Pheromones and Scenting

Almost everyone in the omegaverse gives off a unique 'scent'. Scents are not actually odours, but rather pheromones that are released by 'scent glands' in the inner wrists, inner thighs, and both sides of the neck. They are detected by the vomeronasal organ, which is located between the nasal cavity and the mouth, and opens into the nasal cavity.

People are hardwired to need a certain amount of pheromones to stay stable, with omegas particularly susceptible to pheromonal imbalances. Pheromones are detected from the air, but are often sharing by 'scenting', which involves rubbing a scent gland onto the skin of another person, often directly over THEIR scent gland.

Scent glands constantly give off a small amount of pheromones, though some people can train themselves to mostly hold them closed for varying amounts of time. The pressure will build up if held, and inflamed/infected glands can develop. Heightened emotions lead to stronger, not more, pheromones being released, despite popular perception. These stronger pheromones are also more likely to irritate glands if held.

Glands can be covered by ‘scent blockers’, patches that will filter the released pheromones and capture certain types. Patches almost never block ALL pheromones, for a variety of reasons. It would be quite expensive and bulky to have filters for ALL the possible pheromones a human might release, and different people have different pheromone cocktails. Also, a scentless person is usually disturbing to others, and it’s attention catching to have the pheromones in the air blocked by something with no scent. Most common patches are designed to filter pheromones associated with arousal (including heat/rut), anger, and distress. Specialty patches that block other emotional cocktails, and medical patches for abnormal pheromone production disorders, are also available. There are also medications designed for people who overproduce pheromones.