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Bottling the smell of happiness to help treat depression
It may sound like something out of a fantasy movie , but scientists hope to be able to bottle the smell of happiness so it can be used to help people with phobias or depression .
by Alex Whiting
Our bodies produce different scents when we feel happy or afraid . These so-called chemosignals – which are in fact odourless – are believed to trigger happiness or fear in others . It is one of the ways smell impacts people ’ s social interactions .
‘ It ’ s like an emotional contagion . If I feel fear , my body odour will be smelt by people around me and they may start to feel fear themselves , unconsciously ,’ said Enzo Pasquale Scilingo , a professor at the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Pisa , Italy .
Similarly , the smell of happiness can inspire a positive state in other people , says Prof . Scilingo .
‘ If we had a spray of happiness … If we can find some odour which can induce a happy state – or a general positive state – I think we can help many , many people ,’ Prof . Scilingo said .
He hopes scientists can produce one within a few years . This could be particularly important in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic , with cases of depression rising especially among young people .
‘ I don ’ t want to say having this spray will ( cure ) people , but I think it ’ s a very beautiful contribution ,’ Prof . Scilingo said .