s pheromones as sexual attractants using double-blind, placebo-controlled protocols.

Science's “gold standard” test of whether a product works is called a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Our two products have been tested in 3 such studies -- which were published in peer-reviewed, respected scientific journals and presented to professional societies. No other pheromone product, or any cosmetic, is tested this way.

Published research on Athena products include: an 8 week double-blind study of 38 heterosexual men using Athena Pheromone 10X^tm or placebo mixed into their aftershave. 74% of the men wearing Athena’s pheromones, compared to 26% of placebo users, recorded an increase in romantic attention from women. This study was published in the February 1998 issue of the peer-reviewed journal,ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, the lead article, pages 1-13.

Peer-reviewed journals evaluate the scientific merit of papers before accepting them for publication. In 2002, two independent studies demonstrated that Athena pheromones worked. The San Francisco State University study by Dr. Norma McCoy was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Physiology and Behavior ( March 02 issue Vol. 75), and concluded that Athena Pheromone 10:13tm worked for 74% of the women to increase their sexual attractiveness to men.

The Boston Study, led by Susan Rako, MD, showed positive results for postmenopausal women ages 47-75 and was presented at the Society for Behavioral Medicine in April 2002. The study showed women using Athena Pheromone 10:13^tm, compared to placebo, increased their sexual attractiveness and the romantic attention they received from men. This study was subsequently published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Journal of Sex Research in 2004.

Other pheromone products do not identify the scientist who developed their formula or conducted rigorous efficacy studies like ours. Most copycats will cite my studies to try to lend credibility to their products. Some claim they have done "T-shirt Sniff tests" or laboratory measurement tests. Those so-called tests pale in comparison to the real-life studies of our products over many weeks by men and women in actual social situations... and compared to men and women who are unknowingly ("blinded") adding just plain alcohol to their favorite fragrance. .

Athena Pheromone 10X^tm for men and Athena Pheromone 10:13^tm for women are also unique from other pheromone products in that they are odorless additives, the wearer does not have to change his or her favorite perfume or cologne - just add 10X or 10:13 to them.

Our research also substantiates that Athena’s pheromones evoke behavioral responses from the people in contact with the wearer (women respond to men wearing Athena 10X^tm, men respond to women wearing Athena 10:13^tm) rather than increasing the wearer's libido or making him 'feel good' like many other products claim. Since Athena sells its two pheromone products directly to consumers, without any middlemen, we exercise quality control over the marketing claims for it. For example, in our marketing we expressly disclaim that our pheromone cosmetic fragrance additives are 'aphrodisiacs'. Our marketplace feedback reflects the 74-75% effectiveness of Athena ‘s Pheromones that our research has proven. We are honest in our marketing claims and let consumers know these results.

As a scientist, I have also studied animal pheromone and human pheromone research by credentialled scholars who have demonstrated, in several studies, that pig pheromones have a repellent effect on humans. It is humorous, but again consumers should beware, that many pheromone products claim the pig pheromone, androstenol, as their active ingredient.

When I developed my pheromone products, I understood that pheromonal communication was essentially species specific. I created and bottled two synthesized formulas, or chemical copies, of the sex-attractant pheromone emitted by a sexually attractive man in his early thirties for Athena Pheromone10Xtm, and the sex-attractant pheromone emitted by a sexually attractive woman in her twenties for Athena Pheromone 10:13tm.

Finally, while many products are on the market, I would encourage people to be skeptical. Many copycats claim my research prove their products work. That is not true. Visit the websites of the copycat products; then visit our website and judge for yourself...

Our website lists the 6 published books I have authored with major publishers like Norton, Lippincott, Harper Collins, and Random House, and more than 35 scientific articles, so that anyone can check out our claims. I take my science and the mission of Athena Institute seriously. Thank you for your interest. "