There is one experience every human being will eventually face, and that is death. Even though it happens to everyone, there is still a tremendous amount of mystery surrounding it.
People dislike uncertainty, and that may be why the idea of death frightens so many. But research suggests that while much about dying remains unknown, some aspects are slowly becoming clearer.
Keep reading to learn more.
When science cannot fully explain something, people often refer to it as a “sixth sense.” Interestingly, scientific studies occasionally confirm things humans have long suspected through intuition.
Recent research shows that as soon as a person dies, the body immediately begins to break down. During this process, it releases a chemical called putrescine. Putrescine has a toxic, pungent smell, and humans — even without realizing it — can recognize it as the scent of decay. When the brain detects this odor, it triggers an automatic response related to danger or death.
According to psychologist Arnaud Wisman from the University of Kent in the UK and Ilan Shira from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, humans, like many animals, are capable of picking up certain smells and reacting instinctively. This ability is a survival mechanism found across numerous species. So when humans encounter the scent of putrescine, whether consciously or unconsciously, they react.
The researchers conducted experiments showing that people exposed to putrescine tended to move away from the source — much like animals who instinctively flee when sensing danger. “We do not know why we like or dislike someone’s smell, and we’re usually unaware of how scent influences our emotions, preferences, and attitudes,” Wisman and Shira explained.
Other researchers have noted, “It is hard to think of a scent as frightening,” yet it is undeniable that certain smells heighten our awareness of possible threats.
Sex pheromones — natural odors released by men or women — also influence human behavior, often prompting attraction or signaling readiness for mating.
“Putrescine sends a very different message than pheromones, but people’s reactions to putrescine (avoidance and hostility) seem to be the opposite of how they respond to many sexual pheromones,” one expert noted.
What makes putrescine unique is that humans are not consciously aware they are smelling it. The response happens entirely beneath the surface. This means our nose may help alert us to death — or danger — without us realizing it.
It’s always fascinating to learn how the human body works, and how our subconscious responds to things we may not even notice. Share this with others so they can learn about this remarkable discovery too!