Despite advances in research and technology, certain aspects of the human body remain a mystery. One such mystery is the ability to sense approaching death. Recent research reveals that, like animals, humans can detect the scent of putrescine, a foul odor released during decomposition. This scent triggers subconscious reactions, such as avoidance or heightened alertness.
Researchers Arnaud Wisman and Ilan Shira found that exposure to putrescine causes humans to instinctively move away, similar to animals sensing danger. While people aren’t consciously aware of the smell or its link to death, it influences their behavior. Unlike pheromones, which often evoke attraction, putrescine prompts avoidance and vigilance, highlighting the human body’s instinctual survival mechanisms.
