by Kevin Burton
Just what does teen spirit smell like anyway? You know, people have put some thought into this.
Really.
This is from Nica Rodriguez, writing on http://www.thought.is:
“For starters, the smell of a new book should ring a few bells. There is no denying that a new book smells of passion, knowledge, and power, but most importantly, it has the scent of the desire to learn something not for the grades, but simply for one’s hunger.”
“Teen spirit smells like the first whiff from turning the pages of a new book right after the end of the semester – the smell of freedom, pure leisure, and the state of being devoid of expectations from any professors or colleagues.”
“It is the smell of the eagerness to change one’s self and life in order to hopefully change the world,” Rodriguez writes. “Teen spirit also smells like the strong aroma of coffee…like the amalgamated scent of latte, cappuccino, and Americano inside the coffee shop at eight in the morning.”
“ It is the scent of exhaustion from studying the previous night, but at the same time, it is also the scent of hard work – a proof that despite being deprived of sleep, there is still the desire to learn, to graduate, and to create the life that has been painted at the back of one’s head for quite some time.”
“Teen spirit smells of self-exploration and discovery; of the never-ending journey and travelling; of not wanting to stay in one place; of that one particular thing that makes the heart keep on beating; and of dreams and aspirations,” Rodriguez writes. “Teen spirit is the redolence of all that has been, what is being, and what could possibly be. It smells of both innocence and intellect; of the perpetual desire to discover and be discovered; of the need to love and be loved.”
“Teen spirit smells of the adventures, miseries, tragedies, beauties, and paradoxes of living, and there is no way on earth that its scent will stop lingering on.”
Did you get all that? Well there was more. I cut her off.
This was like swimming in a place where the signs tell you not to, and getting in too deep, dangerously deep.
This then, will serve as preamble to a list of facts about the sense of smell, provided by our old reliable buddies at Dictionary Scoop.
(My favorite takeaway? Your sweat doesn’t stink.):
1–Humans can detect over 1 trillion scents
A 2014 study published in Science shattered the old myth that humans can only detect 10,000 odors. Using complex mixtures of odor molecules, researchers showed people can distinguish more than 1 trillion unique scents.
2–Smell and memory share a brain region
The olfactory bulb is directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus—areas tied to memory and emotion. That’s why scents can instantly bring back vivid memories or feelings.
3–Dogs out sniff humans by a mile
Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors, compared to a human’s 5 to 6 million. Their olfactory bulb is also 40 times larger relative to brain size. This allows dogs to detect some odors in parts per trillion—like explosives, drugs, or even diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
4–Your nose can smell direction
Humans can detect the direction of a scent using stereo olfaction—each nostril processes slightly different odor concentrations, helping you locate sources. It’s not as precise as in animals, but studies show people can track scents across open ground, especially with practice or training.
5–Newborns know mom by smell
Babies can recognize their mother’s scent within days of birth. Breastfed infants prefer the smell of their mother’s milk over others. This olfactory recognition helps form early attachment and may guide newborns to the breast for feeding in the first hours of life.
6–Pheromones might affect attraction
While human pheromones remain a controversial topic, studies show we can subconsciously respond to scent cues linked to immune system genes (known as MHC).
People often prefer the natural scent of partners with different MHC profiles—potentially increasing offspring health through greater genetic diversity.
7–Scents can manipulate behavior
Retail stores often use “scent marketing” to influence customer behavior—like pumping out baked cookie smells to make shoppers linger. Studies show pleasant scents can increase time spent in stores, improve mood, and even boost how much people are willing to spend.
8–Some people smell in color
Synesthesia is a rare condition where stimulation of one sense involuntarily triggers another. Some synesthetes smell scents and see colors or shapes. The cause is likely cross-wiring in the brain.
9–Smelling peppermint boosts alertness
Studies show that the scent of peppermint can increase alertness, memory, and physical performance. It’s often used by athletes and students for focus. The menthol in peppermint stimulates the trigeminal nerve, giving a cooling sensation that makes the brain feel more awake and refreshed.
10–Sweat has no smell—until bacteria arrive
Human sweat is odorless. The smell comes from bacteria on your skin breaking down sweat molecules into smelly compounds. Different bacteria produce different odors—some people’s sweat smells like vinegar, others like onions or even cat pee, depending on their microbiome.
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