Unconscious odor detection could not be due to odor itself

Unconscious odor detection has been demonstrated but the mechanisms implied in this process have been poorly studied. In so far, most odorants activate both olfactory and trigeminal systems, it is relevant to explore how each system could be involved in the unconscious detection processes. This study used three methods to determine the detection thresholds for three odorants. The results showed that (1). psychophysical were lower than self-evaluated thresholds whatever the odorant; (2). an odorant with trigeminal component had the ability to produce an autonomic (skin conductance response-SCR) activation with lower concentrations than psychophysical and self-evaluated thresholds; on the contrary, an odorant, which stimulates only the olfactory system, induces an autonomic activation only with higher concentrations than psychophysical and self-evaluated thresholds. These findings suggest that unconscious odor detection could be due to the trigeminal component of odorants.