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Rapamycin extends mouse lifespan 9–14%
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How Smell, Taste & Pheromones Shape Behavior | Huberman Lab Essentials — Whalespan

Content›Video›How Smell, Taste & Pheromone…

How Smell, Taste & Pheromones Shape Behavior | Huberman Lab Essentials

Andrew Huberman34m · 2025-05-01

Claims Made

56

Claims Supported

52

Support Rate

93%

Support rate

52 of 56 claims supported

52 supported4 partial / not

Claims from this content

44

✓Well SupportedNasal breathing is associated with improved memory recall and overall cognitive function compared to mouth breathing.✓Well SupportedThe Vandenbergh effect, which involves a novel, sexually competent male triggering puberty activation in females, is of relevance to discussions about puberty.✓Well SupportedThe protective effect of the impregnated male's scent against spontaneous miscarriage in pregnant females is lost if he is absent and a novel male appears.✓Well SupportedInhaling, even without a specific scent, can activate brain systems for detecting stimuli and increase alertness.Well Supported

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AV

A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

NP

N. Park

2d

Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

✓

During exhales, memory formation and retrieval are reduced, fear response is decreased, and movement is enhanced.

✓Well SupportedHumans often touch their eyes within seconds of meeting and shaking hands.

✓Well SupportedSniffing peppermint or minty scents can increase attention and create an arousal response.

✓Well SupportedFemale sweat and pheromones can modulate menstrual cycle patterns.

✓Well SupportedHumans subconsciously evaluate their chemical environment through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin transfer.

✓Well SupportedSniffing and inhaling powerfully affect alertness, attention, focus, and memory.

◐Partially SupportedThe brain can distinguish between basic tastes within 100 milliseconds of the substance touching the tongue.

◐Partially SupportedOlfactory neurons extend from the olfactory bulb through the skull into the nasal mucosal lining.

◐Partially SupportedChemical signaling between individuals communicates biological information and shapes each other's biology through molecule exchange.

◐Partially SupportedHuman tears can suppress brain areas involved in sexual desire and male testosterone levels.

◐Partially SupportedThe primary evolutionary purpose of the taste systems is to guide ingestion of beneficial substances and avoidance of harmful ones.

◐Partially SupportedOlfactory neurons send signals into the brain via three distinct pathways, one of which is for innate odor responses that are hardwired from birth.

◐Partially SupportedThe tongue possesses receptors that can sense fat, which is vital for nervous system and organ function.

◐Partially SupportedChemicals produced by humans, such as those in tears, on skin, and in sweat and breath, can powerfully modulate the biology and internal state of other individuals.

◐Partially SupportedEnhancing one's sense of smell through interaction with odors and focusing on inhalation can help create new neurons after a head injury.

◐Partially SupportedThe ability to smell and taste is a strong indicator of brain health because olfactory neurons are continuously replenished throughout life.

◐Partially SupportedHumans may possess a vestigial Jacobson's organ (vomeronasal organ) involved in pheromonal signaling.

◐Partially SupportedRegaining sense of smell and taste can indicate brain damage or inform recovery from concussion.

◐Partially SupportedThe Coolidge effect, observed in rodents and roosters, demonstrates that a new sexual partner can restore mating ability and desire after exhaustion.

◐Partially SupportedInteracting with odors and inhaling more can enhance olfactory and taste abilities.

✕Not SupportedSniffing ammonia salts too closely can damage the olfactory epithelium and potentially vision.

◐Partially SupportedThe mouth and tongue act as an extension of the digestive tract with a chemical sensing apparatus.

◐Partially SupportedSalty taste receptors detect electrolytes, which are vital for nervous system and body function.

◐Partially SupportedBitter taste receptors at the back of the tongue trigger a gagging reflex to expel potentially harmful substances.

◐Partially SupportedOlfactory neurons in the brain are involved in learned associations with odors, often linked to nurturing and safe feelings.

◐Partially SupportedThe olfactory system includes pathways that respond to odorants evoking desire and appetitive or approach behaviors, requiring no learning.

◐Partially SupportedThe olfactory pathway for smoke detection projects to the amygdala, triggering alertness or wakefulness.

◐Partially SupportedRecovery of sense of smell can partially gauge recovery from a concussion or head injury.

◐Partially SupportedThe five primary tastes are sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami, and all taste receptors are intermixed across the entire tongue.

◐Partially SupportedOlfactory dysfunction is common after traumatic brain injury and significantly impacts quality of life.

◐Partially SupportedSweet taste receptors signal the presence of energy in food.

◐Partially SupportedFocusing on nasal breathing during focused work that does not require speaking or eating can be beneficial for most people.

✕Not SupportedSmelling salts (ammonia) are effective for waking the brain but are generally not recommended for everyday use due to their toxicity.

◐Partially SupportedThe papillae on the tongue contain dents and indentations that increase surface area, allowing for a higher density of taste receptors.

◐Partially SupportedUmami taste signals the presence of amino acids, which are essential for the gut and digestive system.

◐Partially SupportedSmelling salts, primarily containing ammonia, can powerfully wake up the brain and body by triggering innate pathways from the nose to the amygdala.

◐Partially SupportedThe nervous system uses general mechanisms involving molecules like adrenaline and epinephrine to evoke arousal and attention.

◐Partially SupportedExercise, blood flow, social interactions, and exposure to various odorants can increase olfactory neuron neurogenesis.

◐Partially SupportedSour taste receptors detect poisonous substances and trigger a 'pucker response' via the brainstem.

◐Partially SupportedOlfactory dysfunction can result from traumatic brain injury due to cribriform plate shearing of olfactory neuron wires.