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Possible relation between olfaction and anxiety in healthy subjects
Tsutomu Takahashi1, Hiroko Itoh1, Yumiko Nishikawa1
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|January 22, 2015
Summary
Anxiety significantly impacts olfactory function in healthy individuals, affecting odor detection and recognition. This suggests emotional state influences our sense of smell, potentially explaining impairments in anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Olfaction is closely linked to the limbic system and emotions.
- The precise relationship between emotional status and olfactory functioning requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of state and trait anxiety on olfactory detection and recognition thresholds in healthy subjects.
- To explore potential sex differences in olfactory abilities.
Main Methods:
- 124 healthy participants (62 males, 62 females) were assessed using a T&T olfactometer.
- Detection and recognition thresholds for five distinct odors were measured.
- State and trait anxiety levels were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Anxiety ratings (both state and trait) were significantly correlated with reduced olfactory ability, particularly in rose odor identification.
- Women exhibited a lower recognition threshold for sweet fruit odors and a higher detection threshold for rotten food odors compared to men.
- Age, socioeconomic status, IQ, and smoking history did not significantly influence olfactory function.
Conclusions:
- Emotional status, specifically anxiety, demonstrably affects olfactory functioning in healthy individuals.
- These findings may offer insights into the olfactory impairments observed in clinical conditions like anxiety disorders.
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