History Main / LivingAphrodisiac

'''May:''' Only men? Her powers don’t work on women?\\
'''Sif:''' No. Men have an inherent weakness we do not share… The mere sound of her voice can ensnare most. For the rare man who can resist, it’s her voice joined by her touch that will overpower his will.

Examples of this trope only targeting cis-straight people of the opposite sex can lead to FridgeLogic over whether or not someone with these powers could affect gay, bisexual, asexual, or transgender individuals. Would a queer woman be just as susceptible to ComicBook/PoisonIvy as a man? Could a gay or asexual man laugh off her pheromones and knock her flat? Etc. This is more likely to be addressed in stories from the 2000's and later.

* {{Deconstructed|Trope}} in one of the files of the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-0166 the Teenage Succubus]], which shows what happens when a person both doesn't want such powers and can't get rid of them. Turns out, being a walking supernatural sex bomb turns little things like her "consent" or "well-being" into a non-issue. Her powers are so strong that any guy that even ''sees'' the succubus loses all mental control and tries to force themselves on her on the spot. Considering [[AntiAntiChrist she's training to be a]] ''nun'', she isn't exactly fond of all this horrible attention, and her containment procedures state that under ''no circumstances'' are male guards allowed into her containment complex.

Examples of this trope only targeting cis-straight people of the opposite sex can lead to FridgeLogic over whether or not someone with these powers could affect gay, bisexual, asexual, or transgender individuals. Would a queer woman be just as susceptible to ComicBook/PoisonIvy as a man? Could a gay or asexual man laugh off her pheromones and knock her flat? Etc.

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[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/TheBatmanAdventures https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/living_aphrodisiac_poison_ivy_2.jpg]]]]

* ComicBook/TheMightyThor villain [[ComicBook/TheEnchantress Amora the Enchantress]] uses her magic primarily for seducing and manipulating males.

* In ''The Rapture'', ComicBook/LadyDeath is beset by two agents, one representing Hell and the other representing Heaven, who seek to sway her to their respective sides. While the Hell representative, Demonatrix, tries to use brute force to make Lady Death join the forces of Hell, the Heavenly agent, Aquiessence, instead tries to use her natural beauty and [[SmellsSexy intoxicating scent]] to seduce the death goddess. It works for a brief moment before Lady Death snaps out of it and promptly defeats Aquiessence and Demonatrix both.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* In ''Literature/HiddenLegacy'', heroine Catalina Baylor has a class of magic classified as ''Siren''; basically, whenever she doesn't keep her power tightly leashed, everyone within sight of her person or the sound of her voice instantly loves her. It isn't sexual, meaning anyone is vulnerable to it. But it's a double-edged sword in several ways; first, everyone enthralled by her will do anything she asks, but this rapidly grows to the point where her thralls will fight to possess her, to the point where they will literally tear her to pieces to have a lock of her hair. This ''did'' in fact happen to one of her ancestors. There's only a few people in her world naturally immune to her magic (including her eventual LoveInterest); primarily her family, because 'we already love her as much as we possibly can'. Catalina was stolen several times as a child (including by the nurse who delivered her) to the kidnapper's ruin, even though it wasn't actually their fault. As a teen and young adult, Catalina is deeply shy and insecure, both because she never knows if someone likes her for herself or her power, and because she knows that her power can ruin people's lives through no fault or flaw of their own if she doesn't intend any harm.
* ''Literature/InCryptid'': Elsie and Artie are Lilu, better known to humans as [[SuccubiAndIncubi succubus (female) and incubus (male)]]. They naturally give off {{pheromones}} that attract humans of the opposite sex (other than blood relatives, who are immune[[note]]Elsie and Artie have a human mother and an incubus father[[/note]]). This is a problem, since Elsie is a lesbian but [[IDidntMeanToTurnYouOn keeps unintentionally attracting men who notice her pheromones]], while Artie has even less control over his pheromones, to the point that he's a {{Hikikomori}} by necessity. If he ever leaves the house, he wears cologne strong enough to destroy the sense of smell of anyone in a ten-foot radius, since otherwise his pheromones would be overpowering to any female he's not related to. Part of the reason he's in love with his ([[NotBloodSiblings adopted]]) cousin Sarah is that she's not human[[note]]Not even a mammal, possibly not of this dimension even[[/note]], and so [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou she's the only non-relative his age who he has no effect on]].

* ''Series/TheOrville'' has Darulio, a rare male example. His species of RubberForeheadAliens secretes {{pheromones}} that works on other species as well, causing them to become romantically obsessed with them. This worked on both Kelly ''and'' [[EvenTheGuysWantHim Ed Mercer]], although it's further complicated in that he claims it's something he can't control (the pheromones are not being secreted around the clock), and [[FreeLoveFuture his people's customs]] mean it would be ''insulting'' for him to turn down an offer of sex. The pheromones were also unintentionally transferred to the alien blob Yaphit, causing Dr. Finn to throw herself at him.

* ''Webcomic/MrBoop'': Betty Boop seemingly can't go anywhere without everyone around her thinking about how hot she is.

** And Jade Blue Afterglow from the episode "[[Recap/TheXFilesS07E13FirstPersonShooter First Person Shooter]]" who was a stunningly gorgeous suspect in a murder case. She comes in for questioning in a tiny leather camisole/skirt combo, and every male in the precinct goes insane.

Sometimes, VampiresAreSexGods is a supernatural effect and used to lure {{Muggles}} to the [[VampireBitesSuck dinner table]]. HornyDevils are also fond of just straight-up enchanting their victims supernaturally before sucking out their soul. Oftentimes this is a tool in a LiteralManeater's arsenal so that she can more easily seduce a man and [[EatenAlive eat him alive.]]

* ''Literature/InCryptid'': Elsie and Artie are Lilu, better known to humans as [[HornyDevils succubus (female) and incubus (male)]]. They naturally give off {{pheromones}} that attract humans of the opposite sex (other than blood relatives, who are immune[[note]]Elsie and Artie have a human mother and an incubus father[[/note]]). This is a problem, since Elsie is a lesbian but [[IDidntMeanToTurnYouOn keeps unintentionally attracting men who notice her pheromones]], while Artie has even less control over his pheromones, to the point that he's a {{Hikikomori}} by necessity. If he ever leaves the house, he wears cologne strong enough to destroy the sense of smell of anyone in a ten-foot radius, since otherwise his pheromones would be overpowering to any female he's not related to. Part of the reason he's in love with his ([[NotBloodSiblings adopted]]) cousin Sarah is that she's not human[[note]]Not even a mammal, possibly not of this dimension even[[/note]], and so [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou she's the only non-relative his age who he has no effect on]].

* [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} ]][[AllThereInTheManual According to the backstory]] for ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'', Makai's succubi, including Morrigan and Lilith, are able to magically generate intense and spontaneous lust in mortal humans (though how much this is magic and how much of them being sexy HornyDevils in {{Stripperiffic}} outfits is up for debate). [[OutWithABang Also, their bodily fluids cause instant death.]]

This trope is when LoveIsInTheAir is caused by the presence of an alien or fantastic creature, and works like a more passive version of AliensMadeThemDoIt. It's generally a first-season ploy by sci-fi shows to get ratings through sex. Can also be {{Fanservice}}. For the single-target version, see {{Pornomancer}}. Also NotRightInTheBed. May lead to HappinessInMindControl.

* The ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'' villain [[Characters/BatmanPoisonIvy Poison Ivy]] has this as one of her powers. Her powerful floral toxins are often secreted from her lips and administered via a kiss. She ''can'' use her powers through any skin contact, but enjoys doing it via a kiss.

Examples of this trope only targeting cis-straight people of the opposite sex can lead to FridgeLogic over whether or not someone with these powers could affect gay, bisexual, asexual, or transgender individuals. Would a queer woman be just as susceptible to ComicBook/PoisonIvy as a man? Could a gay or asexual man laugh off her pheromones and punch her out? Etc.

Examples of this trope only targeting cis-straight people of the opposite sex can lead to questions of whether or not someone with these powers could affect gay, asexual, or transgender individuals. Presumably, a bisexual would be *ahem* screwed either way.

* Lorelei in ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' is an Asgardian that can make men fall in love with her by voice or touch. Most of her victims think they both love each other, but when she uses it on Ward he knows that she is using him and brainwashing him, he just doesn't care.

Examples of this trope affecting only cis men or only cis women can lead to questions regarding how they would affect gay, bisexual, asexual, or transgender individuals.

* {{Deconstructed}} in one of the files of the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-0166 the Teenage Succubus]], which shows what happens when a person both doesn't want such powers and can't get rid of them. Turns out, being a walking supernatural sex bomb turns little things like her "consent" or "well-being" into a non-issue. Her powers are so strong that any guy that even ''sees'' the succubus loses all mental control and tries to force themselves on her on the spot. Considering [[AntiAntiChrist she's training to be a]] ''nun'', she isn't exactly fond of all this horrible attention, and her containment procedures state that under ''no circumstances'' are male guards allowed into her containment complex.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks,'' [[spoiler:Brad unknowingly becomes this when infected with an alien parasite]]. Oddly though, it only seems to affect one person, possibly just amplifying an attraction that already existed.
* On ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice,'' [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Bee]] has the power to control "most men and some women." WordOfGod confirms that it's {{pheromones}} based on sexual attraction.

* In ''Webcomic/SteelCityMoon,'' werewolves release {{pheromones}} that make them incredibly attractive to the opposite sex the day before they transform. (And possibly more ''attracted,'' considering that the amount of PG-rated MaleGaze that coincides with this.) To his credit, protagonist Justin tries to ''avoid'' girls when this is happening, though RuleOfDrama/RuleOfFunny naturally prevents this.

* On ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice,'' [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Bee]] has the power to control "most men and some women". WordOfGod confirms that it's {{pheromones}} based on sexual attraction.

** A brand of the stuff that skips the romance part is used in later Goa'uld's arsenals. One whiff is apparently enough to brainwash someone indefinitely until it can be counteracted.

** In episode "[[Recap/StargateSG1S1E13Hathor Hathor]]", a Goa'uld who has taken over the role of the Egyptian goddess of [[SexDrugsAndRockAndRoll Fertility, Music, and Inebriation]] finds her way into SG-1's base and turns every man there into crush-addled slaves via [[LoveIsInTheAir some unknown brew of pheromones and other stuff]] before using [[CunningLinguist Daniel]]'s DNA (and by "using Daniel's DNA," we mean "making him have sex with her while under her mind control gas") to father her children.

* The ''Manga/SailorMoon'' character Minako (of Venus) is a downplayed example. Her mere presence causes couples to form, although availability and some degree of latent attraction between the people involved is required. It doesn't work for ''her'', though, [[AloneAmongTheCouples which exacerbates the pain]] of every romantic relationship she's ever had ending in the most tragic, shameful way(s) possible. Sometimes the ability even causes boys she's interested in to fall for others instead.

* {{Deconstructed}} in one of the files of the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-166 the Teenage Succubus]], which shows what happens when a person both doesn't want such powers and can't get rid of them. Turns out, being a walking supernatural sex bomb turns little things like her "consent" or "well-being" into a non-issue. Her powers are so strong that any guy that even ''sees'' the succubus loses all mental control and tries to force themselves on her on the spot. Considering [[AntiAntiChrist she's training to be a]] ''nun'', she isn't exactly fond of all this horrible attention, and her containment procedures state that under ''no circumstances'' are male guards allowed into her containment complex.

* The Franchise/{{Batman}} villain ComicBook/PoisonIvy has this as one of her powers. Her powerful floral toxins are often secreted from her lips and administered via a kiss. She ''can'' use her powers through any skin contact, but enjoys doing it via a kiss.

* The ''Manga/SailorMoon'' character Minako (of Venus) is a downplayed example. Her mere presence causes couples to form, although availability and some degree of latent attraction between the people involved is required. It doesn't work for ''her'', though, [[AloneAmongTheCouples which exacerbates the pain]] of every romantic relationship she's ever had ending in the most tragic, shameful way(s) possible. Sometimes the ability even cucks her out of boys she's interested in, like a real-time version of CleaningUpRomanticLooseEnds.

* In ''StarTrekLowerDecks,'' [[spoiler:Brad unknowingly becomes this when infected with an alien parasite]]. Oddly though, it only seems to affect one person, possibly just amplifying an attraction that already existed.

* In ''Webcomic/SteelCityMoon,'' werewolves release {{pheromones}} that make them incredibly attractive to the opposite sex the day before they transform. (And possibly more ''attracted,'' considering that the amount of PG-rated MaleGaze that coincides with this.) To his credit, protagonist Justin is much more concerned with avoiding girls during these periods than trying to take advantage of the situation.

* The bad girl in the movie ''Film/NightAngel'' is Myth/{{Lilith}}. After waking up from her slumber, she goes on a rampage supernaturally seducing and killing people left and right. She gets nearly the entire staff of a glam magazine to completely fawn over her (including the female editor) and one guy affected by her spell even shoves his foot through a broken glass door to get near her.

* On ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice,'' [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Bee]] has the power to control [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar "most men and some women".]] WordOfGod confirms that it's {{pheromones}} based on sexual attraction.

-->''There is, for some unfathomed reason, something almost unbearably sexy about having huge fire-breathing magical dragons flying low about the sky on moonlit nights which were already dangerously on the sweet and fragrant side... No sooner would a flock of half a dozen silk-winged leather-bodied Fuolornis Fire Dragons heave into sight across the evening horizon that half the people of Brequinda were scurrying off into the woods with the other half, there to spend a busy breathless night together and emerge with the first rays of dawn all smiling and happy and still claiming, rather endearingly, to be virgins, if rather flushed and sticky virgins. pheromones, some researchers said. Something sonic, others claimed.''