TikTok has given us plenty of wild trends, but vabbing might just top the list. The viral trend claims that dabbing vaginal secretions on your pulse points makes you irresistible to the opposite sex, and influencers swear by it.
But before you reach for your secret fragrance – a practice called “revolting” by some – let’s see what actual science has to say.
Spoiler alert: Scientists say it makes no sense.
Vabbing – a mashup of vagina and dabbing – involves dabbing vaginal fluids onto pulse points like the wrists, neck, and behind the ears, just like perfume.
The idea is that these secretions contain pheromones, invisible chemical signals that supposedly enhances attraction.
The trend exploded when influencer Mandy Lee claimed in a viral TikTok that 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 said, as per Daily Mail.
She said: “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.
“I don’t know what they’re putting in pheromone perfume but it can’t replicate your own smell and your own personalised chemicals. Proceed with caution — because it works.”
That video racked up over 1.5 million views before it was deleted by the platform, and suddenly, vabbing was the internet’s newest obsession, with new clips popping up, praising the trend that some users insist makes them more desirable.
“You guys aren’t going to believe me,” says TikToker @jewlieah in a clip captioned “Vabbing at the gym for the first time.” “…it worked, the vabbing worked!”
@jewlieah ♬ original sound – jewlieah
Meanwhile on X, a user who goes by the name pick me, writes: “I want everyone to know that vabbing works. Not a joke.”
But before you jump on the trend, let’s dig into what actual science says about pheromones, and whether vabbing is just another case of TikTok wishful thinking.
Humans and pheromones
The logic behind vabbing is simple: If animals use pheromones to attract mates, humans must too, right?
Pheromones are well-documented in animals. Many species use them for marking territory, signaling danger, or attracting mates. For example, a female moth can release pheromones that draw males from miles away.
But humans aren’t so lucky.
According to a study on “body odors” and sexual attraction, “pheromones play an important role in how animals communicate with each other,” but “research is divided as to whether pheromones play a significant role in sexual and romantic compatibility for humans.”
Speaking with Cosmopolitan, sex expert Edwina Caito agrees. She explains the idea that human pheromones influence attraction is questionable at best.
“Humans do secrete sex pheromones, but the jury is still out on whether or not they still create a reaction as they once did…although our vaginal secretions do have a small amount of pheromones, it’s not enough to brew up a pheromone perfume” Caito adds.
Professor Erick Janssen, a neuroscientist at KU Leven in Belgium told EuroNews that in animals, pheromones “impact sexual and reproductive behaviour, and possibly partner preference and selection.”
But, for humans, he “seriously questions the validity of the claims involved” in the viral trend that he calls a “fad” or “vad.”
“Pheromones are not things we consciously smell,” Janssen said.
So, while vabbing might sound convincing, it’s unlikely to be the pheromone powerhouse TikTok claims.
Placebo effect
However, the placebo effect could be at play – people might feel more confident when they vab, which makes them naturally more attractive.
“If the act of vabbing makes you feel more attractive, that will be perceived as outward confidence, which in and of itself is beautiful,” Caito shares.
Risks with vabbing
If you still insist on vabbing, make sure you’re aware of the risks.
Hygiene matters
Before you vab, wash your hands. Inserting dirty fingers into the vagina increases the risk of introducing bacteria, which can lead to infections, or even infertility, warns Dr Paraskevi Dimitriadi, a gynaecologist in London.
@_simphiwe96 #phiwe96 ♬ 23 (J's On My Feet) – Mike WiLL x Miley Cyrus x Wiz Khalifa x Juicy J – gr4veyardg1rl
“If you use dirty fingers inside your vagina to collect discharge you can not only potentially traumatise the tissue in your vagina and but also spread infection, potentially causing something as serious as a pelvic inflammatory disease,” Dimitriadi told the Daily Mail.
“Dirty fingers could also cause bacterial vaginosis or thrush,” she adds, explaining the discharge from either can be unpleasant “and will not help you attract a partner.”
You might be spreading a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Vabbing isn’t just about putting fluids on your own body – it’s about where those fluids go afterward.
“Vabbing isn’t the best idea of you have an STI as those that can spread from skin-to-skin contact as well as via bodily fluids can be passed,” explains Caito. “Dabbing your essence behind your ear and your partner later gives you a full kiss, lick, and lobe suck – there’s a remote possibility they could contract bacteria or a virus.”
Social etiquette gray area
Let’s be real – most people won’t be thrilled to learn that someone is using vaginal fluid as perfume, and some online users are horrified by the practice.
“Ok I’m done with the internet!!!! You women who are into vabbing are rotten,” tweets one disgusted user.
“I’m honestly so revolted,” shares another on TikTok, while a third writes, “I’m not touching a single person anymore.”
So, what do you think? Would you ever try vabbing, or is this one TikTok trend you’re happy to skip? Please let us know your thoughts and then share this story so we can hear from others!