Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 5

By Luke Vorstermans

According to the Sense of Smell Institute, women consistently outscore men with their sense of smell.   Interestingly, however, it has found that a woman’s ability to smell is dependent on the level of various hormones in her body.  A woman’s sense of smell is heightened during the first half of her menstrual cycle and peaks when she is most fertile and sexually responsive.  Women, it seems, have sensitivity to scented sex hormones, or pheromones.   During ovulation, women are 10,000 more sensitive to the scent of male hormones than during menstruation.

Other studies have shown that aside from a woman’s monthly cycle, her gender alone also makes her more likely to have a sharper sense of smell as female babies have a keener sense of smell than their male cohorts.  Studies conducted by Dr. Hilary Schmidt reveal genetic differences in the responsiveness to scents that appear to have their origins in infancy.

During her research, Dr. Schmidt noticed that female babies responded to scented rattles while male babies did not.  However, her findings also show that male babies demonstrate a preference for pleasantly-scented rattles over those with an unpleasant scent while their female cohorts demonstrate an equal interest in both.  Overall, scent—whether pleasant or unpleasant—peaks the interest of female babies.

According to Dr. Schmidt’s research, children do not demonstrate adult-like preferences regarding odour in their environment until they begin to see their world through adult-like eyes.  At this time they begin to show preferences for pleasant fragrances over unpleasant fragrances.

Interestingly, another study reveals that not all scents produce gender-specific responses, suggesting that sex differences in olfactory prowess may be scent-dependent.  However, more research is needed in this area to conclude whether a woman’s menstrual cycle may play a determining factor in this occurrence.  It may be that certain scents in studies done did not elicit gender-specific responses because its female subjects were menstruating.

Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab, a world leader in the development of innovative products that use our sense of smell to influence behaviour, trigger memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual health.  Learn more about enhancing your sex drive with Scentuelle patch.

Email: Luke@theSOSlab.com
www.scentuellepatch.com

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