Link between position and sense of smell revealed

Researchers have found that one can smell better when one is upright than when he is reclining.

Humans tend to pick up better sense of smell when they are sitting or standing.

Johan Lundstrom, a post-doctoral researcher at the Montreal Neurological Institute said that there is a significant difference in the sense of smell depending on one’s position.

Researchers at the McGill University institute conducted a study on 36 healthy men and women to identify their response to 16 different strong concentrations of phenyl ethyl alcohol.

This is a chemical that smells like roses.

Subjects were asked to sit and then lie down to test their sensitivity of smell recognition.

It is surprising to find that 64 % could smell better when upright in a chair but those in the reclining position needed a stronger concentration.

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Marilyn Jones-Gotman, neuropsychologist, head of the institute's chemical senses laboratory said that other studies show that the reclining position reduces senses connected to the brain, including hearing and spacial perception.

But this study is one of a kind to link the position and sense of smell.

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