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Loss Of Sense Smell

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Did you know that no two apples smell alike? It's true. Because every scent that we perceive is composed of a specific and complex combination of molecules, the scent of every apple is unique to itself. No two apples have identical scents because no two apples are composed of the same combination of molecules. One apple may be larger, have been exposed to more sunlight, water, nutrients, insecticides or herbicides than its partner hanging next to it on the very same tree.

These slight differences—however miniscule they may be—have a bearing on an apple's molecular make up, and therefore, have a bearing on its scent. You might say that every apple has its own "fingerprint," or "scentprint."

Each individual also has his or her own unique "scentprint". As individuals, we too have our own unique scents. Factors that determine various body scents include our age, physical condition, medications, illnesses, hormones, biorhythms, the foods we eat, the minerals in the water we drink, our skin and hair colour, and the chemicals in the air we breathe.

Remember the way your skin smelled the last time you ate garlic fingers? Or how about the last time you ate watermelon? Think of the scents of the vegetables that were in the salad you ate for lunch—the cucumbers, the red peppers and Spanish onions. Have you ever noticed that the scents of these foods end up lingering on your skin long after you have washed your hands? Sometimes even after you've had a shower? Not only are you what you eat, but you end up smelling like the foods that you eat as well!

Consider this: unlike the apples we've discussed, whose scents are relatively uniform, every part of our bodies—our hair, mouth, eyes, elbows, underarms, feet, etc.—also have their own scents that contribute to our overall unique scent.

Now add perfume to this equation. We know that no two perfumes have the same scent. But did you know that the perfume you put on your throat will smell differently than that which you put on your wrist? Because different parts of our bodies have various scents, a perfume's odour is dependent on not only the individual, but on the part of the body of that individual to which it is applied. And because the scent of our bodies changes from one hour to the next, depending on its exposure to the air and our own body's biorhythms . . .

How do scents affect the way in which we relate to each other?

According to scientists, within seconds of meeting new people we make sensory decisions about them, one of which is based on how they smell. According to the Sense of Smell Institute, "deep friendships and romantic alliances are dependent upon, what scientists identify as, 'olfactory bonding.'"

Not surprisingly, studies show that fragrances have a large impact on how others feel about us and how we feel about others. In a study by Drs. John Nezlek and Glenn Shean, subjects claimed that when they wore their favourite fragrances they felt better about themselves and felt more comfortable in social situations.

The study also indicated that fragrances were more crucial in opposite-sex interactions. Moreover, it was shown that as an individual's appreciation for a fragrance increases so do their social skills.

Loss Of Sense Smell

Like our eyesight, our sense of smell weakens as we age. While the jury is still out in determining just when our sense of smell peaks and begins to decline—some experts say that it peaks at the age of eight and begins to decline as early as the age of fifteen—the general consensus, however, seems to be that our sense of smell remains sharp well into our fourth and fifth decades and that it largely depends on our particular state of health.

As we age, our numbers of olfactory receptor cells diminish. Research suggests that a sixty-five year old may have as few as one-third as many receptor cells as an individual who is twenty. And though our sense of smell is most acute between the ages of twenty and forty, we use our sense of smell to enhance our living, alert us to danger, and make important decisions about people and places throughout our lifetime.

In "Taste and Smell Losses with Age" Dr. Susan Schiffman reports that as we get older, our ability to detect odours, discriminate among different odours, and perceive the strength of odours diminishes. She found that odours for many elderly subjects are only half as intense as those for young people.

Though our sense of smell generally begins to weaken after our sixth decade, (in one study, about one quarter of subjects between the ages of sixty-five and eighty years old had a total lack of a sense of smell), Dr. Schiffman claims that the sense of smell of many of the octogenarians would rival that of twenty year olds. She concludes that that elderly subjects who demonstrate good mental and physical health generally have a sense of smell which is comparable to that of young individuals.

Can you "exercise" your nose to keep it young?

Yes. While researchers are searching for treatments to help counteract the effects that aging has on our sense of smell (and taste), there are "exercises" that you can do now to keep your nose (and taste buds) young. Like our other senses, our sense of smell can be kept young with its constant and creative use that includes:

* Using your mind, not your nose to smell. Imagine the scent of different fragrances in much the same way you imagine the notes of a song. We perceive most fragrances on an unconscious level. Try to imagine the scent of a cinnamon candle, a peppermint stick, or lilacs in the spring. Write a list and practice imagining these scents on a regular basis—perhaps, a few times a week.

* Purchase scented candles. While you enjoy the benefits of their scented aromas, take the time to smell each one individually. Smell often, but not for long. Alternate between fragrances. The more you do this, the sharper your sense of smell will become. If you need to refresh your nose, step away, blow a few puffs of air through your nose, and then sniff again.

* Stop and smell the flowers! Everywhere around you are fragrances. Your job is to notice and smell them. In the course of each day, try to make a mental note of at least a couple dozen or more scents. Try to associate what you did during the day while you experienced these fragrances. Make fragrance diaries, recording fragrances along with your thoughts and activities.

* Vary your fragrances throughout the day. Use one fragrance to wake up to, another to give you energy at midday, and another to calm and relax you in the evening.

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Luke Vorstermans has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Wellness and Fitness. Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab, a world leader in the development of innovative products that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual health. To learn mor. Luke Vorstermans's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

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