The Mystery of Scent and Death
It’s not unusual for family members to talk about someone close to them who has died. They often share surprising stories about how that person acted before they passed away. Sometimes, they say their goodbyes, fix old arguments, or even give away their cherished belongings. It seems like they might know something we don’t.
Some people believe these actions are just coincidences, but others are sure that we somehow sense when death is near. It’s a natural feeling to wonder about what happens to someone we love as they reach the end of their life, and to imagine what their final moments might be like.
Scientists have discovered fascinating things about what happens to our bodies when we die; for example, they know that right after death, our bodies start to break down.
One thing that happens is the release of a strange and unpleasant smell called putrescine. This awful scent is part of the decomposition process and researchers have found that we humans can subconsciously recognize it. It seems that when putrescine is released, our bodies react right away.
Animals and Instincts
Just like us, animals can smell this scent, and it makes them act differently—much like when they sense danger from a predator or something threatening.
Two researchers, Arnaud Wisman from the University of Kent in the UK and Ilan Shira from Arkansas Tech University, have shown that animals and humans respond to these smells in similar ways. They discovered that detecting chemical scents is crucial for survival.
Wisman and Shira explain, “Putrescine is a chemical compound released when a body decays. It acts as a warning signal. People have both a conscious and subconscious reaction when they are exposed to this scent.”
To study this, they held several experiments using putrescine, ammonia, and water to examine how people reacted. In one of the experiments, when people were presented with the smell of putrescine, they instinctively moved away from it, much like the fight-or-flight response seen in animals.
This just shows that when animals sense danger, they have two choices: confront it or run away. The study revealed that humans react similarly.
But it doesn’t stop there! There are other smells we humans react to as well, such as sweat. Other studies have shown that when people smell sweat from someone who is scared, it causes them to jump or startle.
“We do not know why we like (or dislike) someone’s smell, and we’re usually not aware of how scent influences our emotions, preferences, and attitudes,” Wisman and Shira shared. It’s interesting how certain scents can make us more aware and alert about the world around us.
Facing Fear or Running Away
When faced with danger, people often don’t confront it directly. Instead, they tend to avoid conflicts, be they physical or verbal, until they feel there’s no choice left but to fight. Wisman and Shira noted, “The responses may be different from each other, but putrescine and sexual pheromones are both based on scent.”
While sexual pheromones attract potential mates, putrescine sends out a fearful message. “Putrescine signals a different type of message than pheromones, but people’s responses to putrescine (avoidance and hostility) do seem indeed to be the opposite of responses to many sexual pheromones,” they explained.
During their studies, participants were not aware of how negatively they reacted to the scent of putrescine. Wisman and Shira concluded, “People are not familiar with putrescine and do not consciously associate it with death or fear.”
It’s a strange world we live in, filled with mysterious connections between smell, fear, and life and death.
What do you think about this fascinating story? Do you think our senses can truly predict the end? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope you find this version both exciting and engaging! If you’d like any changes or further details, just let me know.
