A woman in her 30s recently revealed she’s hooked on vabbing—a viral dating hack that involves using vaginal secretions as a “love potion”—and swears it’s her secret weapon for attracting men, even though she’s never been in a romantic relationship.
Vabbing—a term blending “vagina” and “dabbing”—involves applying vaginal fluids to pulse points like the wrists, neck, or behind the ears. Proponents claim these natural secretions contain pheromones capable of increasing attraction. While it might sound shocking, the practice has existed for years, though the name was popularized by sexologist Shan Boodram. In her 2019 book The Game of Desire, Boodram wrote that using this method makes her feel “like an enchanted goddess with a delicious secret,” particularly around ovulation, when confidence gets a natural boost.
The trend exploded on TikTok, thanks to influencers like Mandy Lee, who boasted: “I swear if you vab, you’ll attract people—a date, a one-night stand, or even free drinks!” Her video quickly went viral before being deleted, inspiring countless copycats to share their own “success stories,” from gyms to clubs.
But can vabbing actually work?
The science is murky. Pheromones are chemicals animals use to signal danger, mark territory, or attract mates. Female moths, for example, can draw males from miles away. Humans, however, are a different story. Studies on sexual attraction and body odor show limited evidence that pheromones influence human romance. Sexual wellness expert Edwina Caito confirmed to Cosmopolitan that while humans do secrete pheromones, there’s no proof they can create a “pheromone perfume” capable of attracting partners. Neuroscientist Erick Janssen even called vabbing a “fad” and questioned its validity, pointing out that humans don’t consciously smell pheromones.
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