Discovering odors

Often taken for granted, the sense of smell has seldom been discussed or understood. However, since the start of the 20th Century, studies in this area have grown exponentially and today there is a greater understanding of the olfactory system - at both structural and functional levels. Scientists now concern themselves with questions about the holistic nature of our sense of smell and are investigating the role of odors in interpersonal relations, in food intake processes, in the diagnosis of certain illnesses, and many other areas. The beginnings of this knowledge are as fascinating as they are abundant and numerous disciplines are involved: psychology, physiology, genetics, neuroscience, engineering, etc. This book illustrates and analyzes the current state of advances in research about the smells around us, and the way in which they influence our relationship with the world.

Dr. Følling's Flair: Discovery of Phenylketonuria by Smell -- A Nobel Prize for the Nose and Retraction in Science -- Sperm and Lily of the Valley -- Vibrational Theory and the Astonishing Story of Researcher Luca Turin -- The Famous Madeleines: The Proust Phenomenon, a Scientific Spoliation? -- The Smell of Rain -- The Neanderthal Nose -- Mr. and Mrs. Kallmann Have a Son: When Losing Your Nose and Losing Your Gonads Go Hand in Hand -- Whiplash, or Losing Your Sense of Smell Following a Head Injury -- Phantom Odors -- These Odors That Make Your Head Hurt -- The Sleeper's Nose -- Surströmming: The Worst Odor in the World? -- It Smells Like Cheese -- What Fennel Reveals to Us -- Mustard Goes Up My Nose and Onions Make Me Cry: Discovering a Third Unknown Chemical Sense -- Lavender at the Dentist: Aromatherapy, a Myth or a Reality? -- Catnip and Pregnant Women: Some Variations in Sensitivity to Odors -- If You Eat Too Much Fat, You Will Lose Your Sense of Smell -- Experts' Noses -- Filled with Smells -- Obesity and Chocolate -- The Nose on the Plate: A Difficult Scientific Consensus -- The Smell of a Hot Croissant: When Our Sense of Smell Nibbles Away at Our Free Will -- The Dog That …