For many, death is a mysterious and unsettling concept. Strangely, science indicates that our sense of smell might be a way to sense approaching death. Our noses can hint at death, both in others and as a sign of our own health issues.
Smelling Death in Others
There are many stories of people detecting a certain smell before a loved one passed away. This anecdotal evidence suggests a link between our sense of smell and death. There are theories that the body gives off certain scents as death nears, or that smell is tied to emotional shifts. Although scientific proof is scarce, some studies show animals can detect chemical changes in sick people, making it possible humans with a good sense of smell can detect death too.
Smell Loss as a Health Sign
Losing our sense of smell can be a sign of future health problems. Studies show that a decline in olfactory function is linked to neurodegenerative, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases. The olfactory system often weakens before other symptoms of these diseases, so it can be an early warning. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society shows that older adults with a poor sense of smell are more likely to die within five years.