Research confirms: fear can also infect humans to smell the smell
Eas Self Alarm Tag,Alarm Rf Tag,Anti Theft Security Tags,Tag Alarm Group Wenzhou Boshine Electronic Security Co. Ltd , https://www.boshine.com
A new study by scientists has confirmed that the so-called "fear of smell" is real. Researchers discovered that through specific chemicals—pheromones—secreted by the skin, people can "infect" others with their fear. This emotional signal can even spread to multiple people in the vicinity.
The experiment, led by scientists from the University of Düsseldorf in Germany, involved 49 volunteers. During the test, Dr. Betkina and her team collected sweat samples from 21 participants one hour before the experiment began, as well as sweat produced during a cycling session. The remaining 28 volunteers were then asked to sniff these samples and identify which ones were collected before the test and which were collected during physical activity.
Although none of the volunteers could accurately distinguish between the two types of sweat, brain scans revealed increased activity in the emotional and social regions of the brain when they smelled the pre-test sweat. Scientists believe this response indicates that chemicals released when people are scared or anxious can influence those around them.
Many researchers emphasize that while scent plays a significant role in human interactions, it remains underexplored. Previous studies have shown that body temperature can affect attraction, with individuals having stronger immune systems often being more appealing. Additionally, people tend to choose partners with different body temperatures to reduce the risk of inbreeding.
In a separate study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, researchers found that odors associated with fear or nervousness can trigger reactions in other people’s brains. The sweat used in that experiment was collected from a skydiver. Analysts suggest that the military hopes to identify key chemical compounds that could be used to instill fear in enemy forces.
This growing body of research highlights how deeply our senses—especially smell—can influence our emotions, behaviors, and even social connections. As we continue to explore these hidden signals, we may uncover new ways to understand and interact with each other.