What is vabbing? The bizarre TikTok dating trend that sees people using their vaginal fluids as perfume

Wondering what the various TikTok reactions to the trending term ‘vabbing’ are all about? Nope, it’s nothing to do with dabbing or vaping, or somewhere in between… it’s an, er, unconventional technique women are using to attract a partner, using their vaginal secretions. 

The theory? Supposedly, the natural scent contains pheromones which can attract potential partners and influence romantic activity. A number of women have been sharing their experiences with vabbing on their TikTok accounts, with many singing its praises.

“I did it right before I went to the gym and then that guy hit on me while I was working out. Vabbing works!” TikToker @Jewlieah, a regular vabber, told her viewers. 

Sexologist and psychotherapist Carlen Costa has also been open about vabbing with her followers, explaining that she has used the technique for around 20 years – but with current partners.

“I employ vabbing or encourage vabbing and recommend it as part of a mating ritual with a current lover that already loves your juices,” she says. “I do vab a little bit in my pressure points, so that when my lover comes over, he’s getting this ultimate sense of me. It drives people wild and I love it so much.”

And responding to various comments that have expressed disgust at the technique, she said: “I have zero shame about how I show up in this world, thank you very much.”

The response to the trend has been varied, to say the least, with most reacting with distaste to the idea of vabbing – perpetuating the view that vaginas, and their apparent scent, is disgusting.

“I’m gonna start practicing social distancing again,” one wrote, and another responded: “Not touching anyone again thank you.”

It continues the preoccupation with vaginas and their smell, from Goop’s ‘This Smells Like My Vagina’ candle to the trend for vaginal steaming and ongoing production of feminine hygiene products. Spoiler alert: your vulva and vagina do not need to be ‘cleaned’ using anything other than warm water.

But does vabbing work? Barbara Santini, psychologist and sex advisor at Peaches & Screams, tells GLAMOUR: “We need to remember that pheromones play an important role in sexual attraction and behaviour but… in animals.

“There has been several research studies conducted to test the correlation between the action of human pheromones and sexual arousal or attraction. Based on that, we still cannot confirm how or even if pheromones ‘work’ in humans and affect our choices of partners. There is still insufficient evidence for this. Which leaves vabbing to play only self-confidence role, which actually can be a huge aphrodisiac.”