TikTok’s Latest Trend Has People Talking — But Scientists Say It Doesn’t Add Up

The platform TikTok has evolved beyond mere entertainment, becoming the ultimate, global hub for the rapid dissemination of all sorts of unusual social and wellness phenomena. Over time, countless dances, experiments, and, recently, unconventional bio-hacking trends have emerged—many of which have sparked intense public curiosity and, inevitably, raised the eyebrows of the scientific community. Lately, a novel and particularly intimate trend has gained viral popularity among women on the platform, known by the portmanteau term, “vabbing.” This practice involves women applying their natural vaginal secretions to areas of their body, much like a perfume, with the explicit claim that it serves as a powerful, biological attractant for sexual partners. However, while social media buzzes with anecdotes of success, the scientific establishment remains deeply skeptical about its effectiveness as a reliable method of human attraction.

I. Vabbing and Love: Fact, Fiction, or Pheromonal Placebo?

The search for an infallible method to attract a partner is an ancient human pursuit. For centuries, people have created countless concoctions aimed at helping women find a partner, from mythical love potions and aphrodisiacs to carefully prepared homemade meals. Yet, this new TikTok trend, centered around the practice of “vabbing,” has captured the modern imagination by suggesting that the most powerful attractant is already self-contained. The practice is simple: “vabbing” involves using vaginal secretions—specifically from the inner folds of the vulva or the cervix—and applying them to pulse points, such as the wrists or neck, similar to how one applies a pheromonal oil or commercial fragrance. Many practitioners swear it helps them attract sexual partners, leading to successful dates, free drinks, or one-night stands.

The Anecdotal Evidence and Expert Support

The concept gained significant traction due to high-profile advocates like Shan Boodram, a renowned sexologist and author of The Game of Desire. Boodram explains the theoretical concept of vabbing based on her expertise, going so far as to claim she has practiced vabbing for 15 years and credits it with helping her find various partners.

Copulins and Attraction: According to Boodram, the secretions contain chemicals called copulins, which are fatty acid compounds secreted by the vagina, particularly around ovulation. She hypothesizes that “If copulins are used as perfume, then it will attract anyone traditionally attracted to women with vulvas.”
The Psychological Effect: Beyond the biochemistry, Boodram stresses the psychological impact on the user: “Every single time I use it, I feel like an enchanted goddess with a delicious secret.” This powerful self-perception of being alluring is a significant factor in confidence and subsequent social success.

The trend exploded following a video posted by a woman named Mandy Lee, which quickly gained over 1 million views. Lee confidently claimed, “I swear if you vab, you will attract people — whether it’s a date, a one-night stand, or just free drinks all night.” This sentiment was echoed by many longtime vabbing practitioners, sharing positive, anecdotal experiences that reinforced the technique’s perceived effectiveness.

II. Separating Myth from Reality: The Pheromone Debate

The claims surrounding vabbing are rooted in the well-documented science of pheromones, chemical signals that influence behavior, but their efficacy in humans remains highly contentious.

The Role of Pheromones in the Animal Kingdom

It has long been known that pheromones play an undeniable, significant role in how animals communicate, often driving primal behaviors like mating, marking territory, or signaling danger. For instance, a mother rabbit’s specific pheromones help her newborn babies quickly locate her nipples to nurse. Dr. Alexandra James and Dr. Andrea Wahling from La Trobe University explain how pheromones function in the animal kingdom, noting that while some scientists support the application of the concept to humans, others remain highly skeptical.

Behavioral Triggers: In the animal kingdom, different pheromones trigger specific, predictable behavioral responses, operating largely outside of conscious control. Vaginal secretions, which contain complex organic compounds and traces of hormones, theoretically contain pheromones that can convey various information about a person, including aspects of their genetic makeup, which is vital for assessing reproductive fitness.

The Human Pheromone Problem

While the presence of pheromones in human secretions is undisputed, research remains fiercely divided on whether they have a significant, deterministic impact on sexual and romantic compatibility in humans.

The Vomeronasal Organ (VNO): Humans possess the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which is used to detect pheromones in other animals. However, in most adult humans, this organ is largely vestigial, meaning it is underdeveloped or non-functional. Unlike animals, humans rely overwhelmingly on sight, auditory cues, and higher-level cognitive processing for attraction and mate selection.
Cognitive Override: Most scientific skepticism centers on the idea of cognitive override. While a subtle chemical signal might be present, it is instantly overridden by conscious factors like appearance, social status, conversational rapport, and personal preference. The subtle scent of copulins is often masked by body odor, commercial perfumes, or environmental smells.
The Placebo Effect: The most likely explanation for the high rate of success reported on TikTok is the placebo effect—specifically, the significant increase in the user’s self-confidence. As Boodram noted, feeling like an “enchanted goddess” causes the individual to exhibit more open, confident body language, smile more frequently, and initiate social contact more assertively. These confident behaviors are the genuine attractants, not the secretions themselves.

III. What to Avoid When Trying Vabbing: Hygiene and Health Risks

If an individual is considering trying vabbing, the primary consideration must shift from efficacy to hygiene and safety, as the practice introduces several potential health risks.

The Crucial Importance of Hygiene

Dr. Dimitriadi from the Centre for Surgery confirms that vabbing itself isn’t inherently unhealthy in theory, but the method of collection and application makes hygiene absolutely crucial. The process involves transferring bacteria from the vagina to the hands and then to areas like the neck or wrists, which are prone to sweating and heat.

Damage and Infection: Dr. Dimitriadi issues a strict warning: using dirty or insufficiently washed fingers to collect vaginal discharge can not only potentially damage the delicate vaginal tissue through abrasion but also dramatically increase the risk of spreading harmful bacteria. This can lead to localized skin infections or, more seriously, internal gynecological conditions.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): The transfer of pathogens from the perineal area to the vagina using dirty hands can potentially lead to serious internal conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can have long-term consequences for reproductive health.
Common Infections: Dirty fingers may also cause common, irritating infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or thrush (yeast infection) by disrupting the vagina’s natural, delicate pH and bacterial flora (Lactobacilli).

The Odor Paradox: Attracting the Wrong Kind of Attention

Dr. Dimitriadi adds a key practical note regarding the intended outcome: if a person already has a pre-existing infection like bacterial vaginosis or thrush, their discharge might have an unpleasant or unusually strong odor due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria.

Counterproductive Effect: Using this infected discharge could actually have the opposite effect of attracting a partner, leading to social embarrassment or further self-consciousness, directly counteracting the confidence boost that fuels the placebo effect. Any unusual odor, color, or consistency in discharge should be investigated by a medical professional, not used as a fragrance.

IV. Conclusion: Prioritizing Confidence Over Copulins

While the concept of using one’s own natural biochemistry to attract desire is alluring, the scientific evidence for vabbing’s effectiveness as a pheromonal attractant in humans is weak, overshadowed by the power of psychology. The true effectiveness reported by TikTok users is almost certainly due to an increase in self-confidence, assertiveness, and perceived allure, which are the genuine non-verbal attractants in human social interaction.

Any individual choosing to experiment with vabbing must prioritize hygiene and self-awareness above all else. Proper handwashing before and after, avoidance of the practice if any signs of infection (unusual odor, itching, or colored discharge) are present, and a commitment to not damaging delicate tissues are essential precautions. Ultimately, while the chemical compounds may be present, the most powerful “perfume” is the confident aura projected by a person who feels like an “enchanted goddess,” regardless of what is applied to their pulse points.