Human sense of smell is faster than previously thought, study suggests

The human sense of smell has been underestimated historically; recent research reveals we are far more sensitive to odor variations than previously realized. According to Dr. Wen Zhou, co-author of this research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, olfactory perception operates much faster than we thought. The study indicates that just like we can differentiate rapidly changing colors, we too can effectively detect swift alterations in odors.

Traditionally, the scientific community has delivered a rather bleak outlook on the human sense of smell, influenced by Darwin's assertion regarding its limited utility. However, current findings challenge this notion, revealing that our ability to perceive complex scents is more intricate and responsive than prior assumptions. Researchers adapted an innovative apparatus, demonstrating that humans can accurately perceive odors arriving at intervals as short as 18 milliseconds.

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