Richmond Leader

Love is in the air, and it’s not because we’re still feeling the wonders of Valentine’s Day; our sense of smell is actually a critical factor in determining attraction.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the olfactory system is a crucial element in human awareness of sex, particularly due to the link between smell and memory.

“The characteristic smell of a person’s perfume, cologne or the scent of their shampoo or soap is important to sexual arousal,” the Cleveland Clinic states. “The smell of human perspiration also has a direct effect on sexual receptors in the brain. And loss of smell correlates with decreased sexual drive.”

The nose is a critical organ and plays a big role in every aspect of life, from falling in love to protecting you from danger, according to ear, nose, and throat specialist Michael Benninger, MD.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that pheromones are another area of interest in studying the link between smell, physical attraction, and sexual arousal. These are key to the systems that allow animals to reproduce, and are deeply tied to how humans interact with others.

Humans, like most animals, possess a vomeronasal organ (VNO), an accessory organ tied to our olfactory system. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the VNO can be found at the “base of your nasal septum (in the roof of your mouth)”.

And while in humans it no longer plays a major part in our direct sense of smell, Benninger said there are some indications that it may retain a functional role in determining sexual attraction.

“In humans, the VNO is largely vestigial or non-functional, acting as an old remnant like your appendix. But some researchers believe that it still plays a role in pheromone and other chemical communication."

“It’s amazing how many of our body functions are directed toward sexual activity and reproduction,” Benninger said.

To make sure your nose is functioning properly, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.