The smell of old people is a real thing, and that's why it happens

The smell of old people is a real thing, and that's why it happens

The “smell of old age” – a term that most people have heard and that some may even associate with age – is a scientifically recognized phenomenon. It is not just a product of a myth or a derogatory stereotype, but a real, tangible experience, the mechanism of which is an interesting subject of research in the scientific community. In Japan, this distinct smell is referred to as Kareishu1.

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Our understanding of this “smell of aging” is deepening with a groundbreaking study2 that provided evidence supporting the notion that humans, like other animals, can distinguish age based solely on body odor.

Uncovering the Smell of Aging: A Fascinating Experiment

To explore this fascinating aspect of human sensory perception, a study has developed a fascinating experiment. They recruited volunteers from different age groups and had them sleep in T-shirts with armpit pads for five nights in a row. The goal? To collect each individual's body odors.

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The sweat-soaked pads were cut and placed into separate jars. Then came the most exciting part: a group of lucky volunteers between the ages of 20 and 30 were asked to rate the “pleasantness” of the smells and estimate the age of the donor.

The results of this experiment suggest that people can distinguish age based on body odor. The unique smell of older people, often referred to as “old people smell” or “nursing home smell,” appeared to be a cross-cultural phenomenon that is widely recognized regardless of geographic or racial differences.

The perception of the “old person smell”: Not necessarily unpleasant

Contrary to popular belief that this unique smell is associated with discomfort, the younger test subjects found the older people's armpit smell to be rather neutral and not particularly unpleasant. This discovery by the study's lead author, Johan Lundström, a sensory neuroscientist, was surprising.

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Lundström further mentioned that the smell given off by other parts of the body, such as the skin or breath, may have different qualities. This implies that a comprehensive understanding of “old people smell” may include more than just armpit odors.

The Biological Components Behind the “Old People Smell”

A separate study3 identified the odor-causing compound 2-nonenal, described as an “unsaturated aldehyde with an unpleasant greasy and grassy odor,” as well as specific skin lipids that tend to increase with age. The presence of these elements indicates their possible role in the development of the pronounced smell of old age.@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-healthy_holistic_living_com-large-leaderboard-2-0-asloaded{max-width:336px!important;max-height:280px!important;}}

The Purpose of “Old People’s Smell”: An Evolutionary Perspective

Lundström's team tentatively suggested a possible evolutionary purpose for this phenomenon. Like other animals, humans can extract signals from body odors that allow us to determine biological age, avoid sick individuals, select a suitable mate, and distinguish relatives from non-relatives. This ability could improve our chances of survival and reproductive success, as shown by certain insects where older males are preferred over younger ones, indicating their adaptive skills that have allowed them to survive into old age.

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Final Remarks: The search for knowledge continues

While these results greatly improve our understanding of “old man smell,” further studies are needed to determine the exact cause of this smell and the benefits it may provide to humans.

These studies illustrate the complicated and sophisticated workings of our bodies and how our sensory perceptions can gather meaningful information about our surroundings and those around us. The more we delve into the realm of these seemingly insignificant details, the closer we come to understanding the complex symphony of life and human existence.

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