Are there smells that are universally pleasant to humans?
Just thought of this after reading a “fresh air” question. Do you think there are some smells that every human would find pleasant? If so, what would they be?
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Do you ever expect 100 percent of people to agree on anything?
Bread and other bakery items being baked.
It would be from an evolutionary / instinctive point of view @Adirondackwannabe. For example, I think it’s universal that humans do not like the smell of rotting meat. I think it’s universal that we would shy away from a dead human body.
@2davidc8 – how about the smell of a baby baked in a roll? ;)
I would guess at Vanilla and possibly citrus. (as long as they’re from natural sources as opposed to chemicals concocted in a labroratory to (supposedly) mimic the scent.
This is based upon the fact that these two scents are the most commonly used in a wide variety of products (such as candles, cleaning products, air sprays etc. ) Well, you get the point.
According to a 1995 study by Allen Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Research Center, the most sexually arousing aroma for women was a mix of Good & Plenty and cucumber.
Dutton, Judy (2010). Secrets from the Sex Lab. Random House LLC. pp. 49–50. ISBN 9780767930291
Chocolate, coffee & hickory smoke
Popcorn – is there anyone who doesn’t like the smell of popcorn?
Cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven.
@syz
What great links. And the top four on the list were all citrus based. Really interesting.
I’m allergic to lavender.
clean water must smell good. Or rain water.
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