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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
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Pregnancy and olfaction: a review.

E Leslie Cameron1

  • 1Department of Psychological Science, Carthage College Kenosha, WI, USA.

Frontiers in Psychology
|February 26, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Pregnancy may alter smell perception, but scientific evidence is limited. While many women report heightened sensitivity, research shows little support for decreased olfactory thresholds, with some effects being individual.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Sensory Perception

Background:

  • Anecdotal reports of heightened smell sensitivity during pregnancy are common.
  • Over a century of such accounts contrasts with sparse and inconclusive scientific evidence.
  • Understanding olfactory perception changes in pregnancy is crucial for maternal health and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize existing literature on olfactory perception during pregnancy.
  • To evaluate the scientific evidence supporting common anecdotal claims of altered smell.
  • To explore hypotheses and suggest future research directions for olfactory changes in pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies on olfactory perception in pregnant women.
Keywords:
hedonicshormoneshyperosmiahyperreactivityodor identificationpregnancy sicknessself reportthreshold

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  • Analysis of self-report data, olfactory thresholds, and odor identification.
  • Examination of intensity, hedonic ratings, and disgust responses to odors.

    • Main Results:

    • General decrease in olfactory thresholds (increased sensitivity) lacks consistent scientific support.
    • Limited evidence suggests pregnancy may affect suprathreshold olfactory measures, like hedonic ratings.
    • Observed effects on olfactory perception appear to be idiosyncratic and vary among individuals.

    Conclusions:

    • The widely reported heightened sense of smell during pregnancy is not robustly supported by current scientific evidence.
    • Pregnancy-related olfactory changes, if present, are likely subtle and individual-specific rather than universal.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and extent of olfactory perception alterations in pregnancy.