What is old people smell? And is the internet wrong about it?

#186

In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the common notion that elderly people have a distinct smell. They delve into the scientific basis behind this observation, discussing the role of volatile organic compounds, fatty acids on our skin, and how these compounds can change with age. The episode features discussions on different studies that have attempted to identify specific compounds associated with 'old people smell' and debates their findings. It also touches upon cultural and dietary influences on body odor, the impact of hygiene practices, and the psychological aspects of scent perception. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the influence of other environmental factors like hospital scents on our perception of 'old people smell.' The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion on favorite smells, emphasizing the complexity and variability of human olfactory experiences.

00:00 Introduction to the Mystery of the Elderly Scent

00:41 Diving Into the Science: What Causes the Elderly Scent?

01:25 Community Shoutout and Listener Contributions

03:48 Exploring the Chemistry of Skin and Aging

07:37 Scientific Studies and the Debate Over Elderly Scent

15:17 Cultural Factors and the Universality of Elderly Scent

21:29 Concluding Thoughts on the Science of Scent and Aging

23:22 Exploring the Science of Smell and Age

23:54 Perceptions and Variables in Smell Research

24:42 Personal Anecdotes and Smell Associations

26:24 Consumer Products and Their Influence on Smell

29:05 The Debate Over Persimmon Soap

32:00 Skepticism Towards Marketing Claims

35:09 Favorite Smells and Personal Memories

References from this Episode

https://scholar-google-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/citations?hl=en&user=5fCySaUAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/well/live/do-older-people-have-a-different-smell.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2574753/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3364187/
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-202X(15)41198-4
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/old-person-smell/
https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/1at59dv/why_doesnt_regular_soap_work_on_nonenal_old/
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/unftyx/til_what_causes_old_people_smell_as_our_skin/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

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