How Smell Guides Our Inner World Β
Podcast: The Quanta PodcastPublished On: Tue Aug 05 2025
Description: When some people smell the molecule benzyl acetate, they identify a distinctly banana-y scent. But when others sniff the same compound, they get hints of nail polish remover. How can this be? Smell is a tricky sensory process to pin down. Our perception of scents is wide-ranging and often depends on lived experience. But researchers are building a deeper understanding of the processes underlying our nosesβ elusive machinery.Β In this episode, host Samir Patel and ππΆπ’π―π΅π’ biology staff writer Yasemin Saplakoglu explore the invisible sense that shapes our reality, from nostalgic childhood fragrances β lavender, old books β to familiar irksome odors β skunks, garbage. This topic was covered in a recent story for ππΆπ’π―π΅π’ ππ’π¨π’π»πͺπ―π¦.Each week on ππ©π¦ ππΆπ’π―π΅π’ ππ°π₯π€π’π΄π΅, ππΆπ’π―π΅π’ ππ’π¨π’π»πͺπ―π¦ editor in chief Samir Patel speaks with the people behind the award-winning publication to navigate through some of the most important and mind-expanding questions in science and math.
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