Believing in simulated virtual scents produces reported olfactory sensations

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Sensory Perception

Background:

• Predictive processing (PP) models the brain as a prediction engine, integrating sensory input with prior information.
• This framework enhances cognitive functions but has under-explored applications in olfactory perception.
• Understanding olfactory processing within PP is crucial for a unified theory of mind.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate olfactory sensations within the predictive processing framework.
• To provide evidence that olfactory perception is constructed via predictive processes.
• To explore the role of manipulated prior beliefs in olfactory experience.

Main Methods:

• A pre-registered, controlled behavioral experiment was conducted.
• Participants' short-term priors of olfactory sensations were manipulated.
• Participants were led to believe olfactory stimuli were part of a virtual reality experience.

Main Results:

• Participants reported diverse olfactory sensations following manipulation of prior beliefs.
• This demonstrates that olfactory perception can be actively constructed by the brain.
• The findings extend the PP framework's explanatory power to olfaction.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory sensations are constructed through predictive processes, akin to other sensory modalities.
• The study establishes a framework for future research on predictive olfaction using virtual stimuli.
• Potential therapeutic applications exist for olfactory dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases.