The Science Behind Our Limited Self-Smell Perception
Humans have a sense of smell that is comparable to other animals, with roughly 400 different smell receptors capable of detecting over 1 trillion scents. However, we become desensitized to our own scent over time, a process known as odor fatigue. Our ability to detect our own smell can be heightened in certain situations, such as after eating garlic or experiencing stress. Changes in body odor can also be indicative of various illnesses. Our scent is linked to our social relationships, as we use it to assess others and often prefer those who smell like us. Despite its importance, smell has received less attention compared to other senses, but the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked renewed interest in the subject.