August 23, 2024
Studies have shown that humans can detect fear through scent. Our noses can pick up on subtle chemical changes in the sweat of fearful individuals.
The act of sniffing can actually lower blood pressure. This is believed to be due to a relaxation response triggered by the stimulation of the olfactory nerve.
The nasal passages can influence the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which in turn affects our sleep-wake cycle.
Some women report being able to smell pregnancy before a missed period. This is thought to be due to changes in hormone levels that produce a distinct odor.
A study found that newborns could distinguish the scent of their mother from the scent of other women. This suggests that our noses can help us recognize loved ones based on their unique odor profile.