By GAIL ROSENBLUM
Monday, January 08, 2007
It's no secret that certain smells make us happy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that certain smells make men, in particular, really happy. They recruited 31 men, ages 18 to 64, to find out which smells most enhanced male sexual response. The winning aroma? A combination of lavender and pumpkin pie.
In second place: a black-licorice/doughnut combo.
On the other end, buttered popcorn only increased penile blood flow by 9 percent (but that could be because the guys were really trying to watch the movie). Cranberry got even less, with 2 percent.
The researchers say these smells may be tops because they trigger in men happy thoughts of sexual partners or favorite foods (not necessarily in that order). A similar study on women, aromas and sexual response is forthcoming. One bet for fave smell: clean house.

