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What Makes a Better Smeller?

Asifa Majid1, Laura Speed2, Ilja Croijmans3

  • 1Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Perception
|January 21, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Our sense of smell, olfaction, varies greatly. This review explores how biology, experience, and environment enhance odor perception and olfactory potential.

Keywords:
chemosensorycross-culturalindividual differencesodor detectionodor discriminationodor recognitionolfaction

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Science
  • Human Olfaction

Background:

  • Olfaction is commonly perceived as challenging, but empirical evidence indicates significant individual differences in odor detection, discrimination, and naming.
  • Research often focuses on olfactory deficits, overlooking factors that contribute to superior olfactory abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To adopt a positive perspective on olfaction by identifying factors that enhance an individual's ability to smell.
  • To critically examine the evidence for biological, experiential, and environmental influences on olfactory perception.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on factors that improve olfactory ability.
  • Analysis of biological (e.g., neurodiversity, olfactory synesthesia), experiential (e.g., development, training), and environmental (e.g., ambient odors, culinary traditions) influences.
  • Critical evaluation of existing evidence and exploration of under-discussed areas.

Main Results:

  • Biological factors, including neurodiversity like olfactory synesthesia, can significantly enhance olfactory capabilities.
  • Lifetime experiences, from typical development to specialized training, demonstrably modify olfactory trajectories.
  • Environmental elements, such as ambient odor exposure and cultural culinary practices, play a crucial role in shaping odor perception.

Conclusions:

  • Individual differences in olfaction are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, experiential, and environmental factors.
  • Focusing on enhancing olfactory potential, rather than deficits, offers a promising avenue for understanding and improving smell.
  • Harnessing these factors can lead to a greater appreciation and utilization of our olfactory capabilities.