TikTok has introduced us to plenty of bizarre trends, but vabbing might just take the crown as the most controversial. This viral practice suggests that dabbing vaginal secretions onto pulse points—such as the wrists, neck, and behind the ears—acts as a natural pheromone-based perfume, making you more attractive to potential partners. Some influencers swear by it, claiming it boosts their dating success.
Before you consider trying it, though, let’s take a closer look at what actual science has to say. Spoiler alert: experts argue that the trend doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
What Is Vabbing?
Vabbing—a term derived from combining “vagina” and “dabbing”—involves applying vaginal fluids to pulse points in the belief that they contain pheromones, which are chemical signals said to trigger attraction.
The trend took off after influencer Mandy Lee posted a now-deleted TikTok video that gained over 1.5 million views. In the clip, she claimed vabbing was the secret to getting more dates:
“I swear if you vab, you will attract people, like a date or a one-night stand,” she stated, according to The Daily Mail.
She went on to describe how to do it:
“Get up there, give ’em a swipe. You don’t have to be fresh out of the shower clean but relatively clean. Dab vab behind the ears, on the wrists, maybe a little on the neck.”
She added: “I don’t know what they’re putting in pheromone perfume, but it can’t replicate your own smell and your own personalized chemicals. Proceed with caution—because it works.”
After her post went viral, countless TikTokers began sharing their own experiences, claiming vabbing increased their attractiveness. One user, @jewlieah, posted a video titled “Vabbing at the gym for the first time,” in which she excitedly claimed, “You guys aren’t going to believe me… it worked, the vabbing worked!”
Meanwhile, on X (formerly Twitter), a user going by the name “pick me” wrote: “I want everyone to know that vabbing works. Not a joke.”
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♬ original sound – jewlieah
While these testimonials make vabbing sound like a dating hack, let’s turn to science to see if there’s any real basis for the claims.
Do Humans Respond to Pheromones?
The logic behind vabbing is straightforward: if animals use pheromones to attract mates, then humans must as well, right?
Pheromones are well-documented in the animal kingdom. Many species rely on them for signaling danger, marking territory, and attracting mates. For instance, female moths release pheromones that can draw males from miles away.
However, humans don’t appear to function the same way.
A study on “body odors” and sexual attraction states that while pheromones play a key role in animal communication, research is divided on whether they significantly impact human romantic or sexual compatibility.
Sex expert Edwina Caito, speaking with Cosmopolitan, supports this view. She explains that the idea of human pheromones influencing attraction is highly debatable:
“Humans do secrete sex pheromones, but the jury is still out on whether or not they create a reaction as they once did. Although our vaginal secretions contain a small amount of pheromones, it’s not enough to brew up a pheromone perfume,” Caito says.
Neuroscientist Professor Erick Janssen from KU Leuven in Belgium echoes this skepticism. Speaking with EuroNews, he explains that in animals, pheromones play a clear role in influencing sexual and reproductive behavior. However, he questions the validity of vabbing, calling it a “fad” rather than a scientifically backed phenomenon.
“Pheromones are not things we consciously smell,” Janssen explains.
So while vabbing may sound convincing, it’s unlikely to be the pheromone powerhouse that TikTok suggests.
The Placebo Effect: Why Vabbing Might Feel Like It Works
Even if science doesn’t support vabbing as a legitimate attraction booster, the placebo effect might explain why some people believe it works.
The placebo effect is a psychological phenomenon in which people experience a perceived improvement simply because they expect to. In this case, individuals who vab may feel more confident, which in turn makes them appear more attractive.
“If the act of vabbing makes you feel more attractive, that confidence will be perceived by others as outward charisma, which in itself is appealing,” Caito points out.
Essentially, vabbing might not be about pheromones at all—it may just be about self-assurance.
The Risks of Vabbing
If you’re still curious about vabbing, it’s important to consider the potential risks before trying it out.
Hygiene Concerns
Vabbing involves inserting fingers into the vagina to collect secretions. If proper hygiene isn’t maintained, this can introduce harmful bacteria into the vaginal canal, increasing the risk of infections.
Dr. Paraskevi Dimitriadi, a gynecologist in London, warns that using unclean hands for vabbing can lead to serious health issues:
“If you use dirty fingers inside your vagina to collect discharge, you risk traumatizing the vaginal tissue and spreading infection, potentially causing conditions as serious as pelvic inflammatory disease,” Dimitriadi tells The Daily Mail.
She also warns that unclean hands can lead to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections, both of which produce unpleasant odors—defeating the entire purpose of vabbing.
Risk of Spreading Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Beyond hygiene, there’s another concern: vabbing could inadvertently spread STIs.
“Vabbing isn’t the best idea if you have an STI, as infections that spread via skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluids can be transmitted this way,” explains Caito. “If you vab behind your ears and a partner later kisses, licks, or sucks your earlobe, there’s a small possibility they could contract bacteria or a virus.”
Social Acceptability
Let’s be real—most people probably don’t want to hear that someone is wearing vaginal fluids as perfume. While some TikTokers swear by it, others are outright horrified.
One disgusted X user tweeted: “Ok, I’m done with the internet!!!! You women who are into vabbing are rotten.”
On TikTok, reactions were equally divided, with one user saying, “I’m honestly so revolted,” and another writing, “I’m not touching a single person anymore.”
Given the controversy, vabbing sits in a social etiquette gray area—some find it empowering, while others see it as unhygienic or inappropriate.
Final Thoughts: Is Vabbing Worth It?
At the end of the day, vabbing is more of a social media trend than a scientifically backed method for attraction. While some swear by it, the reality is that human pheromones don’t have the same effect as those in the animal kingdom. If anything, vabbing might boost confidence rather than chemically influence potential partners.
That said, if you do decide to try vabbing, be mindful of hygiene, the potential for spreading infections, and how those around you might react.
What are your thoughts? Would you ever consider vabbing, or is this one TikTok trend you’re happy to pass on? Share your opinion, and let’s see where people stand on this viral sensation!
