The Aroma Of The Couple's Body Helps Relieve Stress, Really?

Illustration of a partner's aroma. (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The partner's body's aroma is said to help relieve stress. This is true, but not all the smell of the partner's body, but only referring to the aroma of a certain partner.

In a psychological study from the University of British Columbia (UBC), the smell of the couple's body in question is a harmonious and romantic scent. This study reveals that women feel calmer after being exposed to the aroma of their male partner.

The study findings show only the specifications of the partner's aroma. Without the couple's physical presence, this aroma can be a powerful tool to reduce stress.

"Many people wear their partner's clothes or sleep on the side of their partner's bed while their partner is away, but may not realize why they are doing that behavior," said study lead author Marlise Hofer, quoted from the UBC page, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In the study, the researchers recruited 96 couples of the opposite sex. Men are given a clean t-shirt for 24 hours, and are asked not to use deodorant and body care products that taste, smoke, or eat foods that can affect their body scents.

The t-shirt was then frozen to preserve the smell. Women are randomly asked to kiss the no-flavoured akos (not worn), the t-shirt their partner wears, and the t-shirt worn by foreigners.

Women also undergo stress tests that involve simulations of job interviews and mental mathematical tasks. They also answer questions related to stress levels, and provide saliva samples used to measure cortisol levels.

Through this study, it was found that a woman who kissed her partner's t-shirt felt calmer, both before and after the stress test. They kiss their partner's t-shirt and also know correctly lower levels of cortisol, showing the benefits of a partner's smell to reduce stress.

On the other hand, women who smell the aroma of foreigners have higher levels of cortisol during stress tests. The researchers speculate that evolutionary factors can affect why the aroma of foreigners affects the levels of cortisol.

"Since a young age, humans are afraid of foreigners, especially unknown men, so there is a possibility that an unknown male aroma triggers a counter-response. This causes an increase in cortisol, and can occur without being fully realized," he added.