Remember that hilarious scene from Ocean’s 13, when Linus (played by Matt Damon) slaps a mysterious little patch onto his neck, and moments later, Ellen Barkin’s character completely loses her cool? Of course you do—it’s iconic, entertaining, and ridiculously exaggerated.
But since then, curious movie buffs and pheromone enthusiasts alike have wondered…
Is “The Gilroy” real? Could something like the Gilroy Patch from Ocean’s Thirteen actually exist—and if it does, does it actually work?
Let’s unravel the truth behind Hollywood’s favorite pheromone gimmick and clear the air once and for all.
Wait, What Exactly IS “The Gilroy” Anyway?
In case you missed the movie (seriously, go watch it, it’s fun), here’s the deal:
Linus, part of Ocean’s crew, uses a tiny patch that emits an invisible cloud of pheromones.
His victim—er, target—immediately gets hit with uncontrollable attraction, acting as though she’s had a few too many cocktails and can’t resist Linus’s irresistible charms.
It’s funny, outrageous, and incredibly unrealistic.
Here is a cut scene of this moment in Ocean’s 13:
Of course – being a totally fictional product didn’t stop pheromone vendors from trying to cash in on the hype.
Several years ago, True Pheromones gave us their real-life take: “The Gilroy.”
The Gilroy from Ocean’s Thirteen: Real Product or Pure Gimmick?
Yes, believe it or not, True Pheromones (now defunct, as far as I know) actually marketed something called “The Gilroy Patch,” boldly claiming it could replicate the movie’s magical effects.
According to them, it contained 3,000 mcg of androstenol (both alpha and beta types) and 1,000 mcg of androsterone (alpha and beta).
Here’s what they promised:
- Instant ice-breaking effects
- Effortless comfort and safety vibes
- Sexual energy without direct action
Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well… hold onto your patches.
I actually got one as a freebie years ago when exploring pheromone products for myself. Unfortunately, my personal review of the Gilroy patch was pretty straightforward: it didn’t really do much. Nada. Zilch.
Why Didn’t the Gilroy Patch Work?
Simple. The product itself had a weird, papery texture that didn’t diffuse pheromones properly.
Anyone experienced in pheromone colognes or perfumes knows diffusion is absolutely crucial.
Without proper diffusion, pheromones are about as effective as a fortune cookie prediction.
Even True Pheromones, which usually had some decent standalone products, went a little too far into fantasy territory with their Gilroy gimmick.
My Experience with “The Gilroy” Patch: Expectation vs. Reality
Years ago, when I was diving deep into pheromone testing, True Pheromones tossed in their Gilroy Patch as a freebie.
Curious (and amused), I eagerly slapped it on, waiting for Hollywood-level results.
And what happened?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing notable. No extra flirtation, no smiles from strangers, no spontaneous cocktail-induced clumsiness.
The patch had an oddly soft, papery feel that likely prevented proper diffusion. Anyone who’s experimented with pheromones knows that if you mess up the diffusion, you mess up the entire experience.
Bottom line: The Gilroy Patch was a dud. It might’ve been clever marketing, but practically speaking, it didn’t deliver.
But Do ANY Pheromone Patches Work?
Good question. In theory, pheromone patches could work if they were designed carefully.
I suspect the soft paper-y feel of the patch messes up the diffusion, and you would be far better off just applying it to your skin as usual (or on clothing if you have sensitive skin).
A tiny patch is a terrible way to disperse pheromones compared to sprays or roll-ons directly applied to your skin or clothes.
You’re essentially limiting your diffusion radius, which is exactly the opposite of what you want.
And that’s probably why no successful pheromone patch product has ever really taken off.
Ocean’s 13 Gilroy Scene: Pure Hollywood Magic?
Yes, pure Hollywood. Real-life pheromones just don’t work that way.
Here’s how actual pheromones function:
- Increased social openness: Easier conversations, relaxed vibes.
- Heightened flirtatiousness: More playful banter, attraction cues.
- Subtle status signaling: You seem more confident, dominant, or approachable.
What they don’t do:
- Instantly intoxicate someone like a shot of tequila.
- Make strangers uncontrollably rip your clothes off.
- Turn perfectly normal individuals into fumbling, speechless messes (unless your game is really that good).
Sure, pheromones absolutely boost your natural attractiveness and can give you an edge—but they can’t replace genuine chemistry, charisma, or connection.
In the past, True Pheromones claimed to use 2 pheromones – androstenol and androsterone in their version of the “Gilroy Patch”.
Although they are now inactive/defuncy, they didn’t differentiate between the alpha/beta variants of the pheromones they claimed were in the products:
I would expect a mix containing these pheromones to create the effects of higher status, and higher levels of sociability.
However, these are typically not “attraction” specific pheromones…
… they are used to drive or balance the effects of more aggressive pheromones such as androstenone.
By that logic, it would seem they did really attempt to try and infuse pheromones into sticky skin patches.
Gilroy Perfume: Could it Work?
Let’s set the record straight—pheromones aren’t some voodoo love spell in a bottle. If you’re expecting people to start tripping over themselves just to talk to you, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
The reality? Pheromones are a tool—powerful, sure, but they’re not going to do the heavy lifting if the rest of your game is weak.
Once you get that, you can actually start using them the right way—and that’s when the results start getting interesting.
And frankly, a perfume version of “The Gilroy” might’ve been more successful.
Sprays and oil diffuse pheromones much better than a paper patch ever could, and combining androstenol (comfort, openness) and androsterone (confidence, protection) could create a pretty appealing social vibe.
However, at this point, I would not even entertain silly gimmicks like this.
There are already excellent products on the market that have been proven & time tested.
Any products claiming to work in this manner are usually low quality viral pheromone colognes and perfumes that have been popping up on social media in recent years.
FAQ’s About The Gilroy Oceans 13
What is the Gilroy in Ocean’s 13?
The Gilroy is a patch used by Linus in the movie ‘Ocean’s 13’, where it is used in attempt to distract someone while they defraud a casino. In the scene, the Gilroy Patch is applied to Linus’s neck, and when he opens the door, the target in question is quickly affected after smelling pheromones on him.
Does the Gilroy really exist?
Yes and no – in the past, there was a version of “The Gilroy” available at True Pheromones. However, this product was a gimmick and attempted to capitalize on a trend that was sparked by the Ocean’s 13 movie. It is nowhere near that effective, and even strong pheromone colognes and perfumes do not work in that way.
Do pheromone patches work?
In theory, yes. In practicality, this isn’t a MORE efficient method to disperse pheromones than simply using a cologne or perfume version. Applications on skin or clothing are likely to work much better than having pheromones applied on a small patch, and then applying it on your neck.
What does Linus put on his neck in Ocean’s 13?
Linus uses “The Gilroy”, a small white patch in order to disperse pheromones onto someone, in an attempt to distract them with seduction. We can see the “cloud” of pheromones emanating from his neck, and then being inhaled by the woman in the movie.
Can I buy the Gilroy Patch from Ocean’s 13?
In the past, a company called True Pheromones offered it, but they’ve become inactive and unresponsive in recent years. However, it was just a useless gimmick, and offered no actual results. The company at the time was decent, offering a working line of products. However, there are significantly better products available now.
Is The Gilroy Patch real?
It is real, however, it does not work like a powerful attractant as it shows in the movie Ocean’s 13. The only Gilroy Patch was a gimmick product from the vendor True Pheromones.
Final Thoughts on Gilroy Patches, Ocean’s 13, and Real-Life Pheromones
Hollywood loves taking concepts like pheromones and dialing them up to 11 for entertainment purposes.
Unfortunately, real life just doesn’t work that way.
The Gilroy Patch from Ocean’s 13 is an unforgettable, hilarious moment, but that’s where it belongs—in the movies.
While pheromones genuinely can boost attraction and social vibes, they’re a subtle tool, not a magic spell.
But hey, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun experimenting with real pheromone products. Just set realistic expectations—and maybe avoid patches.
Stayed tuned,
- PheroJoe
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