Smell the Threat: New Research Finds Neurons 'Learning' to Assess Danger

In spy movies, the main character, side character, or villain may resort to their catchphrases which claim that they "smell a threat coming," and see them sniffing around like it is their business. However, in a new research, this is something scientists are trying to discover, particularly with a neuron in a person's brain capable of assessing danger.

To assess is not to simply see anymore, as people may use their other senses in looking into situations to determine if they are safe or in danger, especially in unknown environments.

Neurons 'Learning' to Smell the Threat

According to a research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, it has found a brain neuron that learns the smell of a threat and may affect people in how to act accordingly to it. This is called the accessory olfactory system or AOS, and its learning process is called "neuroplasticity," an event where it helps change a person's response to a certain situation.

The team used mice for the experiment and observed their response to said threats whenever faced with one. It has been found that there is a process happening when presented with a new smell, and it goes into an immediate threat assessment which is neither fearful nor safe.

Neuroscience News said that the researchers claimed the mice brain's inhibitory neurons become highly active when meeting with another male and increase territorial aggression.

How Does it Affect Behavior?

The researchers claimed that it could change a person's behavior, and instead of showing aggression, it will divert to "behavioral responses" to social threats. The study found that it lies on the cellular function in the pheromone-sensing circuity of the brain, with the mice as its test subjects which display what happens.

This may be related to people perceiving smells that are familiar already, or with first encounters, one that would help change the way the situation would be addressed and tread carefully towards it.

Sense of Smell's Power

The nose is powerful, and it is because it is capable of detecting smells, musks, or odors that would alert the brain and may help a person proceed better in addressing it. According to a previous research, people with a keen sense of smell may have better enjoyment of sexual activities, particularly as it helps people perceive more and lead to better conclusions.

Moreover, another study suggests that losing one's sense of smell may be related to future memory loss or developing the notorious brain illness known as Dementia. According to the study, losing one's olfactory sense may be signs of a mild cognitive impairment, Lewy body, vascular dementia, or Alzheimer's disease.

A person's nose is a powerful organ, and it helps better in enjoying different experiences or perceiving more of the situation, depending on the setup they are in. In this new research from the University of Rochester, smell is power, and it gives people an advantage in learning more about the situation and assessing danger, when presented with certain smells.