From CF

Dear Lorraine,

I have recently noticed your footnote comments on why some persons are really attracted by mackintosh, others not, and you feel it may arise from some scent, perhaps a pheromone not noticed consciously.

Latex is of plant origin and many plants secrete pleasant odours which bring back powerful memories from childhood, like roses or lilies.

Also, an article recently in The Times mentioned that the writer (female) remembered her PVC mac from her childhood aged about 3 whenever she smelled a certain type of PVC today, years later. Smell seems to be the major trigger.

As a scientist, I am sure this is the case. The attraction from the smell of rubber may be strong enough to set up a sort of pleasant, satisfying near-addictive response, similar to nicotine or alcohol. What do you think? Keep up the good work!

C

Dear C

I was thrilled to get your note about smell! Thank you so much.

The thing is, I keep saying it must be smell, but nobody takes the least bit of notice! And I'm sure there's something in it. I talk to quite a few people visiting the site and if rubber or rubberised materials are their thing they always say how important smell is.

I've looked at some diagrams of key substances in rubber but haven't managed to get hold of human sex scent molecules yet.

 

But of course it may not be that simple. There could be much more complicated relationships involved, I realize.

I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm peculiar, but women generally say they are actively repelled by the smell of rubberised materials. Do you think this is connected? Are they hating it for the very same reason that the addicts like it? Is it the smell of somebody else??

Anyway, many thanks for writing. It helps a lot.

Best wishes

Lorraine

From C

Dear Lorraine,

Many thanks for your letter. This is of great interest to me as one with an interest in rubber. Most women seem, as you so correctly say, to have an active disinterest to the point of repulsion-strange isn't it?

It may be that like certain natural body odours the smell may be slightly repulsive to some but very exciting to others, or even sensed subconsciously by either sex.

I believe also that so-called "love at first sight" is connected by each involved person subconsciously scenting some emitted human sex attractant (pheromone) from the other which triggers the primitive parts of the brain in a similar way to a pleasant odour or sensation and is very difficult to resist.

Many women like to smother their own personal body odour, which when clean is in itself pleasant to most men, with perfume and literally wash all their natural odours off.

Thanks to Goodyear "There is probably no other inert substance which so excites the mind." Charles Goodyear, 1834

From Sealsmooth

Dear Lorraine

I'm intrigued by your point about a connection between the scent of rubber and its impact - the pervasive smell certainly attracts some people. I wonder if rubber emits pheromone, as this may explain its impact? If it does its scent will be picked up by nasal receptors which bypass higher brain function and connect with basic instinct. You may have seen a late-night programme about Amsterdam some while ago which included a tour of shops selling rubberwear among other things? The female presenter drew specific attention to the feel and more importantly, the 'wonderful smell' of the rubberwear, to the extent she bent down to inhale the scent of rubber and in doing so, she smiled broadly and her eyes closed momentarily! I think your link is proved?

No, afraid I missed it. I don't know enough about pheromone to know if the molecule shape has any structural echoes with anything in rubber - I think that is what we need to look for? (Don't really know, but isn't a smell triggered by the shape of an incoming molecule?)

If a structural likeness were there I guess there would be a new problem, not why rubber-lovers liked rubber but why some people - actually I think quite a large number! - don't!

So I think there has to be two bits to a solution: what smell chemicals are given off by rubber, and what is it that makes some people so specially receptive to them... I suppose this could be genetic, or learning, or both.

I wonder why the smell attracts some and not others? Do you find that sight, smell and touch are dominant senses for you? For me, even a simple pair of rubber gloves can be highly stimulating. I gain great pleasure from holding the rubber close to my face, inhaling the smell while enjoying the silky smooth feel as the gloves gleam in the light (...this is too much!) Perhaps those over whom rubber has mastery are easily stimulated by their senses? What do you think?

I find it hard to rank the importance of the different sense, now you ask me to! (Haven't tried to do it before.) The sound of mackintosh is important though - what they call 'susurrus' And I think it is for others. Maybe that is a difference between latex lovers and those who prefer mackintosh? The sound of latex is much less prominent in the experience? I think what you say implies that most people would be stimulated a bit by rubber but not to any great extent. I'm not sure this is so (it may be). A common reaction though is to register some positive dislike of rubber and its smell - not anything mildly positive. I think this means the same number is being pushed actually, only some people somehow attach a negative sign to it and some people a positive. Is there any parallel with horror movies, do you think - some love them, some hate them, some like and hate at once - but no one is neutral towards them. They pack some kind of charge for us all.

I don't fully understand the psychology of rubber and why it has such an absolute hold on some people. I think you're right about the role a uniform plays in creating control. Those forced to wear it are subject to the control of another - I can think of few, if any, uniforms that are worn by preference - even when game playing!

Not sure about this. I think the uniform plays a big part in attracting people into the armed services, for example. (I remember a boy at school explaining that his reason for wanting to join the army was that you didn't have to wear the uniform all the time.) And nurses?

Those observing the wearers are either, in control of them (here we go again!), or the sight of it imputes certain characteristics (I would say that). Do you think this master/subordinate relationship is true of many rubber lovers, I think it may be in either of two ways. Firstly, within oneself, for me being encased in a hooded, rubber catsuit is giving in to a demand from one part of me at the expense of the other. Secondly, between me and my partner in a range of ways. Does this hold true for you?

I've not much to go on here, except fantasy. But then it does seem to increase my control over others if this extends to making them wear what I decree - and I always decree that they should be in uniform - they always have to wear a trenchmac, actually (how boring for them!), and always have to stand to attention. It wouldn't be the same if they were wearing, say, a tired skirt and a jumper, even if I made them wear them. I often think of being made to wear one of my macs as a uniform, and that has terrific charge too, but I think this has mostly to do with having to do what I am told.

I smiled at your puzzlement over thick and thin rubberwear - I too share this diverse interest. On the one hand, I sometimes prefer a thicker, tight-fitting catsuit when I'm feeling energetic - probably 'masterful' as well perhaps? Wearing it does make me feel more 'pumped up'. On the other hand, when I'm feeling drained, wearing thinner, loose-fitting rubberwear really helps me to relax as the tension steadily ebbs away.

Interesting - I don't think I have anything parallel though. Different rubberised materials have the same effect on me even though they are so different in texture, looks and drape. (Only an element of smell in common?)

I'm really interested to know what drives people who love rubberwear - that's why I found the survey on your website so interesting. After years of feeling 'different' my partner helped me realize that there's as many interests as there are people, but because she's not a rubber lover she's not well equipped to help me understand it.

You are so lucky you have someone who understands even though they don't understand!

Society seems to have pigeon-holed rubber as being the province of one specific activity and fair enough it is, but from what you say I think that its role for many is a lifestyle perhaps - is this fair or going too far?

Just don't know! But I myself am worried that too much familiarity could breed indifference...

Also, I wonder if the range of activities and use for which rubberwear is put is more varied than is generally understood? For instance, our interests in rubber are different but complementary. I certain feel that I could live my life completely in rubber, however, this would be wholly impractical and I suspect not so satisfying in the long run!

Yes!

Thank you again

Best wishes


Lorraine

Sealsmooth

Lorraine,

Apologies for the long absence, but I've found a short film that LWT banned from broadcasting around 25 years ago. The film is entitled 'Dressing for Pleasure' and the accompanying blurb mentions your website too. What's even better is the original film is available for viewing direct from the site. The film is divided into 5 sections and is worth watching, even though a modem link doesn't't delivery high picture quality. The sounds of dressing and moving in rubber are matchless however.

I'm glad the scent thread is still running, I'm convinced we're getting closer to understanding a key fact.

The other issue that also seems key is the smooth but very tactile surface that rubber provides - especially when worn from head to toe!

The link is here.

Thanks and best wishes.

Sealsmooth

Dear Sealsmooth

 

What a great find! Fantastic. Thanks v. much.

 

LE