59. Ooh What’s That Smell

Our natural scent preferences tend to draw us towards potential partners with significantly different DNA, suggesting an instinctual drive towards genetic diversity, which can enhance offspring viability. But interestingly, birth control pills can alter a woman’s scent preferences.

Since these contraceptives mimic pregnancy hormonally, they shift a woman’s olfactory attraction towards scents associated more with familiarity and nurture rather than genetic dissimilarity. This change reflects the body’s preparation for a baby, prioritizing the support of a family environment over seeking genetic diversity.